Dylan Edwards confirmed for Kangaroos debut amid revelation about partner and kids

Dylan Edwards will make his debut for Australia on Saturday against Samoa, with the Penrith Panthers hero forced to postpone a holiday with his family after receiving a late call-up to Mal Meninga's squad. Edwards was initially overlooked for the Kangaroos squad, but was brought in when Josh Addo-Carr was suspended.

Edwards revealed on Monday that he had an end-of-season holiday booked in with his partner and two daughters, but has now had to put it on hold so he can represent his country. “I was packing as I got the phone call, so I cancelled all of that and am focused on this,” he told Channel 9. “(Footy) is a job, it’s a dream.”

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When asked if he'd ruled out the possibility of playing for Australia, the gun fullback said: “Not really, I hadn’t thought too much about it. I think playing in these sorts of sides are a by-product of success at club land too. I’m fortunate to be in a really good side back there and thought if ever the day comes, it’ll come and I’ll try and take it with both hands.”

Edwards will play on the wing and be one of four debutants for Australia against Samoa. Broncos backs Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs will start at wing and centre respectively, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be the other centre.

It will be a new-look backline to the one that helped Australia win the World Cup last year, with Addo-Carr (suspension), Latrell Mitchell (injury) and Jack Wighton (rep retirement) all missing. James Tedesco has retained his place at fullback despite an underwhelming season, forcing Edwards to the wing.

It means Edwards could mark-up against Panthers teammate Brian To'o. “He’ll probably try and run over me at some stage," Edwards said. I’m not sure (what the secret is to tackling To’o), just give it your all. He’s pretty slippery and a very hard man to tackle.”

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Edwards' call-up to the Kangaroos squad came after Addo-Carr was sanctioned by the NRL for his part in a wild brawl at the Koori Knockout Indigenous carnival. Last Friday, the NRL integrity unit finalised its investigation into the incident that took place on the NSW Central Coast at the 51st edition of the Indigenous rugby league competition.

Video footage appeared to show the Canterbury Bulldogs winger in a fight that broke out during a game between Walgett Aboriginal Connection and his Sydney All Blacks team, with spectators also becoming involved. The length of Addo-Carr's suspension will not be finalised until he responds to the breach notice issued to him by the NRL, but it is believed to be two games.

It means Addo-Carr is unlikely to feature in the Pacific Championship Test series that begins with a match against Samoa in Townsville on Saturday night. The Kangaroos will then play New Zealand on October 28.

Edwards' call-up comes as reward for some outstanding form with the Panthers over the last four years. The 27-year-old has helped the Panthers win three-consecutive premierships (from four grand finals), claiming the Clive Churchill Medal for his man his man-of-the-match performance in the 2022 decider.

Many had called for one of Edwards, Reece Walsh or Kalyn Ponga to replace Tedesco as Kangaroos fullback, and there was uproar when all three were initially overlooked for Meninga's 21-man squad. But Edwards now appears to be the front-runner to take over from Tedesco when his rep career comes to an end.

with AAP

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