Walters Picks Reece Walsh Over Tedesco at Fullback for Kangaroos' World Cup Opener

Australia coach Kevin Walters has made the boldest call of the Rugby League World Cup so far, handing Reece Walsh the No. 1 jersey for Thursday's tournament opener against New Zealand ahead of James Tedesco, who won the Clive Churchill Medal as the best player in the 2026 NRL Grand Final.

Walters backed Walsh despite a disrupted club season that has kept the Brisbane star sidelined since mid-August, remembering his starring role in last year's 3-0 Ashes series victory over England. Tedesco's omission is the headline selection of the World Cup's opening round and sets up an immediate referendum on the coach's judgment in the trans-Tasman clash.

Isaah Yeo will captain the Kangaroos after putting off surgery on a torn pectoral to lead the title defence, while the halves picture remains unsettled — Walters declined to reveal whether Sam Walker or Mitchell Moses will partner Cameron Munster in the number seven jersey.

Australia's biggest absence is Nathan Cleary, ruled out of the entire tournament with a broken ankle, leaving the champion halfback's creative load to be shared. The Kangaroos open their campaign in the World Cup's marquee first-round fixture, with the winner gaining the inside track in Pool A.

The selection continues Walters' aggressive approach since taking over the national team, and all eyes will be on Walsh to justify the faith against a Kiwis side of their own stacked with NRL talent.