Sam Walker’s bumper Roosters offer is off the table. Now he’s lost his Kangaroos spot

Australia coach Kevin Walters has dropped halfback Sam Walker from the Kangaroos starting team for Saturday's clash against the Cook Islands in Townsville. The omission came less than 24 hours after the Sydney Roosters withdrew their three-year, $4.2 million contract extension offer to Walker. Walters selected Tom Dearden and Cameron Munster as the starting halves, insisting the decision had nothing to do with Walker's contract standoff.

In other lineup changes, Reece Walsh has been restored to the starting fullback position, while James Tedesco will feature off the bench after Walters opted against moving him to the wing. Canberra playmaker Ethan Strange has also been named on the bench as Australia's sole debutant.