LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Australian Kangaroos head coach Kevin Walters has officially announced his 23-man squad for the Ashes tour to England.
For the first time in over twenty years, seven newcomers will join the team, influenced heavily by performances during the finals series.
Walters, who is serving a three-game contract with the Kangaroos while also preparing for a home World Cup next year, selected six players from the grand final matchup between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm. Additionally, he included five players from the Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks, who competed in the preliminary finals the previous weekend.
Initially intended to be a 22-man squad, it was extended to 23 players after Ethan Strange's impressive season with the Canberra Raiders highlighted his deserving place in the lineup.
Walters acknowledged the challenges of finalizing the selection, especially without a warm-up match. He expressed difficulty in making choices, noting, "A couple of guys that I feel for. Particularly Matt Burton who played for Australia previously, but there were some guys who jumped out of the ground, particularly during the Origin series," during a media conference that marked the squad announcement on Monday morning.
He emphasized the desire to "reward that form," reflecting the intensity and talent displayed throughout the season.