Reason for shock omission as SIX debutants in Kevvie’s Kangaroos squad
Kevin Walters has named his 23-man Australian Kangaroos squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, featuring six debutants and the return of Latrell Mitchell. The selection process has sparked debate, particularly regarding the halfback position.
Why it matters
The selection of a national sports team for a major international tournament is a significant event for fans and the professional rugby league industry.
NRL WORLD-CUP Reason for shock omission as SIX debutants in Kevvie’s Kangaroos squad Surprise picks in Kev's world cup squad | 15:20 Andrew Jackson from Fox Sports October 5th, 2026 2:58 pm Kevin Walters has announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, with Latrell Mitchell making his long-awaited return to the green and gold jumper.
Mitchell withdrew from last year’s Ashes tour due to his persistent back and neck injuries and was also unavailable for Tests against New Zealand and Samoa in 2023 after undergoing hand surgery.
The Rabbitohs superstar also battled injuries this season but returned in the latter stages of the year to power South Sydney’s finals push and is fit to provide X-factor to Australia’s World Cup campaign.
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