The World Cup

[EastLondonMike]

There are going to be some wonderful players on show at this World Cup.

NZ seemed to have slipped under the radar a bit with all the talk being Tonga, Samoa and Australia, but I do think the kiwis are a strong chance of winning the whole thing.

maybe they do lack a bit of genuine x-factor in the outside backs, but regardless, still look pretty strong.

[Madrileño]

11 hours ago, Davo5 said:

Has Dylan Edwards & Cleary find Samoan grandparents ?

"Have"

"Found"

 

[Davo5]

2 minutes ago, Madrileño said:

"Have"

"Found"

 

Wow

[Davo5]

10 minutes ago, EastLondonMike said:

There are going to be some wonderful players on show at this World Cup.

NZ seemed to have slipped under the radar a bit with all the talk being Tonga, Samoa and Australia, but I do think the kiwis are a strong chance of winning the whole thing.

maybe they do lack a bit of genuine x-factor in the outside backs, but regardless, still look pretty strong.

Joey Manu ?

[UTK]

Tonga have posted a photo of their World Cup squad as currently assembled in England, 22 players are in the picture with my assumption that Soni Luke and Will Penisini are the two still remaining in Australia. One player is obscured but I think it may be Konrad Hurrell. 

The most notable exceptions here are Tui Lolohea and Addin Fonua-Blake, not that this is a definitive squad but both players would be big blows if ruled out.

The photo in question: 

Predicted squad based on photo:

1. Tesi Niu
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Will Penisini
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Sione Katoa
6. Junior Amone
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Mo Fotuiaka
9. Siliva Havili
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Haumole Olakau'atu
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Soni Luke
15. Tevita Tatola
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. David Fifita

18. Konrad Hurrell
19. Tolu Koula
20. Christian Tuipulotu
21. Moses Suli
22. Ben Murdoch-Masila
23. Agnatius Paasi
24. Taniela Otukolo
 

[ghost crayfish]

9 minutes ago, UTK said:

Tonga have posted a photo of their World Cup squad as currently assembled in England, 22 players are in the picture with my assumption that Soni Luke and Will Penisini are the two still remaining in Australia. One player is obscured but I think it may be Konrad Hurrell. 

The most notable exceptions here are Tui Lolohea and Addin Fonua-Blake, not that this is a definitive squad but both players would be big blows if ruled out.

The photo in question: 

Predicted squad based on photo:

1. Tesi Niu
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Will Penisini
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Sione Katoa
6. Junior Amone
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Mo Fotuiaka
9. Siliva Havili
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Haumole Olakau'atu
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Soni Luke
15. Tevita Tatola
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. David Fifita

18. Konrad Hurrell
19. Tolu Koula
20. Christian Tuipulotu
21. Moses Suli
22. Ben Murdoch-Masila
23. Agnatius Paasi
24. Taniela Otukolo
 

Agree if Lolohea is out, that's a bit blow. He's been a really important, underestimated player for Tonga. Not a bad team, but not as strong as they were in 2017-2019. On paper at least, Samoa is stronger for this tournament. Tonga probably have the better coach though, so it'll be interesting!

[Mojo]

58 minutes ago, UTK said:

Tonga have posted a photo of their World Cup squad as currently assembled in England, 22 players are in the picture with my assumption that Soni Luke and Will Penisini are the two still remaining in Australia. One player is obscured but I think it may be Konrad Hurrell. 

The most notable exceptions here are Tui Lolohea and Addin Fonua-Blake, not that this is a definitive squad but both players would be big blows if ruled out.

