2025 Kangaroos Ashes Tour
- Thread starter innsaneink
- Start date
Odessa
Well-known member
When was the last captain coach ?
Is Big Mal gone already?
Maybe throw in media manager as well
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has confirmed Kevin Walters as the new Kangaroos coach for the 2025 Ashes Tour.
ARLC confirms Kangaroos and Jillaroos coaches
The ARLC has confirmed Kevin Walters as the new Kangaroos coach for the 2025 Ashes Tour and extended the tenure of current Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner through to the 2026 World Cup.
www.nrl.com
innsaneink
Well-known member
https://www.zerotackle.com/fulltime-storm-broncos-round-grand-final-2025-mc10052933-227324/
Australian Kangaroos head coach Kevin Walters has confirmed his 23-man squad for the Ashes tour of England.
Seven debutants have been made to make the trip halfway around the world for the first bi-lateral series against England in more than two decades, with the finals series playing a heavy role.
Walters, who is on a three-game contract with the Kangaroos and on trial ahead of a home World Cup next year, picked six players out of Sunday evening's grand final between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, and another five from either the Penrith Panthers or Cronulla Sharks who played in the preliminary finals last weekend.
The squad, which was originally set to be 22, was expanded to 23 with the Kangaroos including Ethan Strange in the squad after his barnstorming season with the Canberra Raiders.
Walters, who admitted he will have selection headaches without a warm-up game, also admitted the squad was hard to pick.
"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," Walters said during a media conference announcing the squad on Monday morning.
"We wanted to reward that form."
The head coach refused to confirm any game day selection calls for the three-match series, with a number of difficult calls lying ahead of Walters and his staff.
That will start at fullback where Dylan Edwards and Reece Walsh are in contention for the number one jumper, while Nathan Cleary, Mitchell Moses, Tom Dearden and Cameron Munster have all been included as potential halves.
Blayke Brailey, Keaon Koloamatangi, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jacob Preston, Gehamat Shibasaki, Ethan Strange and Clive Churchill Medallist Walsh are the seven debutants heading to England.
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 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)
Kangaroos confirm 23-man squad for Ashes tour
The squad includes a number of debutants.
Australian Kangaroos head coach Kevin Walters has confirmed his 23-man squad for the Ashes tour of England.
Seven debutants have been made to make the trip halfway around the world for the first bi-lateral series against England in more than two decades, with the finals series playing a heavy role.
Walters, who is on a three-game contract with the Kangaroos and on trial ahead of a home World Cup next year, picked six players out of Sunday evening's grand final between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, and another five from either the Penrith Panthers or Cronulla Sharks who played in the preliminary finals last weekend.
The squad, which was originally set to be 22, was expanded to 23 with the Kangaroos including Ethan Strange in the squad after his barnstorming season with the Canberra Raiders.
Walters, who admitted he will have selection headaches without a warm-up game, also admitted the squad was hard to pick.
"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," Walters said during a media conference announcing the squad on Monday morning.
"We wanted to reward that form."
The head coach refused to confirm any game day selection calls for the three-match series, with a number of difficult calls lying ahead of Walters and his staff.
That will start at fullback where Dylan Edwards and Reece Walsh are in contention for the number one jumper, while Nathan Cleary, Mitchell Moses, Tom Dearden and Cameron Munster have all been included as potential halves.
Blayke Brailey, Keaon Koloamatangi, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jacob Preston, Gehamat Shibasaki, Ethan Strange and Clive Churchill Medallist Walsh are the seven debutants heading to England.
Kangaroos team for Ashes
Blayke Brailey (Cronulla 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 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)
Last edited:
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
Solid team considering who didn’t put their hands up for Australia , they will do well
Tucker
Well-known member
I can't wait to see this side grow and gain more experience. A lot of real goers amongst them.
Congrats to the debutants.
Has Shibasaki had the greatest comeback year ever?
innsaneink
Well-known member
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has been forced into two changes to the 23-man squad he named on Monday ahead of the Ashes tour of England.
Code Sports reported on Tuesday that Josh Addo-Carr and Bradman Best will join the squad with Xavier Coates (ankle) and Zac Lomax (hip) withdrawing due to injury.
