Squad boost: Big guns back for Australia's Rugby League World Cup defence

Isaah Yeo, the Penrith star, was named captain of Australia’s Rugby League World Cup defence this month, with Kevin Walters also recalling Latrell Mitchell after a long injury layoff. Mitchell returns after being sidelined for three and a half months by a debilitating nerve injury, giving Australia major added “strike power” and experience ahead of a tournament held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October 15 to November 15. Walters included six debutants in a 23-man squad. Yeo will delay pectoral surgery to lead the team in Sydney’s group opener against New Zealand on October 16.