Sam Walker named in Australia World Cup squad as Isaah Yeo retains captaincy

Australia have named Sam Walker among six uncapped players in their 23-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with Isaah Yeo confirmed as captain. The Australian Rugby League Commission announced the selections on Monday, according to an NRL media release published by the North Queensland Cowboys.

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Walker joins Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, David Fifita and Jacob Preston as players seeking their first Kangaroos appearance. Coach Kevin Walters said performances during the finals had brought several players into consideration. He described the selected group as combining experience with attacking ability, size and speed, while stressing the strength of the opposition Australia will face.

The Roosters halfback is one of four specialist halves selected, alongside Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses, NRL.com reported. Walker’s club teammate James Tedesco has also earned a recall after captaining the Roosters to the premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal. Tedesco and Brisbane’s Reece Walsh are both in contention for the fullback position; the squad announcement does not settle those starting roles.

Yeo will postpone surgery on his pectoral injury to take part, according to NRL.com. The Penrith captain said the injury was feeling good and that he believed he could perform at the standard Australia required. Latrell Mitchell is another returning selection after missing three and a half months of the NRL season with a nerve injury before returning for South Sydney in Round 26.

Penrith’s own announcement confirmed that Yeo and Liam Martin are set for their second World Cup campaigns after participating in Australia’s 2022 title win in Britain. Yeo will captain the side at a World Cup for the first time, having led Australia to the 2024 Pacific Cup and the 2025 Ashes. Their club teammate Tom Jenkins has been included as a shadow player.

Australia begin against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Thursday, October 15. Group matches against Fiji in Brisbane and the Cook Islands in Townsville will follow. The tournament is being staged across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the final scheduled for Suncorp Stadium on November 15, Penrith confirmed.