Forget New Zealand. This looms as the biggest threat to Australia’s World Cup campaign

The biggest threat to Australia’s World Cup defence is not New Zealand, Tonga or Samoa – it will be November 1 when a host of superstars will become free agents.

Australia will have 11 players hit the open market midway through the tournament, including Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Latrell Mitchell and Sam Walker.

Even Australia’s captain Isaah Yeo is yet to officially extend at the Panthers, but said he had no plans to cut and run on the club, and his management was sorting through post-career options.

There has been enormous interest in player movement, and knowing what some of Australia’s biggest stars might do with their next career move – especially with the PNG Chiefs officially allowed to enter the market next month with their tax-free incentives – threatens to overshadow the second half of the tournament. The World Cup final will be played on November 15.

Grant will be free to talk to rivals should he fail to take up an option with the Storm for 2028, Munster and a return home to Queensland has persisted in the press, while the Sydney Roosters are eager to lock down Walker who is entitled to hold out for almost $1.5m a season, especially because of his age and now that he has won a premiership.

South Sydney have informed Mitchell they are prepared to wait until the start of next season to see how his body is before discussing what happens beyond 2027, while teammate David Fifita also enters the final year of his deal at the Rabbitohs.

Roosters skipper and Clive Churchill Medallist James Tedesco is yet to decide if he plays on beyond next season, and Bradman Best and Jack Bostock will have plenty of suitors should they not extend with Newcastle and the Dolphins respectively.

Penrith’s Liam Martin and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic also become fair game, but both have indicated they are eager to stay put.

Yeo said he was keen to secure a two or three-year extension, and if a deal was not official by the start of November, there was no cause for concern.

“It’s all pretty close, we’re just trying to tweak a few little things in the background, and how the [post career] might look,” the 31-year-old said.

“I love Penrith, it’s where I see my future.

“I don’t know if it will [be finalised by November 1]. I also think just because you hit November 1, it’s not like all of a sudden these offers and conversations are had, as much as fans might think that’s the case. It’s not how it looks.

“When you’re in this environment, winning should be your only focus. That will certainly be the case for me. You push things to the side, and you only have to wait two weeks [to resume talks].”

Australia coach Kevin Walters has experience dealing with speculation about player movement from his time in charge of the Broncos. He said the mid-tournament free agency period would not be a distraction for his squad. “I feel like the guys are all experienced players and know what they need to do. I don’t see it being an issue in camp. And we’ll make sure it doesn’t become one.

“There is a window in there when the open market starts, but it won’t impact us in any way.”

Meanwhile, Yeo said he had checked in on Nathan Cleary, the Penrith superstar who underwent surgery on a broken leg, then a second operation on a broken foot, which will sideline him until the start of next season.

Yeo said the pair had discussed the NFL rather than any injuries, and it was a shame injuries had denied his good friend another chance to wear the green and gold, after surgeries ruled him out of the Pacific Championships in 2023 and 2024.