It means Addo-Carr is in the frame to represent Australia for the first time since the 2022 World Cup while Best is one of eight potential Test debutants.
www.foxsports.com.au
Code Sports reported on Tuesday that Josh Addo-Carr and Bradman Best will join the squad with Xavier Coates (ankle) and Zac Lomax (hip) withdrawing due to injury.
It means Addo-Carr is in the frame to represent Australia for the first time since the 2022 World Cup while Best is one of eight potential Test debutants.
Kevvie’s Kangaroos blow as two big names OUT, replacements revealed
Kevvie’s Kangaroos blow as two big names OUT, replacements revealed
www.foxsports.com.au
TheEnz
Well-known member
Wonder when Cichton will drop out...brave of them to use Turbo in the promo
innsaneink
Well-known member
England Head Coach Shaun Wane has named his 24-player squad for the historic return of the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes this autumn, and the Betfred Super League stars have taken prominence.
18 Super League players will have the chance to take on Australia in the upcoming three-game series.
Following two tries in this past weekend’s Betfred Super League Grand Final, the Hull KR wing Joe Burgess returns to the England side for the first time since 2015 accompanied by Rob Burrow Award winner Mikey Lewis and fellow treble-winning Robin Jez Litten.
Owen Trout’s form for Leigh Leopards in 2025 is rewarded as he could make his England debut in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes.
Kallum Watkins and Alex Walmsley both return to the England squad after spells away from the international game. Watkins last featured in the Rugby League World Cup defeat against Samoa whilst Walmsley’s most recent international outing came in a 30-10 victory over France in October 2021.
St Helens boast the highest representation with five players whilst Betfred Super League runners-up Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos join Hull KR in having three players named. Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone are included from Wakefield Trinity whilst Captain George Williams is Warrington Wolves’ sole representative.
Elsewhere, AJ Brimson of Gold Coast Titans is selected after successfully applying to change his international eligibility to England earlier this year through his mother’s English heritage. Brimson scored 12 tries in 23 NRL appearances in 2025.
Also in the NRL, Newcastle Knights duo Dom Young and Kai Pearce-Paul are included, mercurial Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, North Queensland’s John Bateman and Morgan Smithies who lifted the Minor Premiership with Canberra Raiders.
Head Coach Shaun Wane said: “I’m really excited by the 24 players we have selected ahead of this upcoming Ashes Series.
“There were some tough decisions to be made given the quality we have across both Super League and the NRL and that’s never easy, but I am confident that the 24 selected will give us the best chance of winning this series.
“The return of The Ashes has been a long time coming and we now have the chance to face off against the Kangaroos and look to make history by being the first English side to win The Ashes in over 50 years.
“We already have two sold out venues in Everton and Headingley and I’m sure the atmosphere at Wembley in less than two weeks' time will be electric.”
Tickets are still available for the opening game of the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Series between England and Australia at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25th October here.
With the Betfred Super League season having reached its conclusion, there's no better opportunity to see your favourite Super League stars in action!
England’s ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Squad:
John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
Joe Burgess (Hull KR)
Daryl Clark (St Helens)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
Jez Litten (Hull KR)
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)
Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)
Rivalries will be reignited when England take on Australia in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes THIS MONTH. The two nations will meet in a three-match test series over 20 years in the making and with the second and third test completely SOLD OUT; Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 October is your only place to watch this fierce rivalry live!
Book your Wembley tickets here with prices starting from just £20 for adults and £10 for U16’s.
18 Super League players will have the chance to take on Australia in the upcoming three-game series.
Following two tries in this past weekend’s Betfred Super League Grand Final, the Hull KR wing Joe Burgess returns to the England side for the first time since 2015 accompanied by Rob Burrow Award winner Mikey Lewis and fellow treble-winning Robin Jez Litten.
Owen Trout’s form for Leigh Leopards in 2025 is rewarded as he could make his England debut in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes.
Kallum Watkins and Alex Walmsley both return to the England squad after spells away from the international game. Watkins last featured in the Rugby League World Cup defeat against Samoa whilst Walmsley’s most recent international outing came in a 30-10 victory over France in October 2021.
St Helens boast the highest representation with five players whilst Betfred Super League runners-up Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos join Hull KR in having three players named. Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone are included from Wakefield Trinity whilst Captain George Williams is Warrington Wolves’ sole representative.
