Walker the Roos’ X-Factor: Inglis

He may have lost his $8,000 NRL premiership ring but Dylan Walker has received something many players would value as priceless.

Walker has been described as the Kangaroos’ new “X-factor” by a man who knows a thing or two about the tag – NRL superstar Greg Inglis.

The pain of losing his precious jewellery on a team cruise following South Sydney’s drought-busting NRL premiership was dulled somewhat when he became one of 11 new faces in the Kangaroos’ Four Nations squad.

And he was no doubt all smiles when included as one of the seven potential Test debutants unveiled in coach Tim Sheens’ 20-strong squad for Saturday night’s opener against New Zealand in Brisbane.

However, Walker will be beaming after hearing Inglis’s glowing appraisal of his clubmate after barely a week in the Kangaroos camp.

“He brings that little X factor with himself and to the team,” Inglis said.

“With Dyl he’s an excitement machine that turns up anywhere, on any play.

“He’s just one of those kids that loves to play footy.

“He thoroughly deserves his spot in the side.”

Walker is expected to earn a Test debut along with wingers Josh Mansour and Daniel Tupou along with prop Aaron Woods and bench backrower Aidan Guerra before Sheens again rotates his line-up.

However, Inglis believes Walker – who replaced NFL hopeful Jarryd Hayne at right centre – will be a backline mainstay in the Four Nations tournament.

“He has lots of skills and can fit in anywhere.”

“You can put him in at wing, centre, five-eighth and he’ll do a good job for you.

“He did that for us at Souths when Luke Keary was out for a long time earlier in the year.

“He’ll be in the backline throughout this tournament.”

Former Test strike weapon Steve Renouf – part of the Kangaroos 1994 squad to be honoured before Saturday night’s game – is also a fan.

“The thing I like about him is that he has been producing electric football from the start of the season right to the end – he has been consistent.

“I am excited with so many new faces to be honest.

“I don’t think it lessens the comp or cheapens the jersey.

“There’s a lot of people saying the top line players aren’t there but I am excited about looking at Walker, Mansour and Tupou – you would pay money to see those guys as much as the guys who are not there.”

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