Tom Dearden’s breakout series as Maroons halfback has heaped pressure on the game’s best No.7 Nathan Cleary amid Cameron Munster’s return for the Ashes tour.
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Many experts believe, on form, Dearden deserves to partner Cameron Munster in the halves for the Kangaroos at the end of the season and based on the Origin series it is hard to argue.
Dearden starred for the Kangaroos last year in the No.6 jersey in their Pacific Championship victory alongside Mitchell Moses at halfback.
However, if everybody is fit it is likely Munster will partgner four-time premiership winner Cleary in the halves.
But there is an argument that the Origin series should serve as the selection shootout for Australian jumpers and even Cleary admitted he hasn’t owned that arena, while Dearden did so to claim the 2025 Wally Lewis Medal.
Australia are blessed with some brilliant playmakers and if everyone is fit at the end of the season, it will be a tough choice to settle on a 17 and it may come down to who coaches the side.
Read on for the Kangaroos selection State of Play.
‘It’s rorted! The game is rorted! | 00:55
FULLBACK
Incumbent: Dylan Edwards
Contenders: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, James Tedesco, Reece Walsh
Analysis: Should Bennett be appointed as expected, he is going to be spoiled for choice at fullback and it really is a matter of picking whatever flavour he prefers. Does he want a dependable option that is going to churn through the metres at the back, provide the final pass on sweeping set plays and consistently set the defensive line with strong communication? If he does, Edwards or Tedesco is his man. If he wants a more dynamic option, there are two ways he could go. Tabuai-Fidow has the speed, which means he is always a support option on linebreaks, while he has also quickly improved the defensive side of his game. Walsh, meanwhile, is still developing on that side of the ball but is the best ball-playing option of the four. Ultimately, there is little Edwards the incumbent has done wrong to suggest he will be displaced and his work setting the defensive line in particular is elite while he also is one of the fittest players in the league, which makes him both a constant presence in the defensive line and in attack as an extra option.
Verdict: Dylan Edwards
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Alfie goes OFF in the Maroons sheds | 00:23
WINGERS
Incumbents: Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax
Contenders: Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Selwyn Cobbo, Josh Addo-Carr
Analysis: Cobbo is a game-breaker at his best but has struggled for inconsistency in what will be his final season at the Broncos, so it is hard to see him getting the nod while Addo-Carr is unlikely to get picked either while playing for a struggling Eels team. Of course, we had Lomax retaining his spot but he excelled for the Blues in the series opener and while he had a night to forget in the decider, it would be rash to drop him off that game alone. Having Lomax and Coates as Australia’s two wingers gives the halves two genuine aerial weapons to target while both are also elite finishers in the corner. Taulagi is another solid option and Holmes is the most experienced alternative if Bennett wants a bit more security on the wing, but Coates and Lomax make the most sense as well-rounded wingers with plenty of attacking upside.
Verdict: Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax
CENTRES
Incumbents: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Trbojevic
Contenders: Robert Toia, Gehamat Shibasaki, Tom Trbojevic, Matt Burton, Bradman Best, Kotoni Staggs
Analysis: Tom Trbojevic has battled injuries all year at Manly and you’d have to think he will need all of the off-season to get his body right. But either way, he isn’t the same explosive threat he once was, even in the centres, so he misses out this time. Tabuai-Fidow, on the other hand, is electric with the ball in hand and a chance of breaking a long run every time he touches the ball. He has also improved his decision-making in defence. Best would be pushing for selection if he was healthy all season, while Toia has a strong case given the way he performed in his first Origin series, but if Bennett is the coach he won’t overlook his Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell.
Verdict: Latrell Mitchell and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
‘They went on early into the morning’ | 01:00
FIVE-EIGHTH
Incumbent: Tom Dearden
Contenders: Cameron Munster, Matt Burton
Analysis: This one isn’t complicated. Dearden has a genuine argument to be picked ahead of Nathan Cleary for the halfback jumper after winning the Wally Lewis Medal, so if he is going to be selected for the Kangaroos it’ll be in the No.7 jersey. Otherwise, Burton is another solid option but doesn’t have the same big-game experience as Munster, who is a lock for the five-eighth jumper if fit.
