Mal Meninga has confirmed James Tedesco will be Australia’s new captain at this year’s Rugby League World Cup in England.
The Roosters fullback replaces Boyd Cordner, who was skipper for the Kangaroos’ last Test in 2019.
South Sydney forward Cameron Murray and Penrith’s Isaah Yeo are vice-captains.
There are 13 debutants in Meninga’s squad, who begin their World Cup defence in Leeds against Fiji on Saturday, October 15.
Among them is premiership-winning Penrith captain Nathan Cleary, who will jostle with Daly Cherry-Evans to wear the No. 7 jersey.
In the hotly-contested battle for the hooking roles on tour, Damien Cook has missed out, with Meninga banking on Queensland’s winning State of Origin formula.
Maroons duo Ben Hunt and debutant Harry Grant will rotate the hooking role as Meninga’s men aim to seal a third-straight World Cup title.
Cook, Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes and Clive Churchill medallist Dylan Edwards form part of a three-man stand-by list.
Jack Wighton is the lone Canberra Raiders player in the Australian squad, with Hudson Young missing out.
Full Kangaroos World Cup Squad
- James Tedesco (c)
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard
- Matt Burton
- Patrick Carrigan
- Daly Cherry-Evans
- Nathan Cleary
- Lindsay Collins
- Reuben Cotter
- Angus Crichton
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- Campbell Graham
- Harry Grant
- Valentine Holmes
- Ben Hunt
- Liam Martin
- Latrell Mitchell
- Cameron Munster
- Cameron Murray (vc)
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Murray Taulagi
- Jake Trbojevic
- Jack Wighton
- Isaah Yeo (vc)
