Australia has announced its squads for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, set to take place from October 15 to November 15 across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Isaah Yeo of the Penrith Panthers was named captain of the men's team, choosing to delay pectoral surgery in order to lead the defending champions in the tournament. The squad features a mix of experienced players and six debutants, reflecting coach Kevin Walters’ focus on balancing skill, power, and experience.
Yeo, who sustained a torn pectoral muscle during Penrith’s campaign, told reporters that he felt confident in his ability to perform despite the injury, emphasizing his commitment to contribute at the highest level. He will captain Australia in their opening group match against New Zealand in Sydney on October 16. Walters, who is concluding his tenure as coach after the World Cup before moving to English club St Helens, praised the depth of talent across all teams, calling this World Cup one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Among the experienced returnees is Latrell Mitchell, South Sydney Rabbitohs’ center, who comes back to the Kangaroos after being sidelined for over three months with a nerve injury. Mitchell last represented Australia in the 2022 World Cup final, where he scored twice in the Kangaroos’ 30-10 victory over Samoa. Other notable selections include James Tedesco, fresh off leading the Sydney Roosters to an NRL title, and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic, who has also returned following recent injury setbacks.
The squad also includes promising newcomers such as Roosters halfback Sam Walker, who secured a spot amid intense competition for playmaking positions. Walker is one of three Sydney Roosters players selected, alongside Tedesco and prop Lindsay Collins. The halves group will see Walker competing for playing time with Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, and Mitchell Moses.
Australia’s group stage features matches against New Zealand, Fiji, and the Cook Islands. The tournament’s 10 teams are divided into three groups, with England, Samoa, and Lebanon in Group B, and Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and France in Group C.
Separate from the men’s team, Australia’s women’s Rugby League World Cup squad was also unveiled. Isabelle Kelly of the Sydney Roosters will captain the Jillaroos, who open their campaign against Samoa on October 16, followed by matches against England and Wales. The squad includes players primarily from the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters. Notably, veteran Ali Brigginshaw, a standout player whose career spans several World Cups, was omitted from the final selection, a decision acknowledged by coach Jess Skinner as difficult. Brigginshaw recently retired following the NRLW season where her team was defeated in the grand final by the Roosters.
The Jillaroos team also features Jesse Southwell and Jesse Elliott, both of whom have announced retirements following the NRLW season. Among the selected players is Sariah Paki, a former rugby sevens international, who has transitioned successfully to rugby league and earned selection as a forward.
Both the men's and women's Australian squads face a challenging World Cup field with strong competition expected from traditional rivals and emerging teams alike.