The Agenda Setters Rugby League on Channel 7: Kevin Walters explains Kangaroos squad flexibility – Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has explained why he selected players who can cover several positions for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. Speaking on The Agenda Setters Rugby League, Walters said a long tournament and a 19-man match-day squad make that versatility especially valuable.
The selection discussion matters for Australian viewers because the World Cup begins on 15 October and every match will air live and exclusively on Channel 7 and 7plus. The official 23-player Kangaroos squad is now confirmed; Walters’ interview adds the reasoning behind several of its less obvious positional choices.
Corey Parker asked why the squad did not include more specialist wingers, mentioning Selwyn Cobbo. Walters said Cobbo had been in the selectors’ plans but made himself unavailable after an injury late in the season. The coach pointed instead to Jack Bostock’s wing experience and Tom Trbojevic’s capacity to play full-back, centre or wing.
Why versatility matters to Walters
“It’s really important through this period that we get guys that are a little bit flexible and can play multiple positions,” Walters told the Channel 7 panel. He linked that approach to the length of the competition and the talent of the selected players. Bostock is among six potential Kangaroos debutants in the official squad, alongside Bradman Best, Blayke Brailey, David Fifita, Sam Walker and Jacob Preston.
Aaron Woods asked whether international rules would force a smaller match-day selection. Walters said the squad would operate much like the NRL’s 19-man arrangement, with six players on the bench and four replacements available. That structure lets him carry specialist cover across positions, even though choosing when to use each interchange option remains strategic.
It is a practical issue as well as a selection philosophy. Injury or fatigue in a tournament can force changes quickly. Walters said the ability to cover every position from the bench was reassuring given the demands of the sport and the level of the World Cup.
Tedesco or Walsh at full-back?
David Riccio then raised the absence of Dylan Edwards because of a knee injury and asked whether James Tedesco or Reece Walsh was ahead for the full-back role. Walters would not reveal a preference. He praised Tedesco’s performance in the NRL grand final and noted that the squad contains the two most recent Clive Churchill Medal winners.
Walters said the two full-backs bring different strengths. He wants to see them in camp and give both an opportunity before settling on a choice. He also said Trbojevic could cover full-back if needed. The coach described Australia’s depth in the position as a fortunate selection problem, not a weakness.
The newly announced squad is captained by Isaah Yeo. Its 23 players include experienced internationals as well as the six potential debutants. The mix gives Walters choices across the spine, edges and forward pack, although the interview made clear that final match-day roles are still to be decided.
Who can challenge Australia?
Woods asked Walters to name the biggest World Cup threat. Rather than single out one opponent, the coach pointed to New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and England. He said the NRL’s multicultural player base and the number of England-eligible players competing in Australia would strengthen several nations.
Walters expects a particularly strong tournament. He identified New Zealand as Australia’s first opponent and said players who had gone deep into the NRL season, including grand final participants, would need careful preparation before the opening game. The official draw places Kangaroos matches against New Zealand in Sydney, Fiji in Brisbane and the Cook Islands in Townsville.
The first game will test the selection plan immediately. Flexibility can help when a starter is unavailable, but the interview also underscored how much Walters still has to settle in camp: the full-back call, the balance of specialist cover and how he will use his interchange options.
The Agenda Setters Rugby League features Corey Parker, David Riccio, Aaron Woods and Luke Keary. Its interview with Walters gave viewers a more detailed explanation of the squad than the names alone reveal. The Rugby League World Cup starts on Thursday 15 October on Channel 7 and 7plus.
For more TV Central coverage, read our story on Channel 7’s Rugby League World Cup broadcast team. Viewers can watch Channel 7’s rugby league programming on the public 7plus website.