Seven players to light up the Rugby League World Cup
THIS group might not be household names but they have the talent to light up the RLWC. Check out the seven players that will have you talking.
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THESE rugby league players might not be household names but they have the talent to light up the Rugby League World Cup.
Here are the seven players that will have you talking:
1) ASE BOAS (PNG)
The Kumuls vice-captain is coming off a brilliant season where he captured the Queensland Cup player of the year award and man of the match in the PNG Hunters’ grand final victory over the Sunshine Coast. A clever five-eighth with a super kicking game, Boas will be the attacking linchpin for the Kumuls and shapes as one of their most important players.
RLWC: Week one teams here
2) GARRY LO (PNG)
A barnstorming winger, Lo is coming off a superb stint with the Sheffield Eagles in the Kingstone Press Championship and has signed a deal with Super League club Castleford. The former Hunter picked up 50 tries in 46 matches over two illustrious seasons, and before that scored 24 tries in 21 games for the Hunters in 2014-15. With the Kumuls putting together one of the best squads in their history there should be plenty of chances for Lo to cross the stripe.
3) LUKE GALE (England)
Super League fans will know plenty about halfback Luke Gale given his superb form for Castleford over the last three seasons but the World Cup will mark just his second match on Australian soil after May’s mid-season Test against Samoa. A clever runner of the ball with great hands and top class kicking game, Gale could be the answer to the halves woes that have plagued England since Sean Long’s Test retirement in 2006. His partnership with NRL stars Gareth Widdop and Josh Hodgson will prove crucial as England look to upset Australia in their opening match.
4) JUNIOR VAIVAI (USA)
The former Rabbitoh and Panther has been plying his trade in the Illawarra competition and has the speed and power to trouble any opposition when he runs out for the USA Hawks. A veteran of the qualifying campaign, Vaivai is the USA’s most damaging attacking player and will be key to their hopes of pulling off another fairytale run. He’s also The Rock’s cousin, which is just fantastic.
LISTEN: Fiona Bollen, David Riccio, Fatima Kdouh and Nick Campton talk Tonga defections, why Aussies want the Aussies to lose and backing a minnow team. Plus they preview the first round of matches and deliver their bold predictions.
5) REGAN GRACE (Wales)
Welsh flyer Grace made his Super League debut for St Helens earlier this season and was an immediate standout with his speed and ability to beat defenders. The Dragons have been crying out for a star over the last few seasons and they may have found one in Grace — even though he’s only 20. Grace crossed for nine tries for the Saints this season and shapes as the Welshmen’s most dangerous attacking player.
6) ANTHONY LAYOUN (Lebanon)
A fullback for Parramatta’s under-20s, Layoun is yet to make his NRL debut but a strong showing for Lebanon could help springboard his budding career to the next level. The former Australian Schoolboy is the least experienced in the Cedars’ respectable spine (made up of NRL regulars Mitchell Moses, Robbie Farah and Michael Lichaa) but don’t be surprised to see him chance his playmaking arm. In 2017, he scored 14 tries, had 15 try assists to him name and 16 line break assists.
7) ALEX WALMSLEY (England)
There will be plenty of eyes on Alex Walmsley, and not only because the huge prop forward stands at 192cm and 115kg. It’s believed up to six NRL clubs are keeping tabs on Walmsley, including the Dragons, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Knights, Cowboys and Rabbitohs. The 27-year old still has one year to run on his Super League contract with St Helens but consider this World Cup campaign to be his NRL audition. Walmsley is a powerful runner of the ball and plays with the kind of intensity that has drawn comparisons to England teammate James Graham.
