NRL
6 months ago
Walsh headlines four debutants for Kangaroos side ahead of First Ashes Test
By Charles Goodsir
The Kangaroos have announced their team for the first Ashes Test against England on Wembley Stadium Sunday morning.
Coach Kevin Walters has announced four debutants including 2025 Clive Churchill medallist Reece Walsh and his Brisbane Broncos teammate Gehamat Shibasaki.
Rugby league veteran Chad Townsend believes Walters has made the right selection calls by prioritising players in form.
“There are no real surprises for me,” Townsend said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“This is the Kangaroos team that was destined to be selected for the first game.
“I look at the selection of Reece Walsh at fullback and Dylan Edwards was obviously the incumbent.
“He’s done a great job and we all know what kind of player he is but you’ve got to stick with the hot hand of Reece Walsh.
“Walsh’s last two months of the season were absolutely outstanding. It’s a no-brainer for me to stick him in at fullback.
“There are plenty of storylines in this lineup (including) Gehamat Shibasaki. The redemption he’s been able to produce in the last 12 months (is astonishing).
“To go from a train and trial contract in the pre-season to a Premiership winner to now playing for Australia.
“Keaon Koloamatangi, for him to come back and play for Australia, is fantastic. To move him from the edge to the middle was a big one.”
Walters had no shortage of playmakers to choose from but the first-time International coach opted to play Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster in the halves and named Tom Dearden in the 14 jersey.
Townsend, who played 66 games alongside Dearden at the North Queensland Cowboys, said Dearden is the perfect choice to be a utility.
“100% Tom Dearden is my 14,” Townsend added.
“What he produces and the way he plays (has led him to) the Wally Lewis medal he won earlier this year.
“Just the way he competes, I have him at 14. He played a bit of hooker and it is that cover for the HIA.
“I really like Tom at 14.”
The Kangaroos team to take on England at Wembley Stadium is as follows:
- Reece Walsh*
- Mark Nawaqanitawase*
- Kotoni Staggs
- Gehamat Shibasaki*
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Cameron Munster
- Nathan Cleary
- Patrick Carrigan
- Harry Grant
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- Angus Crichton
- Hudson Young
- Issah Yeo (Captain)
- Tom Dearden
- Lindsay Collins
- Reuben Cotter
- Keaon Koloamatangi*
- Bradman Best
- Lindsay Smith
- Mitchell Moses
*Denotes debutant
