Peter V’landys whacks R360 as Kangaroos name strong Ashes squad with seven rookies

Peter V’landys has laughed off the threat of R360 overshadowing the upcoming Ashes tour, with the ARLC chairman calling the rebel league a “competition out of a Corn Flakes box” that has the potential to end careers.

The new league gained traction during grand final week, with a stack of NRL and NRLW stars linked with a move to the rival code when it starts next year.

Eels winger Zac Lomax was one of those players heavily linked, and there are fears the potential move will be a distraction during the tour of the UK after he was named in the 24-man Kangaroos squad for the historic series.

“Any competition that comes out of a Corn Flakes box, I’m not really concerned about,” V’landys said at the squad announcement in Sydney on Monday morning.

“That’s what it is. It’s a completely unprofessional (concept), they’ve got no business plan, and any player that goes is really risking their career.

“You only have to look at Salford this year in Super League which was a similar situation where the players didn’t get paid.

“It’s a competition out of a Corn Flakes box so I’m not going to be concerned about it.”

New Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters said he had “no concern” picking Lomax or try-scoring machine Mark Nawaqanitawase who will rejoin rugby at the end of the 2026 season.

“We’ve got the full support of the Commission on the selection of the side,” Walters said, not worried about where players might be in the future.

“We’re focusing on these three Tests. What happens next year or in two years’ time is out of our control. What we can control is the selection of this team for the Ashes series.

“I wouldn’t have thought so (that it’d be a distraction in camp) having spoken to Zac himself. He’s got a good mindset around the tour and he’s been training extremely hard and focusing on the tour to get himself fit and ready for selection.

“I’ve had several conversations with him so he’s right to go. I didn’t talk to him about the rugby stuff.

“It’s more a focus on the Kangaroos and making sure he’s fit and ready to go because we’ve all seen what he can do on the field and we need him to produce that form at Wembley and on from there.”

There are seven new faces in the Australian squad, including Clive Churchill Medal winner Reece Walsh who is the favourite to beat out incumbent Dylan Edwards for the fullback job after veteran James Tedesco withdrew.

He’s joined by Broncos teammate Gehamat Shibasaki who started the year on a train-and-trial contract but finished 2025 with a premiership ring, an Origin debut and a spot in the Kangaroos squad.

Fellow Bronco Kotoni Staggs returns to the Aussie team after he and Keaon Koloamatangi chose to represent the Kangaroos over Tonga, while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also turned down the chance to play for Samoa.

“The Australian Kangaroos are steeped deep in heritage, and those guys feel a connection with the jersey,” Walters said after Payne Haas made the call to represent Samoa at the Pacific Championships.

“It’s great that Tino, Kotoni and Keaon have committed because they’re three of our great players in this side and they’ll all make a really strong contribution to the success of the series.

“I’ve spoken to all three players, and certainly in Kotoni’s and Tino’s case, they’ve got unfinished business in the Australian jersey and they get an opportunity to right a few wrongs.

“Keaon grew up dreaming of playing for Australia so we’re very grateful as the Kangaroos coach that he’s committed to the Australian jersey.”

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Isaah Yeo (capt), Blayke Brailey, Patrick Carrigan, Nathan Cleary, Xavier Coates, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Tom Dearden, Dylan Edwards, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Zac Lomax, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jacob Preston, Gehamat Shibasaki, Lindsay Smith, Kotoni Staggs, Ethan Strange, Reece Walsh, Hudson Young