Walters lays down challenge as Kangaroos chase statement win
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Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has challenged his side to make a World Cup statement against Cook Islands on Saturday night after two patchy performances to open the tournament.
Australia are the only team so far to have booked their place in the semi-finals but have been below their best in wins over New Zealand and Fiji.
It took a Jack Bostock hat-trick to overcome the Kiwis in front of a record crowd in the tournament opener before a 24-point burst saw the Kangaroos turn a 16-12 deficit midway through the second half into a 36-22 victory over the Bati last Sunday night.
Australia v Fiji Bati, Round 2, 2026
So while Saturday's clash with Cook Islands in Townsville could be viewed as a chance to try out some new combinations, it has instead become a final chance for Australia to find their stride before the knockout games begin.
Experienced forward Liam Martin conceded the side has been below their best and said Walters has made it clear he expects better moving forward.
"He's challenged every individual to step up," Martin told reporters in Townsville. "It's a long tournament, you want to be playing your best footy at the back end.
"As long as we keep improving, keep pushing each other at training, keep getting better, I know we've got our best footy in front of us."
Match: Australia v Cook Islands
Round 3 -
home Team
Australia
1st Position
away Team
Cook Islands
4th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Martin's comments come after the forward pack struggled to lay the platform up front in each of the past two weeks.
New Zealand forwards Naufahu Whyte and James Fisher-Harris ensured the Kangaroos were always on the backfoot in the tournament opener.
Then last week an unheralded Fiji pack took it to the Australians and caught many by surprise with their physicality.
Yeo and Fisher-Harris react to epic opener
It's a warning of what's to come over the next few weeks with the Kangaroos likely to face either Tonga or Samoa in the semi-final at Allianz Stadium.
Tonga have built their team around star forwards Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake while Samoan prop Spencer Leniu is in career-best form and single-handedly turned last week's clash with PNG in his team's favour.
"It's going to be a challenge," Reuben Cotter said. "It's all to do with our start. [Against Fiji] we started well but then a quick ruck suited their style of footy and we were too passive in contact.
"There are some things to go over and we definitely can't do that against Tonga, [Samoa] and the Kiwis as well. We'll take our lessons from the win.
"It's a tough physical game and the talent is high right now with all the other countries. [The semi-final] is going to be a tough game and we've got to go up a few gears."
The first three weeks of the World Cup have provided Walters with a difficult juggling act as he incorporates new players into his squad, rests senior players and builds combinations.
The coach has made a host of changes to his side for Saturday's clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with Walters selecting a completely new starting forward pack in a near full-strength team.
Captain Isaah Yeo headlines the list of big names to return, while Reece Walsh is back at fullback and Cameron Munster returns to the halves.
What you need to know out of the Round 3 teams
Ethan Strange has been named in jumper No.14 and is set to be the seventh Kangaroo to make his debut during the tournament.
The 22-year-old was holidaying in Thailand when he received the call from Walters saying he had been selected to replace injured halfback Mitchell Moses.
Strange quickly jumped on a flight to Queensland and is desperate to achieve his childhood dream on Saturday night.
"It means everything," Strange said. "To be a 22-year-old kid playing for Australia is pretty cool, not a lot of people get to do it.
"My dream was just to play in the NRL, I didn't ever think I'd end up here so it's pretty cool.
"[Coming off the bench] you've got to be prepared to play anywhere. Wherever the opportunity comes, I'll just go out and play footy."
Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Don't miss your chance to watch the Kangaroos live in Townsville. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