Verdict: Cameron Munster
HALFBACK
Incumbent: Mitchell Moses
Contenders: Nathan Cleary, Tom Dearden
Analysis: Mitchell Moses stepped up last season to lead the Kangaroos to the Pacific Championship victory, but injuries have ruled him out for much of the 2025 season. Nathan Cleary missed last year’s series through injury and hasn’t played for his country since the 2022 World Cup final, but at full fitness he is the best halfback if not player in the game. Tom Dearden was a deserved Wally Lewis Medal winner and was the incumbent five-eighth last year, but his time in the Kangaroos No.7 jersey is still down the line. If injuries strike he would do a great job alongside Cameron Munster and nobody deserves it more, but we are tipping he bides his time from the bench. Cleary is a World Cup winner and if he leads Penrith to a fifth straight title how do you leave him out?
Verdict: Nathan Cleary
PROPS
Incumbents: Patrick Carrigan and Lindsay Collins
Contenders: Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Max King
Analysis: Patrick Carrigan filled in at prop last year amid an injury crisis in the position, while Lindsay Collins was also excellent for the Kangaroos. However, Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are arguably the two best props in the game and both were injured last year. Complicating matters, both Haas and Fa’asuamaleaui are weighing up wether to represent Samoa, which would make them ineligible for the Kangaroos, but until they finalise that call, they deserve to start for Australia. Collins and Carrigan will have to settle for a spot on the bench, while Max King could be a smokey if the Bulldogs finish the year strong or injuries and defections come into play.
Verdict: Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
‘We might not even sleep!’ | 16:38
HOOKER
Incumbent: Harry Grant
Contenders: Reece Robson, Connor Watson, Ben Hunt
Analysis: Harry Grant is the incumbent Australian hooker and looks set to have a mortgage on the position for the rest of his career, after Ben Hunt was dropped for last year’s Pacific Championship series in favour of Matt Burton on the bench. Reece Robson was poor in the Origin decider, but looks to be the next cab off the rank and could nab a bench spot. Connor Watson and Ben Hunt wouldn’t let anyone down if injuries strike in the back half of the season.
Verdict: Harry Grant
SECOND-ROWERS
Incumbents: Angus Crichton and Hudson Young
Contenders: Reuben Cotter, Liam Martin, Jeremiah Nanai, Kurt Capewell
Analysis: Incumbents Angus Crichton and Hudson Young did a great job in last year’s Pacific Championship final and have been in good form for their clubs, but the Blues’ series loss could put them in the firing line. Liam Martin was ruled out of last year’s series due to injury and is a leading contender to return to the side, while Reuben Cotter was on the bench in last year’s final and starred for the Maroons in their 2025 series win. Kurt Capewell and Jeremiah Nanai were solid for the Maroons and will come into calculations if injuries strike.
Verdict: Reuben Cotter and Liam Martin
‘That’s one proud dad, sitting up there’ | 02:42
LOCK
Incumbent: Isaah Yeo (c)
Contenders: Patrick Carrigan, Trent Loiero, Cameron Murray
Analysis: Isaah Yeo is the incumbent lock and deserves to captain the side again after leading the team to the 2024 Pacific Championship victory. Patrick Carrigan is a leading contender after switching back to lock for the Broncos, but he will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench, after he was moved there by Billy Slater. Cameron Murray could be a smokey if he returns from injury in time, but he will likely not be rushed back given Souths’ horror season and they will want a full pre-season with their captain to turn things around. Trent Loiero did a solid job for the Maroons and could come into calculations if there are injuries.
Verdict: Isaah Yeo (c)
BENCH
Incumbents: Matt Burton, Mitchell Barnett, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Smith
Contenders: Hudson Young, Tom Dearden, Patrick Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Ben Hunt, Reece Robson, Connor Watson
Analysis: Matt Burton is a great bench player, but Tom Dearden has to be in the 17 somewhere and given Munster and Cleary are in the halves he will have to be the utility. Reuben Cotter is starting in the back row, while fellow incumbent Mitch Barnett is out with an ACL injury. Lindsay Smith is unlucky to miss out, but with last year’s starters Patrick Carrigan, Lindsay Collins and Angus Crichton missing out on the starting side, they had to settle for a spot on the bench. The likes of Hudson Young, Ben Hunt, Reece Robson and Connor Watson would all do Australia proud if injuries strike, but if everyone is fit they will struggle to crack the 17.
Verdict: Tom Dearden, Patrick Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton
INCUMBENT KANGAROOS TEAM
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Xavier Coates
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Zac Lomax
6. Tom Dearden
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Hudson Young
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Matt Burton
15. Mitchell Barnett
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Lindsay Smith
QLD claim 2025 State of Origin series | 04:51
PREDICTED KANGAROOS TEAM
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Xavier Coates
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Zac Lomax
6. Cameron Munster
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Payne Haas
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Reuben Cotter
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Tom Dearden
15. Patrick Carrigan
16. Lindsay Collins
17. Angus Crichton
