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Walters nominates potential bolter for Kangaroos Ashes Tour
Charles Goodsir • August 7th, 2025 1:27 pm
Newly appointed Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has hinted at Canberra Raiders playmaker Ethan Strange being a potential bolter for Australia’s upcoming Ashes series against England.
Australia will tour England for a three-match series for the first time in 22 years. The first Test kicks off on October 25 at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium.
Walters has told SEN that he is keeping a keen eye on Strange during the 2025 finals series.
“Finals football is tough because it’s the next level,” Walters said on SEN 1170.
“The deeper you go, the more pressure there is on players and coaches.
“It exposes players to a good environment to test themselves and when we get to Wembley Stadium where there will be 60, 70 or even 80,000 people.
“We know how vocal English fans can be and how hostile an environment it is.
“The current halves that we have from NSW and Queensland are elite and they are all available.
“(Strange) is certainly a player that could force themselves into the touring party.
“A young player like Strange coming through and having a terrific finals series. That could project him into a 22-man party.”
The first order of business for Walters as Kangaroos coach will be to finalise the allegiances of star players who have floated the idea of representing rival nations.
Payne Haas, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui have all hinted at potentially switching from Australia to Samoa.
“I just want to get in front of them, which I have done, and start a conversation about where their hearts and heads lie,” Walters continued.
“I’m not going to try and persuade them to play for the Kangaroos because that’s a decision for them to make.
“I also need to spell out what it means to play for the Kangaroos.
“We want 22 players and staff that are committed to the cause.
“We need everyone locked in and ready to go.”
After the series opener in Wembley, the second Test moves to Everton Stadium in Liverpool and the Ashes concludes at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
