Australia name squad for second Rugby League Ashes test as Isaah Yeo replacement revealed

Australia coach Kevin Walters has named his squad for the second Test of the Rugby League Ashes, and has made one change following their 26-6 Wembley victory.

The Kangaroos will be without skipper Isaah Yeo, who was forced from the field with concussion in the eighth minute of the game. The Penrith Panthers man failed the subsequent HIA, and due to protocols will miss this week’s Test, which takes place at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

He will be replaced by club teammate Lindsay Smith, who is set for his second Australia cap after his debut in the Pacific Championships Final last year. Smith has 80 NRL caps to his name, and was a part of Penrith’s 2023 and 2024 Grand Final winning squad.

His inclusion means that Patrick Carrigan will move to his natural position of loose forward, a role he frequented at Brisbane Broncos this season. Lindsay Collins will start in the front row, with Smith coming off the bench.

Reece Walsh had a dream debut in Green and Gold, scoring two tries, whilst also having his hand in two more and even saving two potential England opportunities in the first-half. His efforts earned him the Man of the Match award, and is currently in pole position to take home the newly-created Fulton-Reilly trophy, which is awarded to the Player of the Series.

Walters has opted to stick with the same halves pairing as the first Test. Despite naming five players in the squad capable of playing in the six and seven, it will be Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary who lead the Kangaroos forward. Harry Grant, who will now captain the Aussies in Yeo’s absence, continues at hooker.

We will have to wait until Thursday to see Shaun Wane’s England squad, with the boss expected to make more changes than his Australian counterpart.

Australia team to face England: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Lindsay Collins, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Patrick Carrigan. 14. Tom Dearden, 15. Lindsay Smith, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Keaon Koloamatangi, 18. Bradman Best, 19. Jacob Preston, 20. Mitchell Moses

LOCKED IN 🔒

Kevin Walters has confirmed Harry Grant will captain the Kangaroos in this Saturday’s Second Test at Liverpool’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. pic.twitter.com/6N2dvobVJp

— Kia Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 28, 2025