The Sydney Morning Herald
· collected 2026-10-05 · by Christian Nicolussi
James Tedesco has been named in Kevin Walters’ World Cup squad but is competing with incumbent fullback Reece Walsh for the starting position due to Walsh’s recent ankle injury. Despite Tedesco's strong performance in Sunday’s grand final, including a record 388 run metres, Walters remains committed to Walsh and notes that he is medically cleared to play. The coach also considers Tom Trbojevic as a third fullback option, emphasizing the uncertainty around Australia’s opening match lineup against New Zealand next Thursday.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
James Tedesco captained the Sydney Roosters to win the premiership and clinched his second Clive Churchill Medal on Sunday night. Despite this stellar performance, Tedesco remains uncertain of starting as Australia’s World Cup No.1 fullback when the tournament begins next Thursday. Kevin Walters named Tedesco in the cup squad after he missed last year's Ashes series for personal reasons. However, Tedesco now faces competition from incumbent Reece Walsh, who hasn't played for 61 days due to an ankle injury. Coach Walters has been supportive of Walsh, declaring him the front-runner earlier this year when Brisbane was defending their NRL title. With Dylan Edwards out due to knee and shoulder injuries, Walters hasn't confirmed any starting positions yet.
Written for “Australian Cricket World Cup Spotlights” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
James Tedesco captained the Sydney Roosters to premiership glory and won a second Clive Churchill Medal on Sunday night, but remains no certainty to be wearing the Australian No.1 jersey when the World Cup kicks off next Thursday.
asserted
Cup → captain → jersey
Tedesco was named in Kevin Walters’ cup squad on Monday after missing last year’s Ashes series to attend his brother’s wedding.
asserted
Tedesco → name → wedding
The 33-year-old starred in the 19-18 win over the Knights on Sunday, a performance that included a grand final record 388 run metres, but is now locked in a fullback shootout with incumbent Reece Walsh.
asserted
that → star → Walsh
Walsh will not have played in 61 days by the time next week’s Allianz Stadium match against New Zealand starts because of an ankle injury.
asserted
match → play → injury
Walters refused to confirm any starting positions on Monday, and as much as he enjoyed Tedesco’s premiership performance, he made it known he remained a huge fan of Walsh.
asserted
he → refuse → Walsh
The coach went as far as to declare Walsh the fullback front-runner midway through this year when his club side Brisbane were going through an unhappy defence of their NRL title.
asserted
side → go → title
Walters was spared making a three-into-two call once Dylan Edwards required knee surgery, as well as a shoulder reconstruction.
asserted
Edwards → spar → surgery
“Teddy was very good on Sunday; he loves to carry the ball, and he brings that high work rate to the team,” Walters said.
asserted
Walters → love → team
“Teddy has good form on the board.
asserted
Teddy → have → board
“But I’ll sit down with the senior players, which will probably include Teddy, and we’ll come up with the right team to take on New Zealand.
asserted
we → sit → Zealand
“He’s put himself in a good slot, hasn’t he?”
asserted
He → put → slot
Pressed on the loyalty shown to Walsh, Walters said: “Have you not watched him play?
asserted
him → press → Walsh
“It’s a respect and loyalty [thing] I have with players.
asserted
I → ’ → players
I feel like it’s important; I feel like everyone is a chance of playing next Thursday – I’d be comfortable with any one of those 23 players playing a role.
asserted
one → feel → role
“Speaking with Broncos medical staff and Reece himself, he’s ready to go.
asserted
he → speak → staff
He’s quite the player.”
asserted
He → ’ → ?
Walters also has Manly’s Tom Trbojevic as a third fullback option, and even Latrell Mitchell, whom Walters met for a coffee at Heffron Park last week.
asserted
Walters → have → Park
“His finish to the season for South Sydney was great; he’s a big-game player who can do special things,” Walters said.
asserted
Walters → ’ → things
He’s looking forward to putting the green and gold back on and having a great tournament.”
asserted
He → look → tournament
Fellow Souths players Cameron Murray, David Fifita and Keaon Koloamatangi were also named by Walters.
asserted
players → name → Walters
Skipper Isaah Yeo said he had assured Walters he would be ready to play at the top level, despite having a ruptured pec.
asserted
he → say → pec
The cup campaign, Yeo says, means he will likely miss the opening rounds of next season for Penrith because of the delay to the surgery he needs.
asserted
he → say → surgery
Sam Walker was a late inclusion after successfully overcoming an ankle injury during the play-offs.
asserted
Walker → overcome → offs
He played in the Roosters’ preliminary final and grand final wins.
asserted
He → play → wins
Walker joins fellow playmakers Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses in Australia’s squad.
asserted
Walker → join → squad
“For Sam to get back and play the way he has, we had to find a position for him in the side,” Walters said.
asserted
Walters → get → side
Winger Selwyn Cobbo was ruled out because the Dolphins winger has been struggling with an ankle and lower back issue, while Rob Toia and Jojo Fifita have pledged their allegiances to Tonga.
asserted
Toia → rule → Tonga
The Kangaroos will base themselves in Double Bay – Roosters heartland – in the countdown to the blockbuster opener against the Kiwis, which is on track to be a sellout.
asserted
which → base → track
The Aporia
