Rugby League World Cup 2022: Squads, team news and latest on Australian team
With the World Cup only weeks away, the NRL grand final has come at a perfect time for several Australian aspirants. Could it be the match which decides Mal Meninga’s back row?
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Liam Martin and Shaun Lane will line up against each other with more than a premiership ring on the line.
A host of players overlooked for Origin selection will be called into Australia’s 24-man World Cup squad to be announced in coming days.
The most contentious selection is expected to be a back-row spot, with Martin and Lane locked in a battle for a position after the latter rocketed into calculations with a string of standout performances in recent weeks.
It is understood Martin has a slight edge going into the grand final but a man-of-the-match showing from Lane could force him into the squad for the tournament, which starts in Newcastle, in England’s north-east, in a fortnight.
Penrith duo Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo only have to get through the game unscathed to be picked to make their Test debuts.
Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard – axed from the NSW Origin side after just one game – is expected to be picked. Josh Addo-Carr, who did not play Origin, and Jake Trbojevic, who missed out in game one, will be picked.
Yeo wants Campbell-Gillard to return to the squad after he last played for Australia at the 2017 World Cup.
“I want to see him have success, other than this Sunday,” Yeo said. “He would absolutely deserve it the way he has performed. He has played in that arena before as well.”
Damien Cook is likely to lose his hooking spot to Queensland duo Harry Grant and Ben Hunt. Dylan Edwards and Clint Gutherson are considered outside chances of making the squad but that could change after Sunday.
Campbell Graham, Pat Carrigan, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Collins, Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi and Matt Burton are other likely first-timers.
LIKELY SQUAD: Josh Addo-Carr, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Pat Carrigan, Daly Cherry- Evans, Nathan Cleary, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Campbell Graham, Harry Grant, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi, James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Jack Wighton, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin/Shaun Lane, Matt Burton/Nicho Hynes
POTENTIAL ADDITIONS: Damien Cook, Dylan Edwards, Jordan McLean, Hudson Young, Clint Gutherson
FLIGHT CHAOS STRIKES TONGAN TEAM
Tonga’s World Cup preparations have started poorly after their flight to England was cancelled on Friday afternoon.
Tongan staff and players — not involved in Sunday’s NRL grand final — were due to fly out ahead of their warm-up match on October 8. However, officials were scrambling to find a new flight to ensure they are ready in time to play a pre-tournament fixture against France.
New Zealand’s squad also left on Friday.
Jeremy Marshall-King is set to join his sibling Benji Marshall by becoming a Kiwi Test player. Marshall-King has been rewarded for his most consistent season in first grade after being picked in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
Marshall-King and Canberra centre Seb Kris are among the would-be debutants. Veteran Shaun Johnson has been overlooked for the squad with Dylan Brown, Jahrome Hughes and Kieran Foran the preferred halves.
Panthers interchange forward Scott Sorensen will be picked provided he comes through unscathed on Sunday.
The likes of Brown, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’I will be part of New Zealand’s World Cup plans.
Expected Kiwi World Cup squad: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny/Jesse Bromwich, Dylan Brown, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’I, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jeremy Marshall-King, Jahrome Hughes, Kieran Foran, Scott Sorensen, Peta Hiku, Seb Kris, Joe Tapine, Joey Manu, Jordan Rapana, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Brandon Smith, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Isaac Liu, