Reece Walsh headlines a list of Kangaroos debutants set to face England at Wembley for the first rugby league Ashes in two decades this weekend.
Fresh off a devastating best afield display to help Brisbane lift the Provan-Summons Trophy over Melbourne, Walsh has been selected ahead of Penrith no.1 Dylan Edwards to slot in at fullback for the opening Test.
Broncos and Queensland Origin teammate Gehamat Shibasaki has earned his first cap for the national side, with Souths second row Keaon Koloamatangi and winger Mark Nawaqanitawase also set to debut.
Nawaqanitawase, who played his first full season in the NRL this year after a defect from rugby union, becomes a dual international with his selection.
An opportunity to claim the fullback position for the long-term meets Walsh, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - who beat out the Broncos star for the spot in this year's Maroons line up, recently announcing his allegiance to Samoa for future international duties after missing the Ashes with injury.
Shibaski's inclusion adds another chapter to his breakout year. Ahead of helping Queensland to an underdog Origin series triumph and eventual NRL premiership at club level, the 27-year-old had almost given up on league before accepting a train-and-trial opportunity with Brisbane last preseason.
"It's going to be a huge thrill for all four of them to wear the green and gold for the first time in a Test match at such an iconic stadium," Kangaroos coach Walters said of his debutants.
"I'm excited for them as well as all of our players. Every member of our squad, whether they take the field or not, is about to experience something incredibly special this Saturday at Wembley.
"As I've said from day one of our preparations here in England, we're on this Ashes journey together because it's going to take a collective effort from everyone involved."
Josh Addo-Carr returns for his first Test since Australia's final success at the most recent World Cup, held in the UK in 2022.
Addo-Carr was brought into the Kangaroos squad as injury cover earlier this month after first being poised to run out for the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea.
He has scored 12 tries across five games at World Cup level.
Knights centre Bradman Best, named in the reserves for this weekend, joined Addo-Carr as a late call up to the national squad.
Kotoni Staggs and Reuben Cotter round out the names of Indigenous stars in this weekend's Kangaroos team.
For the Jillaroos, reigning Dally M medallist Tamika Upton, Keilee Joseph and Olivia Kernick have been named in Jess Skinner's team for their opening Pacific Championships match up with Fetu Samoa in Brisbane on Sunday.
The Barkindji & Ngapuhi/Ngāti Hine coach recalled Kernick into the Jillaroos side for their Las Vegas clash with England at the start of the year after being controverisally left out of the Pacific Championships squad last year - after winning the 2024 Dally M medal - by then-coach Brad Donald.
The Kangaroos face England at London's Wembley Stadium at 12:30am Sunday (AEDT), with the Jillaroos up against Fetu Samoa at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Sunday at 2pm (AEDT).
