Young Blood

With the 2021 Rugby League World Cup on the horizon I thought be fun to have a go and see how the group stage will play out. Group A 1.Samoa 2.England 3.France 4.Greece May be a shock to some but I have Samoa topping this group in fact Samoa have a genuine chance of winning the whole tournament if their best squad is picked Roger Tuivasa Sheck has pegged me may play for his country of birth before he goes to Rugby, Jarome Luai, Brian To'o, Josh Papali'li and Junior Paulo all have pledged allegiance to Samoa. Luai paired with Dylan Brown and Samoa have a genuine halves pairing most tier 2 nations lack . Hosts England and runners up last world cup will be contenders the British players in Australia haven't played well but still England still be good enough to advance I fear they can't match it with Samoa in the forwards and even more troubling they lost to an All-star team. France have been going well as both French teams are topping the two tiers of Enlgish Rugby League. Greece on their debut who hoping on some reserve grade players form the Rabbitohs but don't have the talent to match it with other teams in the group. Group B 1.Australia 2.Fiji 3.Scotland 4.Italy Australia first not too much to discuss, Fiji made semi finals last 3 world cups, will have a quality back likes of Villame Kikau, Simms and Saifiti (potentially) Brothers Regan Campbell Gillard and powerful backs like Maika Sivo and Makale Ravalawawa with dynamic Ali Korosau Fiji will rely heavily on Brandon Wakeham at halfback. Scotland will can boast some quality backs like Lachlan Coote, Matty Russell, Euan Aitken and Campbell Graham ans possibly Stephen Critchon, question marks in the forwards though. Italy will no doubt won't have their best player James Tedesco as his will be picked for Australia, however their pack should be nice Nathan Browne Paul Vaughan Jack John's. Don't like their attacking options be a boost of Oliver Gildart can play for them. Group C 1.NZ 2.Lebanon 3.Ireland 4.Jamaica NZ well be first no doubt. Lebanon who just lost to Tonga in quarters finals last world. Cup. Looking to improve they will need their NRL to play Mitchell Moses and Adam Douehi form a very good halves pairing Josh Mansour and maybe Jason Saab could add strike to their backline, Alex Twal will lead a promising young forward pack. Ireland with plenty of super league players and won 2 games last tournament, they lack the class shame Luke Keary is injured and Kodi Nikorima wont be available . Jamaica on debut as well, hopefully Kallum Watkins and Ashton Golding play for them be a boost but will be weakest team on paper. Group D 1.Tonga 2.PNG 3.Cook Islands 4.Wales Tonga first no surprises, PNG Cook Islands a toss up I doubt Cook Islands have their best players available (Valentine Holmes, Joey Manu Charnze Nicol. Kloksats and Jordan Rapana, so PNG should so they get the edge. Wales can call upon Caleb Aitkens from Canberra to add with the wingers of Regan Grace and Rhys Williams have plenty of try's on them. What are your thoughts and where am I right or wrong.

Also Jack De Berlin, Michael De Vere Kerrod Holland are the Dutch by any chance?

Jake Averillo plays halfback the Bulldogs, uncle is Jason Van Blerk played for the Socceroos who is of Dutch decent.

Hey Welsh Magpie, are there any players from Hungary, Poland or Spanish heritage? Even if it's by great grandparents just curious too see any players from those countries as I my self hail from these nations. Ps I just followed you on IG

Also what's the rule on step parents are they counted in for eligibility???

Stephen Crichton from Penrith is also eligible for Scotland be a great coup is he plays for them but more likely he will play for Samoa.

Wakeham can also play for Lebanon he and Moses can form good halves combo.

If they play there best team they be really hard to beat . 1. Roger Tuivasa -Sheck 2. Ken Maumalolo 3. BJ Leiluia 4. Stephen Critchon 5. David Noufaluma 6. Anthony Milford 7. Dylan Brown 8. Junior Paulo 9. Jarome Luai 10. Payne Haas 11. Sonny Bill Williams 12. Josh Papali 13. Martin Tapau 14. Chanel Tevita Harris 15. James Fisher Harris 16. Nelson Asfoa Solomona 17. Jaydn S’uA This team will easily beat England and will give Tonga ,NZ and Australia big test. They have world class fowards that will steam roll nearly any pack. What Seperates them from Tonga is there spine with a legit halves pairing and an elite fullback . This team is a pipe dream in reality as most player will be selected for Australia/ NZ.

Does anyone any Dutch players that are playing in NRL or Super League . I know Ryan Papenhuyzen is Dutch any other players. They don’t have to be playing now any former players will be welcome. I’m doing a fantasy league I have done over 17 teams . Thanks in advance

Nathan Peats can play for Greece. Roger-Tuivasa Sheck can play for China Euan Aitken and Christian Welch for Poland Jackson Hastings mother was born in USA. Serbia can have decent squad Trbojevic brothers , Nic Cotric Paul Momroski and Nathan Cleary who is of Croatian decent but due to it being part Yugoslavia he can play for any current nation that was part Yugoslavia .

Hey great work Welsh Magpie, how do you find out this info . Can you do an Italy see what players they have ? Also what players qualify for Serbia through great grandparents trying to finish my Serbia team on PlayStation . regards .