RLWC 2017 - Train-on squads as they are announced

[Farmduck]

The Lebanese Rugby League Federation has selected a 40-man train-on squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup held in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
The squad features a host of NRL players, Australian-based Lebanese players and five domestic Lebanese players.

Cedars 40-man squad:
Mark Daoud (Asquith), Jamie Clark, Ahmad Ellaz, Abraham el Zakhem, Elie el Zakhem, Adnan el Zbaidieh (Auburn Warriors), Mario Boustani, Chris Saab, Nick Kassis (Blacktown Workers), Kayne Kalache, Michael Lichaa, Raymond Moujalli (Canterbury Bankstown), Imad Chidiac (Jounieh RLFC), Ben Chahoud (Hills Bulls), Wael Harb, Raymond Sabat (Lycans FC), Bilal Maarbani (Manly Sea Eagles), Abbas Miski (North Sydney), Anthony Layoun, Tim Mannah, Mitchell Moses (Parramatta), Adam Doueihi, Robbie Farah (South Sydney), Ali Abou Arabi (Tripoli RLFC), Danny Barakat, Mitchell Mammary, Tarek el Masri, Elias Sukkar (Wentworthville), Alex Twal, Bernard Kairouz, Jaleel Seve Derbas, Christian Yassmin (Wests Tigers), James Elias (West Newcastle), Toufic el Hage (Wolves RLFC).

The squad does not include Josh Mansour, Raymond Maroun (Penrith Panthers), Reece Robinson, Jason Wehbe (unattached), Travis Robinson (Newtown) who are finalising their clearances, Fittler said other players could be added or selected for the World Cup.

The Cedars have been drawn in Pool A of this year’s Rugby League world cup and will play Australia, England and France during the pool stages, with the top three teams progressing to the Quarter-Finals:
Lebanon vs France, 29 October 2017, Canberra Stadium
Lebanon vs England, 4 November 2017, Sydney Football Stadium
Lebanon vs Australia, 11 November 2017, Sydney Football Stadium

[Farmduck]

WALES

Wales train on squad:  Larne Patrick (Castleford Tigers), Zak Williams (Coventry Bears),

Courtney Davies, Steve Parry, Lewis Reece (all Gloucestershire All Golds),

Danny Ansell (Hunslet), Sam Hopkins (Leigh Centurions),

Michael Channing, Ben Evans, Dalton Grant, Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (all London Broncos),

Josh Ralph (Newcastle Knights), Matty Barron (Newcastle Thunder), Joe Burke (Oldham),

Caleb Aekins, Daniel Brown (both Penrith Panthers),

Ant Walker (Rochdale Hornets), Craig Kopczak (Salford Red Devils), Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles),

Morgan Evans, Connor Farrer, Andrew Gay, Christiaan Roets (all South Wales Ironmen),

Regan Grace, Elliot Jenkins, Morgan Knowles, Ben Morris, Calvin Wellington (all St Helens),

Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions),

Jake Emmitt, Dan Fleming (both Toronto Wolfpack),

Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves), Ollie Olds (West Brisbane Panthers),

Gil Dudson, Lloyd White (both Widnes Vikings),

Ben Flower (Wigan Warriors), Phil Joseph (Workington Town)

[deluded pom?]

Who'll be the first player either selected for two squads or jumps from one to another?

[Farmduck]

I think, of those already listed, only Mansour would be a possible but I don't think OZ will pick him anyway. My guess would be Tedesco, depending on who names their squad first. Meninga hasn't named anyone yet but I would consider the PM's XIII to constitute train-on squad selection. If that's true then Koroisau will be the first. He has no chance of making it onto the field for OZ but would walk straight into the Fiji 13.

[deluded pom?]

2 hours ago, Farmduck said:

I think, of those already listed, only Mansour would be a possible but I don't think OZ will pick him anyway. My guess would be Tedesco, depending on who names their squad first. Meninga hasn't named anyone yet but I would consider the PM's XIII to constitute train-on squad selection. If that's true then Koroisau will be the first. He has no chance of making it onto the field for OZ but would walk straight into the Fiji 13.

But if he's no chance of being named in the Australian squad then he won't be named in both or jump from one to the other will he?

