LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters is facing criticism after deciding not to introduce new players for the third and final Ashes Test against England, opting instead to stick with the successful lineup from the first two matches.
The Australian team will take the field at Headingley largely unchanged, with captain Isaah Yeo returning from concussion to play at lock. Patrick Carrigan will shift back to prop, while Lindsay Smith will not feature on the bench.
This decision results in six players-Mitchell Moses, Bradman Best, Ethan Strange, Jacob Preston, Dylan Edwards, and Blayke Brailey-heading home without any game time.
During a press conference in England, Walters acknowledged that the choice was challenging but emphasized his desire to reward the team that secured the Ashes victory.
"It wasn't an easy decision," Walters said. "I spoke to some of the senior players and some of the selectors, but in the end, I wanted to make the right call for the Kangaroos and the jersey. After some consultation, the best thing to do was to go back to that seventeen that started the Test series."