New Kangaroos coach Kevvie Walters has revealed Raiders star five-eighth Ethan Strange could be considered as a utility for the Ashes tour given his versatility and strong form.

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Australia are blessed with mountains of talent in the playmaker roles with Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster the likely pairing if everyone is fit.

However, incumbent pair Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses are also in red hot form and guided Australia to victory in last year’s Pacific Championship final.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart backed Strange to play for Australia as early as this year’s Ashes tour despite the 20-year-old having only played 43 NRL games since his debut in 2023.

Walters is open to picking Strange and admitted form in the lead-up to and including the 2025 finals series would play a big part in his selection decisions.

“I think he’s putting himself in the picture,” Walters told foxsports.com.au.

“I mean we’ve got good depth in those positions as an Australian rugby league team, but when you’re playing the sort of football that he is.

“We’ve seen it in the past with Kangaroos tours and in the internationals at the end of the year, if you have a really strong finals series and your team is going well and playing well it puts you right there in the picture to get selected.

“I think his coach said through the week that he will play for the Kangaroos and for New South Wales and I don’t disagree with that, it’s just to remember when the timing is right for that to happen.”

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Often it depends who is fit and not set for surgery as to who tours with the Kangaroos after a long season and Cleary and Munster are no guarantee to play, given they will likely feature in the grand final or close to it.

Walters revealed he could even see Strange filling a number of positions given his size, speed and strength in defence.

“That’s been thrown up as well when he’s played centre for NSW in the under 19s State of Origin,” Walters said of the utility role.

“I can see him playing fullback. He’s got good game sense, he’s a bigger body, he’s fast and strong, so I think he’d handle multiple positions.

“That touring squad of 22 there’ll be three or four players that will have to be able to play multiple positions and he sort of fits the target there as well.”

Dearden is at somewhat of a disadvantage given he is playing in a struggling Cowboys side, who won’t be playing finals, but Walters believes he has the runs on the board for his state and country.

“That’s the luxury that we have right now at the Kangaroos, they’re all playing good football and in good teams,” Walters said.

“Tommy’s team is struggling a bit but he’s been the best player or top two or three players every week for the Cowboys and his form last year playing for the Kangaroos I think he won the man of the match in that final and then his Origin form this year as well was outstanding.

“He’s put himself well in the picture hasn’t he really regardless of what’s happening with his club side.

“He just needs to finish the season strongly and see where that takes him.”

Walters also opened the door for James Tedesco to earn a recall to the green and gold.

The Roosters skipper lost his stranglehold on the Blues fullback jersey to Dylan Edwards but Walters said that would not count against him.

“That doesn’t impact my decision at all,” Walters told Code Sports

“James Tedesco has put himself back in the frame with the season he’s had.”

“You can never have too much experience in your side and he brings plenty of that both on the field and off it,” Walters said.

“I will sit down with selectors post the grand final, and everyone knows the value he adds to that Roosters side. I feel like he’s had one of his better years in the last three or four.

“I love watching him play and the way he rallies his troops, and the leadership that he shows his younger teammates, he’s outstanding. He’s well in the picture, I can guarantee that.”

The Kangaroos side could look very different amid reports Payne Haas has defected to Samoa and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could join him.

However, Walters revealed he has had positive talks with the players and will wait until they finish their seasons before making a final call.

“It’s been really positive with all players that I have contacted,” Walters said.

“There’s been no commitment either way, but that’s okay.

“They want to get their season finished first and foremost. Tino is keen to get back playing for the Titans and finish the season strong.

“And Hammer is scrapping it out to get in the eight and stay there.

“I think it’s equally important for all those guys to focus on their clubs and get themselves playing some good football, which will help them progress longer into finals and then once they’re some season finishes, then they’ll have a look and see what the horizon looks like from there.”

All three are star players and losing them would be a massive blow for the Kangaroos, but Walters is confident he can build a winning team with or without the Origin trio.

“Having them play for the Kangaroos would be nice, but I’m certainly not going to force them or try and drag them into the Kangaroos,” Walters said.

“It will be their decision on who they play for and I totally respect whichever way they go.

“If not I’m really confident that regardless of what their decisions are we will have a very strong 22 players heading to England and if they’re part of it well I think that’s sensational, but if they’re not well I totally respect that as well.”

Walters considers his Kangaroos appointment one of the proudest moments of his career and he is excited to watch players put their hand up to tour over the next couple of months.

“I’m really enjoying it, the next four weeks and then into finals means a lot more now to me than what it did a few weeks ago when I didn’t have the job,” Walters said.

“I’m really looking forward to, like every other rugby league fan and NRL fan, the next four weeks and then into finals and who’s standing up, who’s playing well and that obviously puts him in a good position to get selected in that 22 man squad.

“What is equally important is your team’s form as well, which can help you get selection as well.

“There is so many good things to happen in the next eight weeks before the team gets announced after the grand final.”