Addo-Carr, Best called into Kangaroos squad for Ashes

Jarred Cross Published October 8, 2025 at 9.30am (AWST)

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Josh Addo-Carr and Bradman Best have been called into the Kangaroos' squad as injury replacements for Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates ahead of this month's Ashes series. (Image: Richard Sellers/AAP)

Josh Addo-Carr has a line of sight on his first game in green and gold since Australia's World Cup triumph while Bradman Best is in line for his international debut after the pair were included as injury cover inclusions into the Kangaroos' Ashes squad.

Addo-Carr and Best have been called in for outside back pairing Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates, who have both been ruled out through injury.

Australia announced their 24-man squad for the three-match Ashes Tour of England starting October 25 on Monday, with Best named in the Prime Minister's XIII squad ahead of their game against Papua New Guinea in Port Morseby on Sunday.

Addo-Carr was entirely out of the frame until Tuesday evening.

The 30-year-old last ran out for the Kangaroos during the 2022 World Cup in the UK where he scored 12 tries across five games and ended the tour lifting the trophy over Samoa in the final.

It earned the Wiradjuri man an Origin recall the following year, playing in all three games on NSW's wing in a series lost 2-1.

He hasn't featured for the Blues since.

Best, however, was within touching distance of an international debut when made part of Australia's squad for last year's Pacific Championships, though did not feature across the series.

He's one of seven debutants in coach Kevin Walters' squad alongside Blayke Brailey, Keaon Koloamatangi, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jacob Preston and Indigenous stars Reece Walsh, following his all-time grand final performance at the weekend, and Gehamat Shibasaki.

Shibasaki, who's rocketed into representative duties from the fringe of Brisbane's top 30 since the start of 2025, is understood to have edged out Best for the spot in Australia's centres.

The Ashes series against England returns for the first time in 22 years later this month.

"There is a mix of youth and experience and all of them have the desire to represent their country on this stage. I cannot wait to coach this squad," Kevin Walters said during the Monday squad announcement.

"England will be a huge Test on their home soil however this squad knows what it takes to perform at the highest level and knows what it takes to win."

Barkindji & Ngapuhi/Ngāti Hine coach Jess Skinner also named her Jillaroos squad for the Pacific Championships starting October 26.

First Nations stars Keilee Joseph, Olivia Kernick and Tamika Upton are among those selected in the side.