‘Never want to give away your jersey’: Kangaroos resist changes for third Ashes Test

2 hours ago 2

Australian coach Kevin Walters has resisted the opportunity to give all touring players a chance to feature in this year’s Ashes series, with the team’s senior players reluctant to step aside.

With the series wrapped up, the Australian coaches had been giving thought to handing the six players who haven’t featured in the series (Mitchell Moses, Bradman Best, Ethan Strange, Jacob Preston, Dyland Edwards and Blayke Brailey) a chance to play in game three at Headingley.

Reece Walsh celebrates with teammates after scoring a try, during the rugby league match between England and Australia.

However, Walters had a discussion with his senior players and instead decided to reward those players who have done the job for him so far

“I spoke to some of the senior players and also some of the selectors, because it wasn’t an easy decision,” Walters said.

“I just want to make the right decision for the Kangaroos and the jersey. In the end, after some consultation and chats, the best thing to do was to go back to that 17 that started the Test series.”

The only change to the Australian team that clinched the series at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium is the return of skipper Isaah Yeo, who sat out the second Test due to a concussion he suffered in the opening game of the series at Wembley Stadium.

Hudson Young celebrates scoring a try during the Rugby League Ashes match between England and Australia.

“It was a bit of a reward for the guys who have been there,” Yeo said.

“You never want to give away your jersey, but on the flip side is you’d love to give the boys who haven’t played an opportunity because they’ve been fantastic for us. I think there was a fair bit of swinging both ways but in the end we’re all in on this. We want to try and make it 3-0, that’s really important for this group.”

Halfback Mitchell Moses, who hasn’t featured this series, is considered one of the best players in the NRL. However, he’s stuck behind Nathan Cleary in the pecking order despite representing the Kangaroos last year.

Moses had no issue with Walters’ pick-and-stick mantra. “I completely understand it,” he said.

“I feel like if I was in that position I wouldn’t want to give up my spot either. You have to put the team first and the country first. I think that’s what we’ve done well as emus. We’ve prepared the boys as well as we could. Hopefully the boys can finish them off 3-0.”

Like Moses, Dylan Edwards was the incumbent in his position but lost his jersey to Reece Walsh.

The Panthers No.1 has been working closely with the new Kangaroos No.1 and didn’t feel he had the right to play in the third game of the series.

“You obviously want to wear the jersey, but you want to earn it as well,” Edwards said.

“The boys that are in the jersey at the moment have definitely earned the right to continue playing. For me personally, you want to earn it, you don’t just want to be given it.”

Australian team for game three: 1. Reece Walsh. 2. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Pat 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.

Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.

NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now.