James Tedesco

The back row of Jacob Preston, Liam Martin and Isaiah Yeo.

The captain on the bench, Ethan Strange, Kion Koloma Tangi, Cam Murray, Ruben Cotter, Lindsay Smith and James Tedesco.

Sam Walker is in the extended reserves with Latrell Mitchell and David Fufita.

Cam Murray's got to be Cam Murray's got to play more than 50 minutes

I'm going to focus on what I think are the top three off-contract fullbacks.

Hamaso, Tabui Fido, James Tedesco, and Tommy Turbo in there as well.

First of all, a little bit of talk around Hamaso.

I haven't really heard much about other people being interested in Hammer at this stage.

He's been on like kind of 12-month deals, being a bit like a fine wine teddy.

There's always talk around – You know, well, there has been Herbie to come to fullback.

James Tedesco, he's getting a bit older, but still producing on the field, Teddy, isn't he?

Yeah, absolutely.

So we are looking for 2028.

So the two biggest consequential things there are, let's go, James Tedesco, will he retire or not? It's looking likely that he will.

And then, of course, Sam Walker's contract.

Yeah, well, Tedesco, I mean, reports have gone both ways in recent days.

He started his career at fullback.

The Roosters are going to want options in that number one jersey moving forward.

Obviously, we talked about James Tedesco just before.

So I think Savage would be a really, really good get for the Roosters.

You know, Sammy Walker can only really play in the halves, whereas Strange, he can play in the centres, he can play back row or lock if he needs to, so...

Yeah, Kerrigan and Fusil Malaui in the front row, Preston Martin in the back row, Yo at lock, Harry Grant, Hooker, Strange, Clymer, Tungy, Ken Murray, Ruben Cotter, Lindsay Smith, James Tedesco, all on the interchange bench up against a Cook Island side that they shouldn't have too much trouble knocking over.

However, I do want to see them in flow.

They haven't really been in a good flow.

He can play back row or lock if he needs to.

Yeah, Kerrigan and Fusil Malawi in the front row, Preston Martin in the back row, Yo at lock, Harry Grant, Hooker, Strange, Clymer, Tungy, Ken Murray, Ruben Cotter, Lindsay Smith, James Tedesco, all on the interchange bench up against a Cook Island side that they shouldn't have too much trouble knocking over.

However, I do want to see them in flow.

They haven't really been in a good flow.

it? This team needs to get going and get going quick.

And I have a feeling that there'll be no Tedesco.

Okay, right.

What have you got, G-Man? Take us through the Australian side for the Cook Islands, which we believe will be the primary side at this stage for Kevvy.

Up front, you've got Pat Carrigan, Harry Grant and Tino Fa'asoa-Maleawi in the front row.

The back row of Jacob Preston, Liam Martin and Isaiah Yeo.

The captain on the bench, Ethan Strange, Kion Koloma Tangi, Cam Murray, Ruben Cotter, Lindsay Smith and James Tedesco.

Sam Walker is in the extended reserves with Latrell Mitchell and David Fufita.

He played well enough, but he's played some absolutely electrifying games for the Roosters, and he's played some games that are a bit lacklustre.

And you compare him... to a player like James Tedesco, who plays pretty much at the same level every week.

I mean, he's extraordinary teddy involved in the game.

So interesting.

Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters isn't ruling out further changes to his side after this weekend's match against the Cook Islands.

Both Sam Walker and James Tedesco have played at fullback with Australia now qualified for the semi-finals, but Walters says he's taking things one week at a time.

Sounds very boring, but that's how it's got to be when you're in the rugby league cycle because so many things can happen and without giving too much away, the team we picked this week is the team to play the Cook Islands and whether it's got anything to do with the following week against the finals, we'll just have to wait and see.

Premiership-winning halfback Sam Walker is expected to hit the open market just days after making his Kangaroos test debut.