Ethan Strange has become one of the best number sixes in the NRL in 2025 – and all in just his second full season of first grade.
In a meteoric rise, Strange was a significant factor in the Canberra Raiders’ minor premiership during a season in which Ricky Stuart labelled his side as “overachieving,” despite being bundled out in straight sets in the finals.
Even though the season ended in disappointment for Strange and the Raiders, he is now one of the hottest commodities on the representative scene, with only one question hanging over him – who he would play for.
Strange is eligible to represent either Australia or New Zealand, and the Canberra Times has reported that after weighing up his international allegiance, a decision has finally been made.
The Raiders playmaker has declared himself available for the Australian Kangaroos, in what looms as a huge blow for New Zealand, who almost certainly would have picked him to start in their halves.
The Kangaroos do represent a tougher path to a starting jersey, with Cameron Munster a current lock to be selected in the number six jersey, where as New Zealand have seen last years five-eighth in Shaun Johnson retire.
Despite that, with Munster in his 30s and very few standout five-eighths in the competition, Strange is undoubtedly the Kangaroos’ number six of the future – possibly for the next decade.
He could still warrant selection in a new-look Kevin Walters Kangaroos side, particularly given his experience playing centre at NRL level when first breaking into grade.
Strange made his debut in 2023 at centre, and it remains a position the Kangaroos are incredibly short on, with the likes of Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Valentine Holmes, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow all sidelined through injury.
Whilst he only has two games of centre to his name at NRL level, he has played it more in lower grade and it could be a case of Walters needing to get creative with so few options at that position currently available.
His style of play could also see him emerge as a bolter for the bench utility role, with his ability to cover most positions across the backline if he needed to.
At just 21 years of age, one thing is certain – Ethan Strange has a long representative career ahead of him, and thankfully for Kangaroos fans, it will be in the green and gold.