Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Kangaroos World Cup squad selection has moved into sharper focus after the New South Wales Blues won the State of Origin series, leaving Australia coach Kevin Walters with several major calls before the end-of-year tournament.

The Origin decider strengthened the claims of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Hudson Young, while several Queensland Maroons players remain firmly in the frame for Australia.

The representative debate now returns to club form in the National Rugby League, with South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights among the Round 19 matches carrying selection interest.

Fullback Race Still Has Layers

Reece Walsh remains the likely fullback despite pressure from Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco.

Walters was strong when asked this week whether Walsh would be Australia’s World Cup fullback.

“Yeah, 100 per cent,” he said. “He would certainly be right in the frame.”

Walters later softened that stance on SEN Radio, making clear Walsh still has to hold off two New South Wales Blues rivals.

“I said, at the moment, he’s obviously put himself, from what he did last year on the Kangaroo Tour, right in the selection,” Walters told SEN 1170 Drive.

“(And) there’s Dylan Edwards, and James Tedesco, there’s a big scramble on there between those three at the moment for the back end of the year. Reece probably won’t play in finals, so that might be hurting a little bit, but he’s a great player, and we haven’t seen a lot of that from him this year, but I’ve got a lot of respect and I love the way he plays. But also, Edwards and Tedesco equally, they’ve got different skills, so we’re pretty blessed in that position. We’ll see what happens at the back end of the year.”

Walsh has not had his smoothest club season with Brisbane Broncos, but Walters’ faith in his ceiling may prove decisive.

Wing Openings Create Selection Movement

Australia will need at least one new winger after Mark Nawaqanitawase’s switch to rugby union.

Xavier Coates’ Achilles injury has also changed the picture, leaving Selwyn Cobbo and Jojo Fifita well placed after strong Queensland Maroons campaigns.

Jacob Kiraz has been in the conversation, but his intention to represent Lebanon changes the Australian outlook.

“Do I want to be back with Lebanon for another World Cup? One hundred per cent,” Kiraz told NRL.com.

“I definitely want to play for Lebanon at the end of the year, if I get picked.”

That leaves Cobbo and Fifita as the likely pairing, with both offering power, speed and finishing ability.

Official fixtures and representative news are available through the National Rugby League.

Centres And Halves Take Shape

Kotoni Staggs is expected to stay in the centres, with Walters still a fan of what he can bring at Test level.

“I think he can have a big end of season after missing out on Origin [Game 3],” Walters said on the Kevie Walters Inside Ball podcast.

Latrell Mitchell shapes as the strongest option to partner Staggs if fit, with Bradman Best ready if Mitchell is unavailable.

At five-eighth, Cameron Munster remains the clear pick despite a quieter Origin series by his standards.

Munster’s Test experience and ability to shape big moments should keep him ahead of Tom Dearden, Ethan Strange and Matt Burton.

Nathan Cleary is the safest selection in the side after winning the 2026 Wally Lewis Medal.

“Nathan has been our number one halfback for a long time, and rightly so,” Kangaroos coach Kevin Walter said.

“But Sam Walker is challenging - he is certainly one who’s come into calculations. His form in the first two Origin games has been outstanding. Both players’ clubs are likely to feature in the finals, so this Origin game will have a significant bearing on some Kangaroos selections. Nathan is the incumbent and you’ve got to respect that, but Sam has made enormous strides since Origin started. That’s exactly what you want from an Australian point of view - strong competition and depth in key positions like halfback.”

Walker may be Australia’s long-term pressure point at halfback, but Cleary’s Origin decider made this year’s call simple.

Middle Forwards Carry Strong Incumbent Value

Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are expected to start in the front row if Fa’asuamaleaui stays with Australia.

Fa’asuamaleaui has previously kept the door open to Samoa, but before last year’s Ashes tour he explained why he remained with Australia.

“The reason I’m sticking with Australia is I feel like I have unfinished business.”

Carrigan’s work rate and Fa’asuamaleaui’s power give Walters a familiar starting platform.

Harry Grant is expected to start at hooker, with the bench hooker spot still open.

Blayke Brailey, Mitch Kenny and Wayde Egan could all push their claims if their clubs go deep in the National Rugby League finals.

Blues Back Row Changes The Picture

Angus Crichton will be unavailable after his rugby union move, but the State of Origin series may have settled the back-row debate anyway.

Hudson Young and Liam Martin were outstanding in New South Wales Blues’ victorious decider, bringing aggression and work rate on both edges.

Martin made clear how much he enjoys that partnership after the Origin win.

“I love running out with Huddy, he’s a great fella and he’s like me, he just competes,” Martin said.

That pairing now looks ready for Australia, with Dylan Lucas, Jacob Preston, Reuben Cotter and Corey Horsburgh among the bench contenders.

At lock, Isaah Yeo is almost certain to captain the side.

Yeo’s performance in the Origin decider reinforced his status as Australia’s best middle organiser, while Cameron Murray remains a strong bench option because of his speed, skill and defensive range.

Bench Battle Could Decide Final Squad Shape

The six-man bench is where Walters faces his trickiest calls.

Ethan Strange has moved into strong utility contention after his limited Origin minutes and experience on last year’s Ashes tour.

Brailey looks a neat back-up hooker option, while Reuben Cotter’s energy makes him hard to leave out.

Lindsay Smith could edge Lindsay Collins because of his ability to play prop and shift into a ball-playing middle role if required.

Cameron Murray and Tom Trbojevic would add flexibility, class and big-game experience.

The predicted Australia Kangaroos side is Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Latrell Mitchell, Jojo Fifita, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Liam Martin, Hudson Young and Isaah Yeo.

The likely bench is Blayke Brailey, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Smith, Tom Trbojevic and Ethan Strange.

If Mitchell is not fit, Best is expected to replace him in the centres.