The photo in question: 

Predicted squad based on photo:

1. Tesi Niu
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Will Penisini
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Sione Katoa
6. Junior Amone
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Mo Fotuiaka
9. Siliva Havili
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Haumole Olakau'atu
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Soni Luke
15. Tevita Tatola
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. David Fifita

18. Konrad Hurrell
19. Tolu Koula
20. Christian Tuipulotu
21. Moses Suli
22. Ben Murdoch-Masila
23. Agnatius Paasi
24. Taniela Otukolo
 

Missing Lolohea will be huge. But i have a feeling Woolfe has something up his sleeve. Soni Luke is a future star so I won't be surprised if he starts 9

[Mojo]

No edwards Hynes and cook for kangaroos

[UTK]

 

[Mojo]

2 minutes ago, UTK said:

 

Probably the weakest kangaroos squad I've ever seen after the samoan players left. But still good enough to win the comp. Aussies always said "we can win the comp with a 3rd string team now we get to find out lol

[UTK]

1 minute ago, Mojo said:

Probably the weakest kangaroos squad I've ever seen after the samoan players left. But still good enough to win the comp. Aussies always said "we can win the comp with a 3rd string team now we get to find out lol

It's on the weaker squad especially outside the top 17 but I think the first choice is a bit stronger than 2017, a couple of injuries to key players would certainly test the squad depth.

[UTK]

Crisis averted, that photo was not indicative of the Tongan squad:

[Mojo]

10 minutes ago, UTK said:

 

1 James Tedesco

2 Murray Taulagi

3 Valentine Holmes

4 Latrell Mitchell

5 Josh Addo-Carr

6 Cameron Munster

7 Nathan Cleary

8 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

9 Harry Grant

10 Patrick Carrigan

11 Cameron Murray

12 Jeremiah Nanai

13 Isaah Yeo

 

14 Ben Hunt

15 Angus Crichton

16 Reuben Cotter

17 Jake Trbojevic

Solid team but very beatable

Edited October 3, 2022 by Mojo

[UTK]

2 minutes ago, Mojo said:

1 James Tedesco

2 Jeremiah Nanai

3 Valentine Holmes

4 Matt Burton

5 Josh Addo-Carr

6 Cameron Munster

7 Nathan Cleary

8 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

9 Harry Grant

10 Patrick Carrigan

11 Cameron Murray

12 Jeremiah Nanai

13 Isaah Yeo

 

14 Ben Hunt

15 Angus Crichton

16 Reuben Cotter

17 Jake Trbojevic

Solid team but very beatable

Bold choice to play Nanai on the wing and in the second row!

Assuming you meant Latrell in the centres with Holmes on the wing, think RCG might get in ahead of Jurbo.

[Mojo]

2 minutes ago, UTK said:

Bold choice to play Nanai on the wing and in the second row!

Assuming you meant Latrell in the centres with Holmes on the wing, think RCG might get in ahead of Jurbo.

Sorry I edited it after having a second look

[UTK]

In the Australian release they named 3 players on standby as Hynes, Edwards and Cook - I wonder if these players will follow the squad across or whether it's simply waiting on the fitness of some. 

Based on the photo above it appears that Tonga have taken Taniela Otukolo, Christian Tuipulotu and Paasi as 3 players not in the 24-man squad so maybe they do get to bring 3 extras. Alternatively they may just be keeping Otukolo and Tuipulotu around the squad as players of the future.

[Tex Evans Thigh]

That NZ squad is very very strong, especially in the pack and spine. I can’t see that Australian pack living with that when they inevitably meet in the semis.

[Tex Evans Thigh]

Apologies if this has been mentioned previously, but is there a published list of international broadcasters? Can’t find one anywhere, including the rlwc website.

[Jim from Oz]

Still a bloody strong Kangaroos squad IMHO but beatable if other teams fire 100% on the day !

[Jim from Oz]

2 minutes ago, Tex Evans Thigh said:

Apologies if this has been mentioned previously, but is there a published list of international broadcasters? Can’t find one anywhere, including the rlwc website.

