Terry Zarsoff
First Grader
Article in today’s SMH, Kevvy wants Jake for the Australian team:
He was the Blues’ forgotten man. Now he’s in line for a Kangaroos recall
By Christian Nicolussi
August 7, 2025 — 3.30pm
Jake Trbojevic is on Kevin Walters’ radar for the end-of-season Ashes series as the new Kangaroos coach braces for the defection of several frontline forwards.
After captaining NSW to an Origin series win in 2024, the Manly skipper was overlooked by Laurie Daley for this season’s series defeat – but Trbojevic’s big-game experience and past performances in the green and gold have not been forgotten by Walters.
The expected defection of Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to join Spencer Leniu in representing Samoa, and with Stefano Utoikamanu considering pledging allegiance to Tonga – means four front-rowers involved in this year’s Origin series will be unavailable for the Kangaroos’ three-Test series in England. Mitch Barnett is also out with a season-ending knee injury.
Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Smith, Max King, Reuben Cotter, and Josh King are all in the Kangaroos mix, but coach Walters will have a close look at 31-year-old Trbojevic in the Sea Eagles’ run home to the finals, starting with Friday’s clash against ladder-leaders Canberra.
Trbojevic last played for Australia against New Zealand in Melbourne in 2023. Walters is expected to pick at least five specialist front-rowers in his 22-man squad.
“Jake has never let anyone down when he has played for Australia – we want 22 blokes ready to go, who want to play for their country, and Jake certainly fits that category,” Walters said on Thursday.
Roos’ radar: Jake Trbojevic is in the mix for the Ashes series.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
“I coached against him, and you know what you get with him. His tackling technique is so good – ask someone who has been hit by him, and they’ll give you your answer.
“A person of his calibre and character is always important to a team. He’s certainly in the mix. I feel like we have good depth in that area, including the guys who were there last year, like Patty and Lindsay Smith and Lindsay Collins, while there will also be players who jump out during the finals series.”
Manly have offered both Trbojevic and his brother Tom contract extensions. The club is still working out the length of Tom’s deal, while Jake’s extension is expected to be for one year, taking him through to the end of 2027.
But local junior Jake has parked talks until he can be confident his body can cope with the rigours of NRL football beyond 2026.
Jake Trbojevic in action against New Zealand in 2023.CREDIT: NRL IMAGES
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said he wasn’t surprised Trbojevic was in the international conversation. “After an injury-interrupted start to the season, and missing a number of games with a couple of head knocks, he has been very consistent his last five games,” Seibold said.
“Every team he plays for knows what they are going to get with Jake. That’s why we love having him here at Manly – he’s a consistent player who is passionate with his actions.”
The schedule for the Pacific Championships, which will feature New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa, was released on Wednesday. In-form Sydney Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte played all three Tests for the Kiwis last year but is weighing up a move to Tonga.
He was the Blues’ forgotten man. Now he’s in line for a Kangaroos recall
By Christian Nicolussi
August 7, 2025 — 3.30pm
Jake Trbojevic is on Kevin Walters’ radar for the end-of-season Ashes series as the new Kangaroos coach braces for the defection of several frontline forwards.
After captaining NSW to an Origin series win in 2024, the Manly skipper was overlooked by Laurie Daley for this season’s series defeat – but Trbojevic’s big-game experience and past performances in the green and gold have not been forgotten by Walters.
The expected defection of Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to join Spencer Leniu in representing Samoa, and with Stefano Utoikamanu considering pledging allegiance to Tonga – means four front-rowers involved in this year’s Origin series will be unavailable for the Kangaroos’ three-Test series in England. Mitch Barnett is also out with a season-ending knee injury.
Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Smith, Max King, Reuben Cotter, and Josh King are all in the Kangaroos mix, but coach Walters will have a close look at 31-year-old Trbojevic in the Sea Eagles’ run home to the finals, starting with Friday’s clash against ladder-leaders Canberra.
Trbojevic last played for Australia against New Zealand in Melbourne in 2023. Walters is expected to pick at least five specialist front-rowers in his 22-man squad.
“Jake has never let anyone down when he has played for Australia – we want 22 blokes ready to go, who want to play for their country, and Jake certainly fits that category,” Walters said on Thursday.
Roos’ radar: Jake Trbojevic is in the mix for the Ashes series.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
“I coached against him, and you know what you get with him. His tackling technique is so good – ask someone who has been hit by him, and they’ll give you your answer.
“A person of his calibre and character is always important to a team. He’s certainly in the mix. I feel like we have good depth in that area, including the guys who were there last year, like Patty and Lindsay Smith and Lindsay Collins, while there will also be players who jump out during the finals series.”
Manly have offered both Trbojevic and his brother Tom contract extensions. The club is still working out the length of Tom’s deal, while Jake’s extension is expected to be for one year, taking him through to the end of 2027.
But local junior Jake has parked talks until he can be confident his body can cope with the rigours of NRL football beyond 2026.
Jake Trbojevic in action against New Zealand in 2023.CREDIT: NRL IMAGES
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said he wasn’t surprised Trbojevic was in the international conversation. “After an injury-interrupted start to the season, and missing a number of games with a couple of head knocks, he has been very consistent his last five games,” Seibold said.
“Every team he plays for knows what they are going to get with Jake. That’s why we love having him here at Manly – he’s a consistent player who is passionate with his actions.”
The schedule for the Pacific Championships, which will feature New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa, was released on Wednesday. In-form Sydney Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte played all three Tests for the Kiwis last year but is weighing up a move to Tonga.
