Rugby League World Cup 2022: James Tedesco debunks rankings myth, says Kangaroos are No.1

James Tedesco has fired a shot at the Kiwis ahead of their semi-final clash - making a mockery of the official world rankings to light the fuse for an epic clash.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: James Tedesco of Australia runs with the ball during the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between Australia and Lebanon at John Smith's Stadium on November 04, 2022 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

International rugby league’s nebulous rankings system say New Zealand are the best side in the world. Kangaroos captain James Tedesco says otherwise.

“I don’t think that really means much at this time,” Tedesco said.

“We see ourselves as the best so we are going out to play like that. We have that expectation that when we put that Australian jersey on, that we are going to win.

“I don’t think the rankings mean much to us.”

Australia have been on a semi-final collision course with the Kiwis since the World Cup began and they lived up to their end of the bargain as they dismissed Lebanon on Saturday morning (AEDT).

Exactly 24 hours later, New Zealand set up a promoter’s dream in the final four as they edged Fiji 24-18. They will meet in Leeds on Saturday morning (AEDT) and the result aside, there will be numerous sub-plots at play.

Catch us if you can. James Tedesco says the Kangaroos see themselves as the best team in the world even if the rankings don’t. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

Let’s start with the rankings, which meant the Kiwis entered the World Cup as the No.1 side in the world. It says a lot about a flawed system that it hasn’t been able to accurately adjust for the lack of international rugby league during Covid.

Few would dispute that Australia are the best in the business. The problem for the Kangaroos was that they came into the tournament having played one game in three years - a loss to Tonga in 2019.

Before that, they were nigh on unbeatable over a five-year period stretching back to the 2017 World Cup. The Kiwis, on the other hand, had suffered their share of losses.

Yet they towered over Australia in the world rankings. Kangaroos players insisted they hadn’t taken any notice but they are a proud bunch who enjoy being the most respected and feared rugby league team in the world.

Beyond the rankings, there will be personal battles galore on Saturday morning (AEDT). Latrell Mitchell renews rivalries with Joey Manu. The two best halfbacks in the game will go at it as Jahrome Hughes opposes Nathan Cleary.

Nathan Cleary’s battle with Jahrome Hughes will be a fascinating showdown. Picture: Getty

Lindsay Collins takes on the man who mentored him in the early stage of his career - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, should the Roosters veteran win a recall after missing the win over Fiji through suspension.

“He is obviously their leader - he is a leader for us at the Roosters,” Tedesco said of Waerea-Hargreaves.

“I know he is a proud Kiwi so whenever he puts that jersey on he is going to be coming for us Jared was sort of a mentor for Lindsay coming through as a young front rower.

“A lot of middles that come through he is a mentor for them and he tests them. I am sure it will be a big game for Lindsay to come up against someone he has looked up to and been under his wing.

“Lindsay has turned into one of the best front rowers in the game as well so I think he will love that challenge.”

Lindsay Collins can’t wait to line up against teammate and mentor Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Collins is relishing the challenge.

“It would be awesome (to play against him),” Collins said,

“I know what he brings. We’ve had our battles at training. When he’s on you feel a lot safer. You know everything is going to go right.

“That’s a front-rower thing, the battle, you play footy to test yourself. He has been the best front-rower in the last decade. To go up against him in an international game it’s very exciting.

“He’s competitive and wants the best out of everyone. I think when things aren’t being done right, he does something about it. He wants to be the best, he wants our club to be the best.”

Above all, the winner will nail down a final spot on the hallowed turf of Old Trafford in a fortnight.

“We want to win the World Cup, yeah,” Tedesco said.

“I think everyone does.”

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