The Kangaroos' selection for the World Cup is a hot topic, with every position up for grabs and a three-way battle for one spot. As the dust settles on State of Origin, the focus shifts to the NRL and the upcoming World Cup. The Kangaroos' coach, Kevin Walters, has a tough task ahead of him, with a number of players vying for a spot in the squad. One thing that immediately stands out is the three-way battle for the fullback position. Reece Walsh, Dylan Edwards, and James Tedesco are all in the running, with Walsh currently holding the spot. Personally, I think this is a fascinating situation, as Walsh has only played limited minutes of Origin football, but his ability to turn a game on its head in an instant makes him a strong contender. However, Edwards and Tedesco are also in the mix, with different skills and strengths, which makes the decision even more challenging. What makes this particularly fascinating is the fact that Walsh's two biggest threats, Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, will represent different nations. This could be a deciding factor in Walters' decision, as he looks to build a strong and cohesive team for the World Cup. Another interesting development is the emergence of Selwyn Cobbo as a must-pick for the wing position. His spectacular opening two matches in the 2026 Origin series and reclaiming of his electric form since making the move to the Dolphins make him a strong contender. However, the other spot is up for grabs, with Jacob Kiraz and Jojo Fifita emerging as the frontrunners. Unfortunately for the Kangaroos, Kiraz is set to represent Lebanon, which leaves Fifita as the leading candidate to claim the vacant wing spot and partner Cobbo. In the centres, Kotoni Staggs remains in line to retain his spot, but Gehamat Shibasaki has had a season to forget after a breakthrough campaign in 2025. This opens the door for either Latrell Mitchell or Bradman Best to force their way into the squad. Mitchell appears the more likely option due to his ability to change a game in an instant, but Best has continued to prove himself on the representative stage and would slot straight into the side if Mitchell is unavailable. At halfback, Nathan Cleary will be the first selection, but he will face genuine competition from Sam Walker, who has made enormous strides since Origin started. Both players' clubs are likely to feature in the finals, so this Origin game will have a significant bearing on some Kangaroos selections. In the props, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has continued to play for Australia despite rumours he'll one day switch to Samoa. If he stays with Australia for the World Cup, he'll be picked in the front row along with Patrick Carrigan. The pair were the starting props on last year's Ashes tour, and coach Walters has indicated he'll stay loyal to a number of players who got the job done in England. In the second-rowers, Hudson Young and Liam Martin terrorised Queensland in the victorious decider in Brisbane and should be the Australian backrowers for the opening Test of the World Cup. Finally, at lock, Isaah Yeo will be the captain and lock, having led the Blues to victory in the State of Origin decider. He was sensational in leading the Blues to victory and only injury will stop him leading out the Kangaroos in the World Cup opener. In conclusion, the Kangaroos' selection for the World Cup is a fascinating and challenging process, with a number of players vying for a spot in the squad. From the fullback to the lock, every position is up for grabs, and the final team will be a reflection of the players' strengths, skills, and ability to perform under pressure. Personally, I'm excited to see how the team comes together and how the players step up to the challenge of representing their country on the world stage.
