Big guns back for Australia's Rugby League World Cup defence / Photo: Izhar KHAN - AFP
Big guns back for Australia's Rugby League World Cup defence
Penrith star Isaah Yeo was named captain Monday for Australia's defence of their Rugby League World Cup title this month, while the experienced Latrell Mitchell returns after a long absence.
Coach Kevin Walters also included six debutants in a 23-man squad for the tournament from October 15-November 15 in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
"I'm really happy with the balance of the squad. We have some real strike power and a significant amount of experience, along with size, power and speed," said Walters.
"This will be a huge Test. I have never before seen the amount of talent spread across the top nations. We are going to need to be at our best to take out the World Cup."
It is a slimmed-down competition featuring 10 teams with 12-time winners Australia in Group A alongside New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
England headline Group B with Samoa and Lebanon, while Tonga, Papua New Guinea and France fill out Group C.
Having South Sydney centre Mitchell available after being sidelined for three-and-a-half months with a debilitating nerve injury is a massive bonus for Australia.
He is set for his first Kangaroos appearance since the 2022 World Cup final, where he scored a double in Australia's 30-10 victory over Samoa.
"He's a big-game player, he can do some special things, Latrell," said Walters, who is leaving the job after the World Cup to take over at English powerhouse St Helens.
Other notable returns include James Tedesco, who earned a recall after leading the Sydney Roosters to Australia's National Rugby League title on Sunday, and Manly outside back Tom Trbojevic.
Yeo will delay pectoral surgery to lead the team out in their group stage opener in Sydney against New Zealand on October 16.
"I've been up front and honest with Kevvie and it's (the injury) feeling good and I would only put my hand up if I thought I could contribute and perform at the level that's needed for our country," Yeo said.
Australia squad
Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights), Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Blayke Brailey (Cronulla Sharks), Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys), Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans) David Fifita (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jacob Preston (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles), Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters), Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos), Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
L.Bonetti--GdR
