Isaah Yeo to lead 24-man Australia squad for ABK Beer Ashes Series...
England head coach Shaun Wane has welcomed the confirmation of Australia’s 24-strong squad for the first Rugby League Ashes series since 2003.
Kevin Walters, Wane’s Australia counterpart, announced his Kangaroos touring party overnight in Sydney, with the Penrith Panthers forward Isaah Yeo as captain and four members of Sunday’s NRL-winning Brisbane Broncos selected – including Reece Walsh, the 23-year-old full-back who won the Clive Churchill Medal as Player of the Match in the Broncos’ thrilling Grand Final victory over Melbourne Storm.
“It’s good to know exactly who will be coming over with the Kangaroos,” said Wane – who will name his England squad for the three-Test series next Monday, after Saturday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors.
“We’ve been studying their form and watching NRL and State of Origin games all season to make sure we can be as well-prepared as possible for the series.
“It’s been a long wait, but we’ve less than three weeks to go now until that first Test at Wembley, and I can assure Rugby League fans we’ll be fully focused and ready for that.”
Australia’s squad will arrive in London later this month, ahead of the first Test at Wembley Stadium on Saturday October 25. Tickets for that match remain available, but the second Test at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium on November 1, and the third Test at the AMT Headingley Stadium in Leeds, are both sold out.
Peter V’landys AM, the Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, said.
“This will be one of the most anticipated Kangaroo Tours in recent memory.
“The return of the Ashes after 22 years is not just a sporting event—it’s a celebration of Rugby League’s rich heritage and enduring rivalry between two countries.
“To wear the green and gold in an Ashes series is a rare honour. It’s the culmination of years hard work, sacrifice and the reward for all that stood behind every player.
“This squad will also carry the pride of a nation and the legacy of those who came before them.
“For these players, their families, and the game itself, being part of an Ashes Tour will be a lifelong memory.”
Kevin Walters added:
“The State of Origin series was highly competitive and we saw some brilliant performances from key players in the Finals Series.
“There is a mix of youth and experience and all of them have the desire to represent their country on this stage. I cannot wait to coach this squad.
“England will be a huge Test on their home soil however this squad knows what it takes to perform at the highest level and knows what it takes to win.”
The squad, listed alphabetically, is as follows:
Blayke Brailey* (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm), Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys), Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys), Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), Harry Grant (vc) (Melbourne Storm), Keaon Koloamatangi* (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Zac Lomax (Parramatta Eels), Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), Mark Nawaqanitawase* (Sydney Roosters), Jacob Preston* (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Gehamat Shibasaki* (Brisbane Broncos), Lindsay Smith (Penrith Panthers), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), Ethan Strange* (Canberra Raiders), Reece Walsh* (Brisbane Broncos), Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers), Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
*Denotes debutant
Josh Addo-Carr (Parramatta Eels) and Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights) have since replaced the injured Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax in the 24-player squad to represent the Kangaroos for the 2025 Ashes Tour.
Addo-Carr is recalled, whilst this is Best's first senior tour.
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