thebrewxi Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Let's assume the World Cup goes ahead, and Australia and New Zealand don't bother turning up. But let's also assume the NRL doesn't block any players who want to turn up and play for countries the IRL currently says they are eligible to play for as second tier nations. I appreciate this is a big ask, but really really hope the NRL, or the individual clubs, don't block Tongan, Fijian etc players as I think this will be the NRL vs the IRL and will kill off meaningful internationals for years and will have irreversible damage for the professional game in the UK. But anyway, assume NRL players are free to come. In a perfect storm, what players could we see at the World Cup?: Italy: James Tedesco, Paul Vaughan (he isn't scared of Covid anyway!), Nathan Brown, Jack Johns Samoa: , Brian To’o, Josh Papalii, Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Jamayne Isaako, Ken Maumalo, Leeson Ah Mau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Fiji: Daniel Saifiti, Tariq Sims, Apisai Koroisau Serbia: The Trbojevics, Nick Cotric Ireland: does Luke Keary qualify? Not sure. Similarly Nelson Asofa-Solomona? Wales: Tyson Frizell Cook Islands: Valentine Holmes, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Manu, Zane Tetevano, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Joseph Tapine Lebanon: Mitchell Moses, Josh Mansour I've missed off PNG, but they are pretty good rounding up a team anyway. But suggest Xavier Coates would usually be holding out for a Kangaroo jersy Tonga:....... too many. Have I missed anyone? Samoa look a bit tasty! Cook Islands don't look too bad either. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM2010 Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 I mentioned on another thread that I'd like to see all the eligible Australian and NZ players declare for other nations so they can still play in the WC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrewxi Posted July 28, 2021 Author Share Posted July 28, 2021 I missed off David Fifita for Tonga! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londonrlfan Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 21 hours ago, thebrewxi said: Let's assume the World Cup goes ahead, and Australia and New Zealand don't bother turning up. But let's also assume the NRL doesn't block any players who want to turn up and play for countries the IRL currently says they are eligible to play for as second tier nations. I appreciate this is a big ask, but really really hope the NRL, or the individual clubs, don't block Tongan, Fijian etc players as I think this will be the NRL vs the IRL and will kill off meaningful internationals for years and will have irreversible damage for the professional game in the UK. But anyway, assume NRL players are free to come. In a perfect storm, what players could we see at the World Cup?: Italy: James Tedesco, Paul Vaughan (he isn't scared of Covid anyway!), Nathan Brown, Jack Johns Samoa: , Brian To’o, Josh Papalii, Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Jamayne Isaako, Ken Maumalo, Leeson Ah Mau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Fiji: Daniel Saifiti, Tariq Sims, Apisai Koroisau Serbia: The Trbojevics, Nick Cotric Ireland: does Luke Keary qualify? Not sure. Similarly Nelson Asofa-Solomona? Wales: Tyson Frizell Cook Islands: Valentine Holmes, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Manu, Zane Tetevano, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Joseph Tapine Lebanon: Mitchell Moses, Josh Mansour I've missed off PNG, but they are pretty good rounding up a team anyway. But suggest Xavier Coates would usually be holding out for a Kangaroo jersy Tonga:....... too many. Have I missed anyone? Samoa look a bit tasty! Cook Islands don't look too bad either. Wow Samoa would become a contender overnight if they all declared. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrewxi Posted July 29, 2021 Author Share Posted July 29, 2021 As an outside bet, Serbia and Norway are being suggested as easy to organise choices to replace NZ and Oz. Norway: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Robertson Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 You might have missed him because he was born there rather than being 'heritage' but Stephen Crichton for Samoa. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Robertson Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 Also for Samoa - Nofoaluma, Taupau, Harris-Tavita, Su'A. The list goes on and on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshmagpie Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 On 28/07/2021 at 11:03, thebrewxi said: Let's assume the World Cup goes ahead, and Australia and New Zealand don't bother turning up. But let's also assume the NRL doesn't block any players who want to turn up and play for countries the IRL currently says they are eligible to play for as second tier nations. I appreciate this is a big ask, but really really hope the NRL, or the individual clubs, don't block Tongan, Fijian etc players as I think this will be the NRL vs the IRL and will kill off meaningful internationals for years and will have irreversible damage for the professional game in the UK. But anyway, assume NRL players are free to come. In a perfect storm, what players could we see at the World Cup?: Italy: James Tedesco, Paul Vaughan (he isn't scared of Covid anyway!), Nathan Brown, Jack Johns Samoa: , Brian To’o, Josh Papalii, Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Jamayne Isaako, Ken Maumalo, Leeson Ah Mau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Fiji: Daniel Saifiti, Tariq Sims, Apisai Koroisau Serbia: The Trbojevics, Nick Cotric Ireland: does Luke Keary qualify? Not sure. Similarly Nelson Asofa-Solomona? Wales: Tyson Frizell Cook Islands: Valentine Holmes, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Manu, Zane Tetevano, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Joseph Tapine Lebanon: Mitchell Moses, Josh Mansour I've missed off PNG, but they are pretty good rounding up a team anyway. But suggest Xavier Coates would usually be holding out for a Kangaroo jersy Tonga:....... too many. Have I missed anyone? Samoa look a bit tasty! Cook Islands don't look too bad either. Check ‘hecanplayfor’ on Instagram and Twitter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrewxi Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share Posted August 2, 2021 Just watching Manly v Sharks. Lebanon: Jason Saab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshmagpie Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 12 hours ago, thebrewxi said: Just watching Manly v Sharks. Lebanon: Jason Saab Nigeria - yes. Lebanon - no. His step-dad is Lebanese, but there’s no blood link so I’d be amazed if he’s eligible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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