[Getmefood]

3 hours ago, deluded pom? said:

Who'll be the first player either selected for two squads or jumps from one to another?

looks like Solomone Kata http://www.rlwc2017.com/news/winning-starts-monday-kata-and-lolohea-choose-tonga-over-kiwis

[Farmduck]

I almost suggested Kata but I thought he'd stick with the NZers

[Farmduck]

Strictly speaking though, the NZers haven't named any train-on squad so Kata doesn't count. I'm not sure what their holdup is.

[Farmduck]

USA 23-man Squad:

Jonathan Taylor Alley (Central Florida Warriors)
Ryan Burroughs (Toronto Wolfpack)
Charles ‘CJ' Cortalano (White Plains Wombats)
Joseph Eichner (Toronto Wolfpack)
Bureta Faraimo (NZ Warriors)
Gabriel Farley (Philadelphia Fight)
Kristian Freed (White Plains Wombats)
Daniel Howard (Wentworthville Magpies)
Stephen Howard (Mounties)
Martwain Johnston (Delaware Black Foxes)
Andrew Kneisly (Philadelphia Fight)
Corey Makelim (Mounties)
Fotukava ‘Hiko' Malu (Atlanta Rhinos)
David Marando (Belrose Eagles)
Nicholas Newlin (Atlanta Rhinos)
Mark Offerdahl (London Broncos)
Edward Pettybourne (Tweed Heads Seagulls)
Joshua Rice (New York Knights)
Matthew Shipway (South Newcastle)
Samuel Tochtermann-Talbott (Tweed Heads Seagulls)
David Ulch (Tampa Mayhem)
Taioalo Junior Vaivai (Illawarra Wests Devils)
Matthew Walsh (White Plains Wombats)

Coach: Brian McDermott:
Assistant Coach: Mark Gliddon & Sean Rutgerson
Team Manager: Deanne Lees
Communications Manager: Steve Williams

 

http://www.rlwc2017.com/news/team-usa

[MatthewWoody]

 

[Farmduck]

54 is a lot of players but I think a few may drop out. Josh Mantellato might be injured - hasn't played recently for Wyong. Tedesco will probably be in the OZ squad after his 3 tries against PNG on the weekend. (but Tom Turbo also got 3 so how many FBs can they pick.) I think Terry Campese's team won the Canberra Raiders Cup, the local GF and terry got through the whole season uninjured.

Aloiai might make the Samoan squad. Mason Cerruto should be playing for Panthers against the Hunters on GF day. He's a FB if Tedesco isn't available. Brendan Santi had a good game for Wyong on the weekend. I think Jack Johns from the Knights is the son of Matthew and Matthew's wife, Patricia, speaks Italian so she might have Italian parents.

[Number 16]

Home-based Italians underlined. A fair few, but hopefully some will make the final cut.

F.I.R.L. Rugby League World Cup 2017 – Training Squad

Aidan Guerra – Sydney Roosters
Alberto Mariani – Brianza Tigers
Alec Susino – Mounties
Alex Mammone – Halifax
Alvise Rigo – Leoni Veneti
Brenden Santi – Sydney Roosters/Wyong Roos
Chris Centrone – Wyong Roos 
Colin Wilkie – Northern Pride 
Christophe Calegari – Palau XIII Broncos
Daniel Alvaro – Parramatta Eels 
Fabio Borina – Spartans Catania
Dean Parata – Blacktown Workers 
Edoardo Pezzano – Spartans Catania/Tully Tigers 
Emanuele Passera – XIII del Ducato 
Fabrizio Ciaurro – XIII del Ducato
Gavin Hiscox – Central Queensland Capras
Gioele Celerino – Saluzzo NWR/Tully Tigers 
Giorgio Draghi – Brianza Tigers
Giuseppe Pagani – Lions Brescia
Ismail Byaoui – Lions Brescia
Jack Campagnolo – Northern Pride 
Jack Johns – Newcastle Knights 
James Tedesco – Wests Tigers 
Jayden Walker – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Jaume Giorgis – Saluzzo NWR
Joe Tramontana – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Joel Riethmuller – Northern Pride 
Josh Aloiai – Wests Tigers 
Josh Mantellato – Wyong Roos 
Justin Castellaro – Northern Pride 
Kieran Quabba –  Townsville Districts Blackhawks
Lorenzo Leandro – Lions Brescia 
Lucas Bruzzone – Saluzzo NWR 
Luis Lollo – Brianza Tigers 
Luke Polselli – Manly Sea Eagles
Mark Minichiello – Hull FC 
Mason Cerruto –Penrith Panthers/St Marys
Matt Parata – Souths Logan Magpies
Mirco Bergamasco – Leoni Veneti 
Nathan Brown – Parramatta Eels 
Nathan Milone – Wests Tigers 
Oliver Gildart – Wigan Warriors 
Davide Spinnato – XIII Lovers Palermo 
Patrick Ziliotti – Brianza Tigers 
Paul Vaughan – St. George Illawarra Dragons
Richard Lepori – Oldham Roughyeds
Ryan Ghietti – Northern Pride 
Ryan King – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Ryan Tramonte – Windsor Wolves
Igor Gianmario – Spartans Catania 
Shannon Wakeman – Huddersfield Giants 
Simone Boscolo – Leoni Veneti/Tully Tigers 
Terry Campese – Queanbeyan Blues
Tommaso Nicoli – Leoni Veneti 

[DoubleD]

Gildart has apparently ruled himself out too

[MatthewWoody]

16 hours ago, Farmduck said:

54 is a lot of players but I think a few may drop out. Josh Mantellato might be injured - hasn't played recently for Wyong. Tedesco will probably be in the OZ squad after his 3 tries against PNG on the weekend. (but Tom Turbo also got 3 so how many FBs can they pick.) I think Terry Campese's team won the Canberra Raiders Cup, the local GF and terry got through the whole season uninjured.

Aloiai might make the Samoan squad. Mason Cerruto should be playing for Panthers against the Hunters on GF day. He's a FB if Tedesco isn't available. Brendan Santi had a good game for Wyong on the weekend. I think Jack Johns from the Knights is the son of Matthew and Matthew's wife, Patricia, speaks Italian so she might have Italian parents.

Cerruto played the Qualifiers as a fullback, I'd bring Lepori too, given he can play in more than one position.

About Tedesco, of course – as it happens with lots of Tongan etc. players – you'll have to wait until the final Kangaroos' team is released. Of course having him in the team would change the whole thing for Italy, given he's a world class player.

Campese's a great (injury free, luckily) season in the Canberra division. I've recently interviewed him – will put here the link as soon as I get to my laptop – and told me he'd like to be a coach one day. He's had a player/coach role for his hometown club this season and I think he kept playing just to stay in form for the World Cup. Not the player he was, but still a great playmaker imho.

Of course the list is very large, but as some of you pointed out, there are injurues or double about some players so that's why I think Cameron chose to name a so large train on squad for now. Some players (including some homegrown) will be involved in rep, test and friendly games down under. The Malta v Italy game has been officialised while there should be at least 1 or 2 more games for those who don't make the cut.

Recently talked to Mirco Bergamasco (the article will be published in English on the RLWC Fan Club newsletter) and he's very motivated. He'd be the 1st Italian dual code International to play in both codes' World Cups. 

Back on the whole squad, I think it all depends on Tedesco. If he's in, I think Italy are very competitive and can really think about the QFs. 

What I'm sure is that the pack is very good, with Vaughan, Mark Mini (not in 2016 form, but still a top and a true leader), Alvaro, Wakeman (this season in England helped him, imho), ecc. 

Wyong Roos' guys made the GF this season if I'm not wrong and will be fired up, too.

Our 3 homegrown Italian lads who play in the Cairns division down under are in good form, too. Gioele's won the MOTM several times playing 1st grade for Tully, while Edo and Simone won the Cairns 2nd Division Grand-Final with Tully Reserves. I hope more lads will follow their example and try to test themselves in UK/Australia to improve their skills. 

On those guys who play in Italy, Giorgis (Saluzzo) is very talented and has already 6 caps for Italy. June tests in Lebanon and v Spain were very important for some of these players and the Beirut one in particular was very close. Players improved thanks to their effort and to the several stages and camps the Italy staff has done all year long. 

 

 

[Farmduck]

New Zealand 

Due Thursday October 5

England 

Due Monday October 9

 

Papua New Guinea

Due Wednesday October 4

Italy

Due Thursday October 5

Fiji

Due Saturday October 7

Wales

Due Tuesday October 10

Scotland 

Due Tuesday October 10

 

All squads due by Friday October 13, with the tournament to kick off in Melbourne on Friday October 27 when Australia takes on England.

[B rad]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/full-squads-for-every-team-at-the-2017-rugby-league-world-cup/news-story/161dcc489109c2a8bbf6a65746d5239e

Few more squads and information there.