The NRL is brimming with elite centres.
Trouble is, few are available to represent Australia on the end-of-season Kangaroo Tour to England.
Some of the biggest names in the game have already declared they will be representing other nations this October—while more continue to be ruled out through injury.
The cupboard is bare and with news this week that both South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic have withdrawn, it’s getting barer by the day.
MORE: Every English player in the NRL - Who is pushing for Ashes selection?
Form aside, of the sixteen starting centres featuring in week one of the NRL finals just eight would be eligible for Australian selection if selectors were interested—and one of those is Warriors second-rower Kurt Capewell.
In addition to Mitchell and Trbojevic, 2025 State of Origin trio of Robert Toia (Tonga), Stephen Crichton (Samoa) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (MCL) are already out, as is rep veteran Valentine Holmes who continues to recover from a season-ending shoulder injury.
It’s quite a dilemma for incoming Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters who may need to make some left-field selection calls in the coming weeks to bolster his backline.
Broncos pair Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki are sure to feature prominently in discussions, as will Newcastle’s Bradman Best. Raiders half Ethan Strange looms as smokey in the centres along with breakout Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase who you get the feeling could play anywhere on the park and be successful.
Despite featuring almost exclusively at five-eighth for the Bulldogs in 2025, five-time Kangaroo Matt Burton could easily find himself shifted into the centres, adding international experience and versatility to Kevin Walters’ fast-depleting backline.
Of course, with the NRL finals only just beginning there are likely to be more twists—and, alas, injuries—to be navigated before the Aussies touch down at Heathrow next month.
It could be a case of last centre standing.