Sam Walker tops off NRL glory with Kangaroos call-up for Rugby League World Cup
Sam Walker was named among six debutants in the 23‑man Australia squad announced by coach Kevin Walters for the Rugby League World Cup, with Sydney Roosters halfback Walker joining Isaah Yeo, who was appointed captain…
Source: Guardian Sport · October 5, 2026 at 4:32 AM · AI-assisted report
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SYDNEY, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —
Sam Walker was named among six debutants in the 23‑man Australia squad announced by coach Kevin Walters for the Rugby League World Cup, with Sydney Roosters halfback Walker joining Isaah Yeo, who was appointed captain and will delay pectoral surgery to lead the Kangaroos in the home tournament that opens with Australia versus New Zealand on 15 October in Sydney.
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Walters said the selection gives the team a balance of strike power, experience, size, power and speed, and described the upcoming World Cup as a huge test that will require the side to be at its best to win the trophy, noting he has never before seen such talent spread across the top nations.
Walker, fresh from NRL premiership glory with the Roosters, will compete for a halves spot alongside Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses, while Brisbane star Reece Walsh was also selected and will vie for the fullback position with Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco, and Latrell Mitchell returned to the Test team after overcoming recent injuries.
The Jillaroos squad was announced by coach Jess Skinner on Monday, with Sydney Roosters women’s captain Isabelle Kelly named as the team’s first‑time captain; Skinner said selection was incredibly competitive and there were very difficult decisions, but she believes the group offers the balance and versatility needed for a World Cup campaign, adding that what excites her most is the mix of experience and emerging talent and the different strengths each player brings, and that the squad now has the responsibility to come together, represent the jersey with pride and make the most of the opportunity to play a World Cup on home soil.
The Women’s Rugby League World Cup will begin on 16 October with the hosts facing Samoa at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, and the NRLW premiership‑winning Roosters contribute eight players to the Jillaroos, including potential debutants Sariah Paki and Jocelyn Kelleher, while North Queensland Cowboys prop Makenzie Weale is the third uncapped player and the Brisbane Broncos have supplied three players, among them three‑time Dally M medallist Tamika Upton.
The Kangaroos squad announced by Walters consists of: Isaah Yeo (captain), Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blake Brailey, Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cam Munster, Cam Murray, Jacob Preston, Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic and Sam Walker, Reece Walsh.
The Jillaroos squad announced by Skinner consists of: Isabelle Kelly (captain), Tarryn Aiken, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Abbi Church, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Tiana Penitani Gray, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Keilee Joseph, Jocelyn Kelleher, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Sariah Paki, Julia Robinson, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton and Makenzie Weale.
Skinner described being a Jillaroo as “one of the highest honours in our game” and said, “Selection was incredibly competitive and there were some very difficult decisions, but we believe this group gives us the balance, and versatility we need for a World Cup campaign,” adding, “What excites me most is the mix of experience and emerging talent, and the different strengths each player brings.
We now have the responsibility to come together, represent the jersey with pride and make the most of the opportunity to play a World Cup on home soil.”