Elsewhere, AJ Brimson of Gold Coast Titans is selected after successfully applying to change his international eligibility to England earlier this year through his mother’s English heritage. Brimson scored 12 tries in 23 NRL appearances in 2025.
Also in the NRL, Newcastle Knights duo Dom Young and Kai Pearce-Paul are included, mercurial Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, North Queensland’s John Bateman and Morgan Smithies who lifted the Minor Premiership with Canberra Raiders.
Head Coach Shaun Wane said: “I’m really excited by the 24 players we have selected ahead of this upcoming Ashes Series.
“There were some tough decisions to be made given the quality we have across both Super League and the NRL and that’s never easy, but I am confident that the 24 selected will give us the best chance of winning this series.
“The return of The Ashes has been a long time coming and we now have the chance to face off against the Kangaroos and look to make history by being the first English side to win The Ashes in over 50 years.
“We already have two sold out venues in Everton and Headingley and I’m sure the atmosphere at Wembley in less than two weeks' time will be electric.”
Tickets are still available for the opening game of the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Series between England and Australia at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25th October here.
With the Betfred Super League season having reached its conclusion, there's no better opportunity to see your favourite Super League stars in action!
England’s ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Squad:
John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
Joe Burgess (Hull KR)
Daryl Clark (St Helens)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
Jez Litten (Hull KR)
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)
Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)
Rivalries will be reignited when England take on Australia in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes THIS MONTH. The two nations will meet in a three-match test series over 20 years in the making and with the second and third test completely SOLD OUT; Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 October is your only place to watch this fierce rivalry live!
Book your Wembley tickets here with prices starting from just £20 for adults and £10 for U16’s.
Poms are spewing about Bateman being picked (BBC website),i hate to tell them but he has been playing even worse than they think.
SwervinMervin
Well-known member
For the benefit of the international game beyond the pacific I would love this to a highly competitive series. Unfortunately, if John Bateman is considered one of the best 24 players England have available to select from, I fear they will have 50 put on them in every test. He is not even NRL standard these days much less a tier 1 nation international player.
Looking forward to seeing Kai Pearce Paul in a decent team.
innsaneink
Well-known member
Kevin Walters has named the team to take on England in the opening Test of the 2025 Ashes series at Wembley Stadium this Saturday, October 25
A big congratulations to our four debutants (Walsh, Nawaqanitawase, Shibasaki & Koloamatangi)
A big congratulations to our four debutants (Walsh, Nawaqanitawase, Shibasaki & Koloamatangi)
Kevin Walters has named the team to take on England in the opening Test of the 2025 Ashes series at Wembley Stadium this Saturday, October 25
A big congratulations to our four debutants (Walsh, Nawaqanitawase, Shibasaki & Koloamatangi)
View attachment 28678
Geez, it's so good having an Ashes tour again.
hank37w
Well-known member
You won't see that until next year when he runs out for the Wests Tigers.
innsaneink
Well-known member
Except the time slot lol
But yeah the old days were great...penalty counts of 24-1 against with three aussies sent off and we'd still win by 30
Tucker
Well-known member
People are bashing this Kangaroo side as being weak but I wholeheartedly disagree.
Inexperienced? absolutely and they may even lose this Ashes series due to it, but they keep it together and they’ll win the World Cup with this outfit. It is brimming with X-factor and guys who will bust their arse for this country.
Look at that bench. Dearden is a year or so away from being a starting half. Either Munster or Nathan go down and we lose nothing with him as backup….and Moses is backing him up! Keanon is a freak but is also class, Collins is always one of the best players on the field in rep games and Cotter is just a loose maniac.
I’m looking forward to seeing them play.
Inexperienced? absolutely and they may even lose this Ashes series due to it, but they keep it together and they’ll win the World Cup with this outfit. It is brimming with X-factor and guys who will bust their arse for this country.
Look at that bench. Dearden is a year or so away from being a starting half. Either Munster or Nathan go down and we lose nothing with him as backup….and Moses is backing him up! Keanon is a freak but is also class, Collins is always one of the best players on the field in rep games and Cotter is just a loose maniac.
I’m looking forward to seeing them play.
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
It looks like a bloody good side to me and should win in my opinion.
used to set the alarm for the Tri Nations 15 years ago .
this Sunday morning 1am depends on circumstances
Read the game is 2.30 pm over there ,strange kick off to beam it into Oz
