Australia head coach Kevin Walters is set to name a number of debutants in his 17-man squad for the first Ashes Test this weekend, according to reports down under.
This will come as no surprise, given that there are seven debutants within Walters’ initial 24-man touring party for the three-Test series; however, this is a clear sign that he is rewarding form from the past season in his selection.
Kangaroos to name multiple debutants for Wembley Test
According to Code Sports, recent Clive Churchill medalist Reece Walsh is set to earn his maiden Test cap at full-back, with fellow Brisbane Broncos star Gehamat Shibasaki primed to start in the centres. Former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase is also set to make his international debut in the 13-man game on the wing.
The inclusion of Shibasaki is yet another reminder of his stellar rise since making the move to the Broncos at the start of the season, a journey he himself struggled to predict.
“It’s been a crazy, crazy season,” Shibasaki told Code Sports.
“If you told me last year I was going to the Grand Final this season, let alone making the Australian side, I would have laughed.
“I’m not young anymore, so it was all-or-nothing. If it didn’t happen this year, there was nothing else after that. I wanted another crack but knew I had to go all the way and it worked.”
Elsewhere, Josh Addo-Carr is set to make his return to the Test arena on the wing, with Kotoni Staggs expected to wear the number three. Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary are set to be named in the halves, beating out Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses in the process.
Tino Fa’asumaleaui is also set to mark his return to the Kangaroos for the first time since 2023, joining Harry Grant and Pat Carrigan in the front-row. Hudson Young and Angus Crichton are set to start in the back-row, with Isaah Yeo captaining the side from loose forward.
The aforementioned Dearden will feature in the 17, joining Keaon Koloamatangi, Lindsay Collins and Reuben Cotter on the bench.
Rumoured Kangaroos 17 in full
1 Reece Walsh
2 Josh Addo-Carr
3 Kotoni Staggs
4 Gehamat Shibasaki
5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
6 Cameron Munster
7 Nathan Cleary
8 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9 Harry Grant
10 Patrick Carrigan
11 Hudson Young
12 Angus Crichton
13 Isaah Yeo
Interchanges
14 Tom Dearden
15 Keaon Koloamatangi
16 Lindsay Collins
17 Reuben Cotter
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