Mark Nawaqanitawase Becomes Dual International As Kangaroos Name First Ashes Test Team

Australia will unleash nan dazzling skills of caller dual world Mark Nawaqanitawase connected England astatine Wembley Stadium, alongside arsenic electrifying chap Kangaroos debutant Reece Walsh.

The duo subordinate Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki and South Sydney powerhouse Keaon Koloamatangi arsenic nan 4 debutants successful nan opening Test of rugby league’s Ashes bid connected Sunday (AEDT).

Winger Nawaqanitawase, who antecedently played for nan Wallabies, had a breakout play for nan Sydney Roosters wherever his 24 tries successful 23 games resulted successful him being nan NRL’s starring try-scorer for nan year.

The individual brilliance of Nawaqanitawase – Australia’s first rugby-to-league dual world since Scott Gourley successful 1991 – mixed pinch nan skills of Clive Churchill Medal victor Walsh astatine fullback, will airs a monolithic threat to England.

Walsh, 23, has unseated incumbent fullback Dylan Edwards aft a stellar backmost half of nan NRL season, culminating successful 1 of nan top individual displays successful a expansive last to animate Brisbane to premiership glory.

Australia’s backmost 5 has a Broncos look to it, pinch journeyman Shibasaki joining his Brisbane centre partner Kotoni Staggs.

Shibasaki started nan twelvemonth connected a train-and-trial woody earlier becoming 1 of nan Broncos’ champion performers and earning a Queensland debut successful nan State of Origin decider, wherever he outplayed NSW other number Stephen Crichton successful a celebrated victory. His Test debut will headdress an bonzer year.

Koloamatangi was nan Rabbitohs’ champion guardant successful a disappointing play for nan club. He antecedently represented Tonga connected nan world shape but made himself disposable for Kangaroos selection.

He will travel disconnected nan chair and complement a powerful battalion that includes Pat Carrigan, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and skipper Isaah Yeo.

There were nary surprises successful nan halves pinch Melbourne magician Cameron Munster and Penrith maestro Nathan Cleary nan evident choices.

North Queensland and Maroons playmaker Tom Dearden, who was nan subordinate of nan Maroons’ Origin campaign, will capable nan No 14 domiciled that he has antecedently played for Queensland.

Coach Kevin Walters said nan Kangaroos’ debutants deserved their spots.

“It’s going to beryllium a immense thrill for each 4 of them to deterioration nan greenish and golden for nan first clip successful a Test lucifer astatine specified an iconic stadium,” Walters said.

“I’m excited for them arsenic good arsenic each of our players. Every personnel of our squad, whether they return nan section aliases not, is astir to acquisition thing incredibly typical astatine Wembley.

“As I’ve said from time 1 of our preparations present successful England, we’re connected this Ashes travel together because it’s going to return a corporate effort from everyone involved.”

Australia: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Isaah Yeo (c), 14. Tom Dearden, 15. Lindsay Collins,16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Keaon Koloamatangi, 18. Bradman Best, 19. Lindsay Smith, 20. Mitchell Moses.