Of all the people Kevin Walters and the Kangaroos thought they might bump into on the 2025 Ashes Tour to England, few would have expected a surprise visit from US megastar Jon Bon Jovi.
But that’s exactly what happened during the captain’s run at Wembley Stadium ahead of Saturday’s first test.
In London as part of planning and publicity for his upcoming ‘Forever’ world tour, Bon Jovi had been at the famous venue when the Kangaroos arrived for training on Friday afternoon.
“A manager came up and said ‘would it be alright if he (Bon Jovi) went out there and met the team?’,” managing director of Rugby League Commercial, Rhodri Jones explained of the surprise encounter.
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Shortly afterwards, the 63-year-old rock icon joined the Kangaroos on the pitch at the start of their captain’s run, posing for photos and laughing amongst the players and staff.
Bon Jovi was asked at one point if he had ever seen rugby league?
“I have seen it on television, these guys are tough sons of bitches, it’s football without helmets,” he replied.
@jonbonjovi 🦘 pic.twitter.com/G9PvHwHwoe
— Kia Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 24, 2025