The Kangaroos last played England in the 2017 World Cup final. Seven Aussies never played another Test
It's been eight years since Australia last met England on the international stage - a hard-fought 6-0 win in the 2017 World Cup final in Brisbane.
What happened to the 13 players who started that game? Remarkably, seven of them - more than half the team - never played for Australia again.
See where they are now in this special feature.
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The Australian team celebrates with the 2017 Rugby League World Cup after beating England in the final. Getty
Fullback - Billy Slater: This was his last game for Australia and he retired less than 12 months after the final to cap a glorious career with the Melbourne Storm. Moved into the media with Channel Nine and is now a successful Queensland Origin coach.
Wing - Dane Gagai: Made his debut in the green and gold in the World Cup, starring in the lead-up games to the final. At 34, still playing great football for the Newcastle Knights with over 300 NRL games to his name.
Centre - Will Chambers: This was the journeyman centre's final Test for Australia - his form dipped in subsequent years and he switched to rugby union for a second time in 2019 where he played for Suntory in Japan, his final club being Los Angeles Giltinis. Post football he has worked mentoring young Indigenous players.
Centre - Josh Dugan: The colourful, controversial former Raiders, Dragons and Sharks centre was another to play the last of his 12 Tests that fateful day. But he contined to play in the NRL until 2021, when he retired when terminated by Cronulla for COVID breaches. He now lives in Cairns, does lots of fishing and is still known to pull on the boots in the local league at age 35.
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Josh Dugan Getty
Wing - Valentine Holmes: At 30, Holmes is the sole member of the team still playing top flight representative football. He was at Cronulla in 2017 and has had subsequent successful stints at the Cowboys and Dragons, playing in this year's winning Queensland State of Origin team.
Five-eighth - Michael Morgan: Yet another who played his last game for Australia in Brisbane, Cowboys favourite Morgan continued to play for his home team until 2021, when a shoulder injury brought an abrupt end to his career. But he was only out of the game for 12 months, taking on an administrative/ambassador role with Queensland Cup club Townsville Blackhawks in 2023.
Halfback - Cooper Cronk: Like so many of his teammates, this was to be Cronk's final Test. It was also a changing of the guard, with the star halfback moving to Sydney to play for the Roosters for two seasons, winning two premierships. He has since seamlessly transitioned into roles in the media and coaching.
Cooper Cronks finished his career with two premierships at the Roosters. Getty
Prop - Aaron Woods: A Tigers favourite, 'Woodsie' played his last game for the joint venture in 2017, moving on to stints with the Bulldogs, Sharks, Dragons and Sea Eagles before retiring at the end of 2024. He is now a successful radio presenter.
Hooker - Cameron Smith (c): The GOAT also made his swansong for the Kangaroos, playing the last of his 56 internationals, and was named in the team of the tournament. Kept playing for the Storm until 2020 before moving into the media and various other business interests.
Prop - David Klemmer: The hard-working prop is hoping to continue his NRL career next season at the age of 32 after stints with the Bulldogs, Knights, Tigers and Dragons. The Big Red V could use his power and will to win for another 12 months.
David Klemmer played for the Dragons in 2025. Getty
Second-row - Boyd Cordner: The popular Roosters premiership-winning skipper continued to play at the top level until 2021, when recurring head knocks forced him to retire at just 29. Currently part of the Roosters' coaching staff.
Second-row - Matt Gillett: Yet another victim of the World Cup final curse, playing his last Test in the final despite playing another two years with the Broncos. Currently working for FOGS - former Origin greats - as well as in development for the Broncos.
Lock - Josh McGuire: The controversial forward started his international career with Samoa before playing eight Tests for Australia. Played for the Broncos, Cowboys, Dragons and Warrington before hanging up the boots in 2023 and taking up a role with Pro Bull Riders Australia.
