Rugby League World Cup 2022: Leading players consider withdrawing over insurance drama
Leading NRL players may consider withdrawing from the Rugby League World Cup in a decision that would cause chaos for the upcoming tournament.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Leading NRL players may consider withdrawing from the Rugby League World Cup if they cannot secure insurance from their participating nation.
The Australian Rugby League Commission has agreed to cover all off-contract players representing the Kangaroos – but not players representing rival nations.
That could leave players, including Marty Taupau and Andrew Fifita, who are without a club for 2023, to play the World Cup in England uninsured.
News Corp has been told players must seek insurance from the governing bodies they are representing.
Player managers have stated any player uninsured would risk a hefty financial black hole by playing and being injured.
Some players have sought insurance but are awaiting a reply.
If the insurance issue cannot be resolved then some players may opt to withdraw from the tournament rather than risk injury and jeopardise their chances of finding a new deal next season.
Some players off-contract heading to the World Cup are Taupau (Samoa), Fifita (Tonga), Angus Crichton (Australia), Cooper Johns (Italy), Josh Mansour (Lebanon), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Samoa) and Brandon Wakeham (Fiji).
That number could increase as nations finalise their playing squads.
Taupau was being chased by grand finalists Parramatta while Fifita has been linked to Wests Tigers but both players remain uncontracted for next season.
Crichton looks poised to re-sign with the Sydney Roosters but there is yet to be an official announcement.
The ARLC’s decision is based on the possibility some players may ask for insurance without having played in the NRL for several seasons.
One player manager said: “If I had a player going to England uninsured and off-contract I’d be concerned.
“I hope all nations cover their players because no-one should have to face the prospect of an injury without cover.
“I think players have asked their playing nations and are waiting for a reply.
“I guess you can’t ask the ARL to cover every player who doesn’t have a club for next season.
“If a tier two nation said they couldn’t insure an off-contract player then that player would have to question whether it’s worth playing the World Cup.
“Imagine if you did your knee?”
The World Cup kicks off on October 16.
WHY EDWARDS WAS SNUBBED FOR WORLD CUP
By Brent Read
Clive Churchill Medallist Dylan Edwards did everything he could but in the end, it wasn’t enough. Australia’s fullback stocks are bursting at the seams and when Mal Meninga sat down with his selectors on Monday to finalise his squad for the World Cup, there wasn’t room for one more.
Edwards was named as a standby for the upcoming tour, meaning he will watch the tournament from afar, do his best to stay match-fit and rely on a member of the Kangaroos dropping with injury during the tournament.
Edwards was the most surprising omission from the 24-man squad selected on Monday morning but he wasn’t the only notable name to miss out. Incumbent hooker Damien Cook was another prominent member of the standby squad.
So too Dally M medal winner Nicho Hynes. The other surprise was in the leadership group. James Tedesco was widely tipped to be named Kangaroos captain.
His vice-captains were Isaah Yeo and Cameron Murray. There was no place for Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, although Meninga insisted it wasn’t a pointer to Nathan Cleary being the preferred option for the halfback spot.
The squad featured 13 debutantes, including three members of the Penrith side that defended their title on Sunday night - Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo.
Edwards was on the fringes of the squad leading into the grand final but there was a school of thought that he could force his way in with a huge showing on Sunday night.
The Panthers fullback lived up to his end of the bargain as he ran for more than 220 metres and busted eight tackles in Penrith’s 28-12 win over Parramatta. However, it wasn’t enough to convince coach Meninga and selectors Laurie Daley and Darren Lockyer that he should head to England for the World Cup.
Edwards’ lack of versatility cost him in the end given the Roos have a handful of fullbacks in their squad, led by Sydney Roosters captain Tedesco.
Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Valentine Holmes and Jack Wighton are all capable of playing fullback.
“He has had an exceptional year,” Meninga said of Edwards.
“It is a difficult situation when you can only pick 24 players. Our best player was the fullback in James Tedesco. We had several conversations about this.
“Unfortunately in this instance Dylan misses out but we thought we would pick some standby players as well. Anything can happen.
“He is desperately unlucky.”
Perhaps the easiest decision was to hand the captaincy to Tedesco. The Roosters skipper has consistently been one of the best players in the competition. In recent years, he has also become one of its best leaders.
“He is our premier player,” Meninga said.
“I thought he was the outstanding candidate. It was a pretty easy one.”
Meninga called Tedesco last week to inform him of the decision.
“Huge honour,” Tedesco said.
“Mal called me and told me the other day, I told my friends and family and they were a bit emotional and pretty proud.
“Given the opportunity to captain and lead the whole country, I don’t think there is a higher honour in the game. I am really proud of myself.”
Meninga insisted the decision to overlook Cherry-Evans for the vice-captaincy was not a pointer to him losing the No.7 jersey to Cleary. He also insisted the halfback spot was wide open.
“Daly is the incumbent as well,” Meninga said.
“He was there three years ago and had a very good season, particularly Origin.
“We will consider all options. That is what the tour is all about. Everyone has the opportunity to prove that they deserve to be there at the back end of the tour.”
JILLAROOS NAME WORLD CUP SQUAD
Newcastle has been rewarded for its grand final victory with four players named in the Jillaroos World Cup squad.
Millie Boyle, Tamika Upton, Yasmin Clydsdale and Caitlan Johnston have booked their tickets to England.
The has a healthy mixed of experience and youth with coach Brad Donald confirming 13 debutants in the 24-person squad.
“We had to make some difficult decisions in selecting this team but we have faith every player selected will do our country proud,” Donald said.
“We have a strong squad with some greats of the game with plenty of experience as well as some exciting new faces who have been in impressive form this year.
“We can’t wait to travel to England as we look to retain the World Cup trophy.”
NRLW veterans Kezie Apps, Sammy Bremner and Ali Brigginshaw will co-captain the team.
More Coverage
Originally published as Rugby League World Cup 2022: Leading players consider withdrawing over insurance drama
Broncos star named to become dual international for Kiwis
The Kiwi Ferns have called up four debutants for the Pacific Championships including Brisbane star Gayle Broughton who is poised to join one of sport’s most exclusive clubs.
Dally M winner axed in ‘unbelievable’ call
Olivia Kernick has been dropped from the Jillaroos squad less than a week after winning the Dally M medal in a shock decision.