With the ASRL season rounding the final corner and headed into the home straight, Chris Walker-Bush, coach of league leading Gold Coast as well as reigning champions, Australia has announced an extended squad for this year's World Cup title defence.

ADELAIDE
Wendell Sailor

BRISBANE
Josh Hannay
Cameron Smith
Matt Bowen
Shane Webcke

DARWIN
Steve Menzies

GEELONG
Craig Frawley

GOLD COAST
Luke Rooney
Matt King
Andrew Johns
Jason Stevens

MELBOURNE
Brent Tate

NORTH QUEENSLAND
Ben Kirchner

NORTHERN
Trent Pariah
Michael DeVere
Ben Creagh
Brett Dallas
David Lyons

PARRAMATTA
Pat Richards
Craig Fitzgibbon

PERTH
Trent Waterhouse

SURFERS PARADISE
Darren Lockyer
Shaun Timmins
Rhys Wesser

SYDNEY
Amos Roberts
Craig Gower
Andrew Ryan
Craig Wing

TAMWORTH CITY
Matthew Gidley
Eron Bates

TASMANIA
Matthew Burke

WELLINGTON
Matt Orford

WOLLONGONG
Shaun Berrigan
Ian Hindmarsh
Lance Thompson

Chris Walker-Bush was quick to state that other players would doubtless be added as the season continued. Whilst no indication has been given, some sources claim this could be a likely Australian team.

1: Matthew Burke (Tasmania)
2: Trent Pariah (Northern)
3: Matt King (Gold Coast)
4: Brent Tate (Melbourne)
5: Luke Rooney (Gold Coast)
6: Darren Lockyer (Surfers Paradise)
7: Andrew Johns © (Gold Coast)
8: Jason Stevens (Gold Coast)
9: Cameron Smith (Brisbane)
10: Shane Webcke (Brisbane)
11: Craig Fitzgibbon (Parramatta)
12: Lance Thompson (Wollongong)
13: Trent Waterhouse (Perth)

14: Craig Wing (Sydney)
15: Steve Menzies (Darwin)
16: Ben Creagh (Northern)
17: Matt Bowen (Brisbane)