Who’s in and who’s out? Kangaroos set to name seven debutants for Ashes

Australia coach Kevin Walters is set to blood up to seven debutants for the end-of-season Ashes series against England as he moves to finalise his 23-man Kangaroos squad on Monday.

The Herald can reveal that Broncos superstar Reece Walsh, Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase, Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey, Canterbury back-rower Jacob Preston, Newcastle centre Bradman Best, South Sydney enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi and Raiders young gun Ethan Strange are all in line to be selected in Walters’ squad.

The series will begin at Wembley Stadium in London on October 25 and be followed by games at Everton’s new stadium in Liverpool and a match in Leeds at Headingley to close out the series.

The Kangaroos will also be boosted by the inclusion of Broncos grand final centre Kotoni Staggs.

Staggs has indicated that he will make himself available for Australia despite being eligible to represent Tonga in this year’s Pacific Championships.

Walters and the Australian selectors held a meeting last week to determine the squad, but will reconvene on Monday morning to finalise the line-up based on the outcome of the grand final and any potential injuries to players.

Melbourne’s Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates are all playing in the decider, while Brisbane will have Patrick Carrigan, Walsh and Staggs in action.

The Kangaroos have had a number of players either withdraw due to injury or elect to play for other nations.

Broncos prop Payne Haas will represent Samoa at the Pacific Championships after informing Walters of his desire to represent the country of his mother’s heritage.

Walters, however, has been boosted by the inclusion of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui after he weighed up whether to represent Samoa.

Koloamatangi also elected to play for the Kangaroos despite previously representing Tonga.

The Kangaroos will be without the likes of James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow due to injuries.

NSW back-rower Liam Martin will also miss the tour to ensure he is with his partner for the birth of their child.

Sources with knowledge of discussions talking on the condition of anonymity said Tedesco’s omission is expected to result in Walsh earning the Kangaroos No.1 jersey. Edwards has been included in the squad as cover.

Kangaroos selectors are also keen to take Nawaqanitawase on tour despite the likelihood of Lomax and Coates being the preferred wingers.

Cameron Munster will partner Nathan Cleary in the halves, while Tom Dearden will fill the role of utility.

While Harry Grant will wear the Kangaroos No.9 jersey, Brailey is expected to be taken on tour if the selectors commit to taking a back-up hooker.

The Panthers will have the most representatives in the team with four players. The Broncos, Storm and Roosters will have three.

The Dragons, Dolphins, Warriors, Tigers and Sea Eagles will not be represented.

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