Teddy versus Reece: The battle to be Australia’s World Cup No.1

James Tedesco and Reece Walsh are locked in a selection battle for Australia's fullback jersey ahead of the World Cup opener against New Zealand. Despite captaining the Sydney Roosters to an NRL premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal, Tedesco is not guaranteed the No.1 spot under head coach Kevin Walters, who remains a strong supporter of incumbent fullback Walsh.

Walters confirmed that Walsh has recovered from an ankle injury despite not playing for 61 days. Dylan Edwards was ruled out after requiring knee and shoulder surgeries, while Isaah Yeo was named captain despite playing through a ruptured pectoral muscle.