This is from Wikipedia:

 

Broadcasting[edit]

The Rugby League World Cup announced a partnership with the International Rugby League (IRL) in July 2020. The organisations will work together on match broadcast production and the sale of global broadcast rights.^[41]

In April 2019, it was reported that the digital strategy for the tournament will be led by Deloitte.^[42] In May 2019, the world cup organisers announced they were looking for an esport partner to engage new audiences with the sport.^[43]

Region	Broadcaster	Free-to-Air/ Subscription	Details
Australia	Foxtel (Fox League and Kayo Sports)	Subscription	All 61 matches across the three tournaments.[44]
Denmark  Estonia  Finland  Iceland  Latvia  Lithuania  Netherlands  Norway  Poland  Sweden	Viaplay	Subscription	TBA[45]
France	BeIN Sports	Subscription	All 61 matches across the three tournaments.[46]
	Sport en France	Free	All France men's, women's and wheelchair national team games and tournament finals.[47]
New Zealand	Spark Sport	Subscription	All 61 matches live across the 31 men's, 15 women's and 15 wheelchair.[48]
Papua New Guinea	EM TV	Free	All 61 matches live across the 31 men's, 15 women's and 15 wheelchair.[49]
United Kingdom	BBC	Free	All 31 matches live on BBC One or BBC Two as well as on BBC iPlayer, Venue launch programme[50] and highlights programme[51][52]
	OurLeague App	Subscription	All 31 matches live, exclusive post match interviews and OuRLeague highlights programme.
	RugbyAM (FreeSports)	Free	Highlights programme and post match interviews.
United States	FITE TV	Subscription	All 31 matches live on pay per view.[53]

 

[Jim from Oz]

2 minutes ago, Jim from Oz said:

This is from Wikipedia:

 

Broadcasting[edit]

The Rugby League World Cup announced a partnership with the International Rugby League (IRL) in July 2020. The organisations will work together on match broadcast production and the sale of global broadcast rights.^[41]

In April 2019, it was reported that the digital strategy for the tournament will be led by Deloitte.^[42] In May 2019, the world cup organisers announced they were looking for an esport partner to engage new audiences with the sport.^[43]

Region	Broadcaster	Free-to-Air/ Subscription	Details
Australia	Foxtel (Fox League and Kayo Sports)	Subscription	All 61 matches across the three tournaments.[44]
Denmark  Estonia  Finland  Iceland  Latvia  Lithuania  Netherlands  Norway  Poland  Sweden	Viaplay	Subscription	TBA[45]
France	BeIN Sports	Subscription	All 61 matches across the three tournaments.[46]
	Sport en France	Free	All France men's, women's and wheelchair national team games and tournament finals.[47]
New Zealand	Spark Sport	Subscription	All 61 matches live across the 31 men's, 15 women's and 15 wheelchair.[48]
Papua New Guinea	EM TV	Free	All 61 matches live across the 31 men's, 15 women's and 15 wheelchair.[49]
United Kingdom	BBC	Free	All 31 matches live on BBC One or BBC Two as well as on BBC iPlayer, Venue launch programme[50] and highlights programme[51][52]
	OurLeague App	Subscription	All 31 matches live, exclusive post match interviews and OuRLeague highlights programme.
	RugbyAM (FreeSports)	Free	Highlights programme and post match interviews.
United States	FITE TV	Subscription	All 31 matches live on pay per view.[53]

 

So a lot of the world (Asia, South America, Canada, Pacific Islands, much of Europe) seemingly without ANY coverage … ???

[UTK]

Feels like Christmas with all these announcements dropping today:

[Jim from Oz]

33 minutes ago, UTK said:

Feels like Christmas with all these announcements dropping today:

Am I right in that there are 1-2 big name players missing from that squad? Just wondering but I thought they had more NRL-eligible players …

[Jim from Oz]

5 minutes ago, Jim from Oz said:

Am I right in that there are 1-2 big name players missing from that squad? Just wondering but I thought they had more NRL-eligible players …

I was perhaps thinking of: Bailey Biondi-Odo

[UTK]

3 minutes ago, Jim from Oz said:

Am I right in that there are 1-2 big name players missing from that squad? Just wondering but I thought they had more NRL-eligible players …

Biggest omission is probably James Segeyaro, think there's an internal politics issue there as Wesser Tenza certainly isn't in the same class.

Don't think there's really any more NRL players that are eligible but missing, Biondi-Odo from the Bulldogs is out with an ACL, Jack De Belin decided he wouldn't feel right playing for them.