Cleary loses untouchable status and huge returns loom: Kangaroos World Cup State of Play

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WINGERS

Incumbent: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Josh Addo-Carr

Contenders: Xavier Coates, Zac Lomax, Valentine Holmes, Selwyn Cobbo, Campbell Graham

Analysis: Both Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax missed the Ashes series due to injuries, with Josh Addo-Carr called into the squad as replacement. Addo-Carr scored a try in the final game and showed he still has it what it takes to play at the highest level, but with Coates and Lomax available he would slide down the pecking order; subject to a potential switch by Lomax to R360. Mark Nawaqanitawase became the 49th dual rugby international when he made his debut in the Ashes but after opting to return to union at the end of next season, his short-term future as a Kangaroo is over.

Verdict: Xavier Coates (locked in), Zac Lomax (up for grabs)

CENTRES

Incumbents: Gehamat Shibasaki and Kotoni Staggs

Contenders: Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Valentine Holmes, Bradman Best, Matt Burton, Campbell Graham, Jack Howarth

Analysis: Another position that has been decimated by injury in recent times with Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic and Valentine Holmes all unavailable for the Ashes due to injury; while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow also committed his international future to Samoa. It paved the way for Shibasaki to make his Australia debut, capping off a fairytale season that began on a train-and-trial deal and finished playing in all three Ashes Tests. He and Broncos teammate Kotoni Staggs will face a tough challenge in holding down their spots with Mitchell, Trbojevic and Holmes fit and firing, while Best was a late squad inclusion for the Ashes and both Burton and Graham have played Test football previously. Neither of the incumbents earned automatic pick status in England but Staggs’ star feels like it has risen, while keep an eye out for Mitchell to make a comeback to the green and gold for the first time since 2022, pending a revival at South Sydney. Few players can produce a big moment like Latrell.

Verdict: Latrell Mitchell (up for grabs) and Kotoni Staggs (up for grabs)

FIVE-EIGHTH

Incumbent: Cameron Munster

Contenders: Tom Dearden and Ethan Strange

Analysis: Munster has had a stranglehold on this position since making his debut in 2017, and maintained it by winning Ashes player of the series honours, but the gap is getting closer after Tom Dearden guided the Maroons to an unlikely Origin series win, earning the Wally Lewis Medal. The Cowboys half injected himself nicely in limited opportunities off the bench in the Ashes. If he can get the Cowboys to contenders in 2026 and replicate his Origin form, there is no doubt he can once again nab a bench spot and put pressure on Munster. Meanwhile, Ethan Strange continues his meteoric rise. The Roos rookie was named Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year in just second full season and earned a call-up to the Kangaroos squad. Despite not featuring on tour, the 21-year-old is definitely earmarked as a future long-term option.

Verdict: Cameron Munster (locked in)

HALFBACK

Incumbent: Nathan Cleary

Contenders: Mitchell Moses and Tom Dearden

Analysis: Nathan Cleary has done it all in club land but still is yet to dominate at the representative level. Despite Australia’s convincing series win, Cleary again failed to stamp his authority on the series, with calls growing for him to be replaced by Mitchell Moses; dual international Mat Rogers declared that “Mitchell Moses is a better halfback than him (Cleary)”. The Parramatta and NSW Origin series-winning halfback was one of six players on the tour who didn’t feature across the three games. Cleary still remains the game’s best halfback and deserves that mantle after guiding the Panthers to four straight premierships and a dominant Origin series next year would all but lock him in for the World Cup — but he’s not untouchable.

Verdict: Nathan Cleary (up for grabs)

HOOKER

Incumbent: Harry Grant

Contenders: Blayke Brailey, Reece Robson, Connor Watson, Ben Hunt

Analysis: The hooker is arguably the easiest position to pick, with Harry Grant locked in on a long-term mortgage. Grant was named man of the match in the final Ashes Test, with two line breaks and a try assist in the Aussies’ 30-8 win. Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey appears to have usurped Reece Robson after an outstanding season and could battle for a bench spot if the Kangaroos go down the path of playing two hookers.

Verdict: Harry Grant (locked in)

PROPS

Incumbents: Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Contenders: Keaon Koloamatangi, Mitch Barnett, Lindsay Collins, Lindsay Smith, Corey Horsburgh, Max King

Analysis: Just months after losing the No.1 prop in the game to Samoa, there is talk that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could join Payne Haas in defecting from Australia. “I think Tino is 50-50 right now” his manager Simon Mammino said. The Kangaroos unleashed back-rower turned prop Keaon Koloamatangi after his remarkable season with the Rabbitohs, but he too is a chance of defecting Australia and turning out for Tonga, who he has already represented 10 times. Big men Lindsay Smith and Lindsay Collins will again be in the frame, after Collins played all three Ashes Tests and Smith filled admirably when Yeo was out with concussion. NSW prop Max King could come into contention if the defections perpetuate.

Verdict: Patrick Carrigan (locked in) and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (locked in*)

SECOND-ROWERS

Incumbents: Angus Crichton and Hudson Young

Contenders: Cameron Murray, Liam Martin, Reuben Cotter, Jacob Preston

Analysis: Angus Crichton was outstanding in the Ashes, while Hudson Young scored a try in the final two Tests in a mostly impressive display after being one of the second-rowers in the Dally M Team of the Year. Liam Martin hasn’t played for the Kangaroos since 2023 after he withdrew from the Ashes due to the birth of his first child. When fit and available, the Panthers star is one of the game’s best players, with a Clive Churchill Medal to his credit plus a World Cup semi-final man of the match award to his credit from the last tournament. While Young gave a fair account of himself, Martin is the one to watch.

Verdict: Angus Crichton (locked in) and Liam Martin (up for grabs)

LOCK

Incumbent: Isaah Yeo (c)

Contenders: Patrick Carrigan, Cameron Murray, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Analysis: Along with Harry Grant, Isaah Yeo is another certainty for the World Cup despite a tough Ashes in which he was concussed early in the first Test, before returning for the game-three dead rubber. He will however have some greater competition next year with the return of South Sydney captain Cameron Murray, who missed all but the last round with an Achilles injury. Murray has played 10 Tests and likely would have secured a bench spot if available.

Verdict: Isaah Yeo (locked in)

BENCH

Incumbents: Tom Dearden, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi

Contenders: Cameron Murray, Matt Burton, Mitchell Barnett, Keaon Koloamatangi, Ethan Strange, Lindsay Collins, Ben Hunt, Reece Robson, Connor Watson

Analysis: The bench appears to be a real conundrum for the Kangaroos and obviously a lot hinges on who Fa’asuamaleaui and Koloamatangi will represent. Collins is an experienced performer and a genuine big body who always does his job, while Cotter is another who reliably turns up on the big stage, though is another smaller body alongside the returning Murray. There is also some conjecture over the utility spot — whether the Kangaroos stick with a replacement half in Dearden, go with an extra hooker or opt for a genuine utility like Matt Burton.

Verdict: Tom Dearden (up for grabs), Lindsay Collins (locked in), Reuben Cotter (up for grabs), Cameron Murray (up for grabs)

INCUMBENT KANGAROOS TEAM

1. Reece Walsh

2. Mark Nawaqanitawase

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Gehamat Shibasaki

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Cameron Munster

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Patrick Carrigan

9. Harry Grant

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Angus Crichton

12. Hudson Young

13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Tom Dearden

15. Lindsay Collins

16. Reuben Cotter

17. Keaon Koloamatangi

POSSIBLE KANGAROOS WORLD CUP TEAM

1. Reece Walsh (up for grabs)

2. Xavier Coates (locked in)

3. Kotoni Staggs (up for grabs)

4. Latrell Mitchell (up for grabs)

5. Zac Lomax (up for grabs)

6. Cameron Munster (locked in)

7. Nathan Cleary (up for grabs)

8. Patrick Carrigan (locked in)

9. Harry Grant (locked in)

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (locked in*)

11. Angus Crichton (locked in)

12. Liam Martin (up for grabs)

13. Isaah Yeo (c) (locked in)

14. Tom Dearden (up for grabs)

15. Lindsay Collins (locked in)

16. Reuben Cotter (up for grabs)

17. Cameron Murray (up for grabs)