Isaah Yeo will delay pectoral surgery to captain Australia's men's Rugby League World Cup campaign, after coach Kevin Walters revealed his 23-player squad that includes Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker.
One of six debutants in the squad, Walker will be locked in a four-way battle with Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses for a spot in the Kangaroos' halves.
Fresh off Sunday's NRL premiership glory, Walker is one of three Roosters included, along with Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco and prop Lindsay Collins.
Yeo to lead after delaying surgery
Tedesco would have been a candidate to regain the Australian captaincy were it not for the fact Yeo has decided to delay surgery.
The Penrith lock played through the pain of a torn pec on his side's run to the preliminary final loss to Newcastle, and will lead the Kangaroos out in their group stage opener against New Zealand on 16 October.
“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.
“I’ve been upfront and honest with Kevvie and it’s feeling good and I would only put my hand up if I thought I could contribute and perform at the level that’s needed for our country.”
Notable returns and new faces
Among the more notable inclusions in Walters' squad are the returns of Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell, both of whom were denied further international caps by injury problems in recent seasons.
Mitchell's South Sydney teammate David Fifita is also in line for his first Australian jersey after previously playing for Tonga at Test level.
Walters would not be drawn on whether Tedesco was his first-choice fullback with Reece Walsh also named in the Kangaroos squad.
Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga will be free to line up for New Zealand against the Kangaroos after escaping with a $1,000 fine for his high shot on Victor Radley.
Brigginshaw overlooked for Jillaroos
Ali Brigginshaw has been denied a chance to finish her career in green and gold, with the retiring NRLW veteran overlooked for Australia's women's Rugby League World Cup squad.
The Brisbane playmaker, 36, was left out of coach Jess Skinner's Jillaroos side on Monday, less than 24 hours after her last NRLW game for the Broncos. Brigginshaw's side were thrashed in the grand final by Sydney Roosters.
Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly will captain Australia with Easts halves Tarryn Aiken and Jocelyn Kelleher named ahead of Brigginshaw.
Skinner said Brigginshaw was “upset” when she was informed she wouldn't have the chance to play in a fourth World Cup.
“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,” she said.
“Ali, she’s a legend of the game because of what she has done and what she’s done in our jersey is exceptional. She’s always used this jersey as a driver to elevate women in the game.”
Jillaroos squad composition
The Jillaroos side is dominated by players from the Broncos and Roosters, including Brisbane five-eighth Jesse Southwell and Easts prop Millie Elliott, who has earned selection despite announcing she would retire after the NRLW season.
Boyle is joined in the Australian squad by former rugby sevens star Sariah Paki, who has excelled in the forwards for the Roosters this season.
“She has played for Australia in two other sports so to be able to have her come across here makes her a really unique and successful athlete,” Skinner said.
Australia open their group stage against Samoa on Friday 16 October before facing England and Wales.
Kangaroos squad: Isaah Yeo (captain), Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blake Brailey, Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cam Munster, Cam Murray, Jacob Preston, Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Walker, Reece Walsh.
Jillaroos squad: Isabelle Kelly (captain), Tarryn Aiken, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Abbi Church, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Tiana Penitani Gray, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Keilee Joseph, Jocelyn Kelleher, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Sariah Paki, Julia Robinson, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, and Makenzie Weale.
