Kangaroos celebrated in London ahead of clash with England

As the Kangaroos prepare to take on England in the first rugby league Ashes series since 2003, Josh Addo-Carr shared how he feels to be representing his people.

Credit: Annabel Moeller

Australia House has hosted the Australian national rugby league team for a reception ahead of the 2025 Ashes series against England in the United Kingdom.

The Kangaroos will meet the English side for the first instalment of the series on Saturday at Wembley Stadium and it will mark the kick off of the first Ashes in over 20 years.

On stage, coach Kevin Walters was joined by captain Isaah Yeo and Harry Grant to discuss the upcoming best-of-three series.

Josh Addo-Carr, a Wiradjuri and Gunggandji man and Parramatta Eels winger, said he was looking forward to the challenge of coming up against England and representing his country and heritage on the world stage.

“I just want to take it one step at a time and put my best foot forward and represent my family, my heritage and the best country in the world, Australia,” he said.

Steeped in history, the Ashes first took place in 1908 and was played 39 times with England winning 19 series to Australia’s 20.

After a 22-year-long hiatus, Australia are looking to stay ahead.

Australian High Commissioner, the Hon. Stephen Smith welcomes the Kangaroos to Australia House in London. Credit: Annabel Moeller

Addo-Carr told NITV his mob back home were very excited ahead of the first game this weekend.

“[I’m] very proud to be Indigenous and represent, obviously our family, but [also] where we’re from,” he said.

“It’s always a privilege to be a part of the Kangaroos team, but there’s a special feeling ... we only hold 3 per cent [of the Australian population] and I’m super proud to be a part of that 3 per cent and hopefully we can do our heritage proud.”

Addo-Carr will be running out to a crowd expected to exceed 60,000 on Saturday alongside five other Indigenous players: Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs, Bradman Best, Reuben Cotter and Gehamat Shibasaki.

Back home, family, friends and the whole mob will be setting their alarms ready for a 12:30am AEST kick off.

“As everyone knows all Blackfullas love rugby league and I always get messages and phone calls saying [they’re] really excited to, obviously watch me play, but watch the rest of the boys play as well,” Addo-Carr said.

"So hopefully we can do our people proud and represent over here in England."

The Kangaroos attended a reception at Australia House ahead of The Ashes taking place in the United Kingdom. Credit: Annabel Moeller

After the opener at Wembley, the team will travel north for the second and third games in Liverpool and Leeds.

“We can’t wait to go out there Saturday and over the next three weeks and represent our mob and where we’re from,” Addo-Carr said.

“Hopefully I score a couple of tries and do a shake a leg for everyone.”