Penrith lock Isaah Yeo will delay required pectoral surgery to captain the Australian men’s rugby league team at the upcoming World Cup, head coach Kevin Walters announced on Monday. Walters revealed a 23-player Kangaroos squad that includes Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker among six debutants, setting up a competitive selection battle in the halves alongside Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, and Mitchell Moses.
Isaah Yeo Delays Surgery to Lead Kangaroos
Yeo played through a torn pec during Penrith’s run to the preliminary final loss against Newcastle. The lock forward confirmed his availability after assessing his recovery. My plan all along was if I got back for Penrith and it was travelling all right, then I’d leave myself open for selection,
Yeo said on Monday. He will captain Australia in their opening group stage match against New Zealand on 16 October.
James Tedesco, fresh off Sunday’s NRL premiership victory with the Roosters alongside Walker and prop Lindsay Collins, was considered for the captaincy before Yeo confirmed he would play. Walters named both Tedesco and Reece Walsh in the squad, declining to name his first-choice fullback. The selection also marks international returns for Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell following injury absences, while Mitchell’s South Sydney teammate David Fifita earns his first Australian selection after previously representing Tonga.
Ali Brigginshaw Omitted from Jillaroos World Cup Squad
Former Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw was left out of Australia’s women’s World Cup squad, ending her international career just 24 hours after playing in the NRLW grand final for the Brisbane Broncos. Brisbane suffered a grand final defeat to the Sydney Roosters, and head coach Jess Skinner subsequently informed the 36-year-old playmaker she would miss selection for her fourth World Cup tournament. That was one of the hardest phone calls I’ve had to make as a coach to a player and to talk about her and where she was,
Skinner said.
Sydney Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly will captain the Jillaroos, with Easts halves Tarryn Aiken and Jocelyn Kelleher selected ahead of Brigginshaw. The women’s squad features a heavy representation from the Broncos and Roosters, including Brisbane five-eighth Jesse Southwell and retiring Roosters prop Millie Elliott. Former rugby sevens star Sariah Paki also joins the forwards after a strong season with the Roosters.
Australian teams open campaigns against New Zealand and Samoa
The Australian men’s team begins its group campaign against New Zealand on 16 October. The women’s squad opens its tournament against Samoa on Friday, 16 October, before subsequent matches against England and Wales.
Isaah Yeo captains Kangaroos alongside six debutants
Who is captaining the Australian men’s rugby league team?
Penrith lock Isaah Yeo will captain the Kangaroos after delaying pectoral surgery he needed following the NRL season. He will lead the side in their opening match against New Zealand on 16 October.
Which players are making their debut for the Kangaroos?
Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker is one of six debutants named in Kevin Walters’ 23-player squad. David Fifita has also earned his first Australian jersey after previously representing Tonga at Test level.
Who will captain the Australian women’s team?
Sydney Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly will captain the Jillaroos at the Rugby League World Cup. She takes over the leadership role following the omission of retiring veteran Ali Brigginshaw.
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