Kevin Walters hints at pressure on incumbents after surprise picks in Kangaroos squad
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Kevin Walters has warned his Australian Kangaroos squad of a looming internal selection battle that will decide who will secure starting spots for the Ashes series.
Debate over who will secure a spot in the squad has now come to an end, with Walters calling on seven debutants to join the team's tour of England later this month.
Yet, the jostling for positions has just begun with Walters keeping the players on their toes with some big decisions ahead.
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"It is a strong squad right across the board," Walters told 2GB's Wide World of Sports on Monday.
"We have great depth in all the positions, which we need for going over there.
"From a competitive point of view, it puts everyone on notice that you need to play well to keep your position in this side. That's across all the spots, really."
So, who is set to battle it out for a spot in the starting line-up?
Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden of the Maroons celebrate with the State of Origin Shield. Getty
Are the incumbent halves out of favour?
It is a battle between the State of Origin halves pairings to don the numbers 6 and 7.
Cameron Munster returns in the green and gold jersey alongside Nathan Cleary, with the pair set to battle it out to replace the incumbent duo Mitchell Moses and Tom Dearden.
Moses and Dearden's partnership helped Australia claim the Pacific Championships title last season, an achievement that could be used to push their case to keep their roles.
It should be noted that neither Cleary nor Munster was available for selection due to injury. The star duo also have the fact that they both played in the 2025 finals series, unlike Moses or Dearden, in their favour.
Cleary was also named the Dally M Halfback of the Year for 2025.
Still, all four players have experience competing at representative level, most recently in the 2025 State of Origin series.
Moses starred in game one before injury sidlined him for the remainder of the series and restricted him to just 13 games this season.
Billy Slater believed it would be best for Moses not to claim the No.7 jersey for Australia and stay home to recover from lingering injury concerns.
Mitch Moses (R) with NSW halves partner Nathan Cleary (L). Getty
Given the state of play in the modern game, combined with the fact that three of the four have battled injuries in the past 18 months, Walters was not going to take any risks.
"It is a very important decision that six and seven roles," the Kangaroos coach said.
"Because of today's game, the suspensions, injuries and all sorts of things, they all play a part. We needed our best players over there, and we've got that.
"It is going to be a tough tour for our guys."
The Sydney Morning Herald reporter Michael Chammas revealed that Munster and Cleary are the favourites to start in the halves prior to the Kangaroos squad being announced.
Two Clive Churchill medallists face off
Dylan Edwards has often been at the centre of debate over who dons the No.1 jersey at a representative level, with his main rival for his position being James Tedesco.
But now he has a fresh premiership winner coming for his spot on the Australian team.
It was a rocky end to the season for Edwards as he produced nine individual errors across the Panthers' last three games of the regular season.
The four-time premiership winner's errors did not rattle his teammates, but his performance did take a turn in the same weeks that Reece Walsh dazzled on the field.
Reece Walsh of the Broncos celebrates winning the NRL Grand Final. Getty
A chaotic run of injuries caused a reshuffle of the Broncos' line-up in the final weeks of the season, yet Walsh and his teammates did not lose focus in the face of those obstacles.
"They are two Churchill medallists," Walters, 57, said.
"Reece Walsh obviously deserved the medal [in this year's grand final], he was outstanding. He has had a fantastic six weeks for the Broncos.
"He was that driving force for them to have a great season.
"Two very good custodians at the back to get the squad rolling, that's for sure."
Where will Brailey fit in?
Blayke Brailey and Harry Grant have been the form hookers for the 2025 season.
Which of the pair takes the No.9 jersey and who starts on the bench is yet to be confirmed.
Brailey's performance this season saw him presented the Dally M hooker of the year award, with Grant ineligible for selection due to his suspension record.
Grant has been named as the team's vice-captain, suggesting he would don the No.9 jersey, meaning Brailey would be battling for a spot on the bench.
Although with Tom Dearden also looking to fit into the 17, Brailey could be overlooked.
Looming code-switch not bothering Walters
A move back to rugby union is pending for Mark Nawaqanitawase, but it did not hurt his selection chances when it came to representing Australia in rugby league.
The Roosters star has produced countless remarkable try-scoring displays this season, posing a strong threat to the positions once held by Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates.
Lomax and Coates were both ruled out of the series on Tuesday afternoon due to injury, meaning Nawaqanitawase will have to wait to learn who his competitors for the spot will be.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Josh Addo-Carr will be one of the duo's replacements.
"We felt that he had the right, given his performances this year with the Roosters, to be part of the squad," Walters continued.
Mark Nawaqanitawase tiptoes down the sideline to score a try for the Roosters. Getty
"He has been in some of the classic pieces of movements and tries across the NRL, a lot of them involving not only his skills in the air but his little kicks and flick passes.
"He will be a good one for us to roll out."
