State of Origin critical to 2026 World Cup selection, declares Walters

Kevin Walters has declared the 2026 State of Origin series is about far more than interstate bragging rights.

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Having just been extended as Australian Kangaroos coach for another two years, the former Maroons legend said this year’s three-match Origin series would be critical in determining who gets to represent the green and gold in the home World Cup which begins two weeks after this year’s NRL grand final.

“If you play well in Origin you put yourself (in the frame),” Walters said on the Inside Ball podcast, in something of a throw back to his own playing days when Origin form was hugely influential in national team selections.

The 58-year-old also suggested this year’s series would be especially important for NSW and Queensland players whose teams might be absent from the NRL finals.

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“It’s a big series for them as far as the end of the year goes,” Walters said.

Based on current NRL ladder positions some of the game’s best players may be struggling to play deep into the final series this year including 2025 Kangaroo Tour squad members Mitchell Moses, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Josh Addo-Carr, Pat Carrigan, Reece Walsh, Hudson Young and Ethan Strange.

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Beyond player selection, Walters also spoke about his plans for replacing his two assistant coaches from last year’s Ashes Tour given both Gordon Tallis and Willie Peters are unavailable for the 2026 World Cup.

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Walters indicated he was very keen to recruit former Brisbane Broncos (and current Queensland Maroons) assistant Ben Te’o for one of the roles, while he would be ‘having a look around’ for a second appointment in the coming months suggesting there was no shortage of high-quality candidates.

Australia begins its 2026 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Thursday October 15 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. 

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