Saturday isn’t just the start of the 2025 Ashes—it’s the first time Australia and England have clashed in a rugby league test match in eight long years.
With the planned Ashes series in 2020 cancelled due to the pandemic, the last meeting between the nations came in the 2017 World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, which Australia won 6-0.
As has been well publicised, the last Ashes series in the UK was held way back in 2003, something Australian captain Isaah Yeo was quick to acknowledge at this week’s official first test media conference in London.
“Last time there was an Ashes I was eight—I know I look older but I’m only 30,” Yeo quipped, referring to the successful 2003 Kangaroo tour led by captain Darren Lockyer and coach Chris Anderson.
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“Looking back at how passionate the players were, the way former players speak about the (Kangaroo) tours and how much it meant to them, 30 or 40 years ago,” he continued.
“You want the Australia squad of 2025 to look back on it in 30 years’ time and think about how wonderful it was to be an Australian player.”
It’s a similar view shared by first-time Australian head coach and 11-time Kangaroo Kevin Walters who says the upcoming series is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for many of his players.
“When I got the job, I rang a few of the players because there is noise around Australia about international rugby and where it sits on the calendar, they were very excited by it all,” Walters said.
“We’ve really skipped a generation of English and Australian players in these sorts of games and series—it could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for these players and staff.
“It’s a unique experience and if you are in the world of rugby league, this is where you want to be.”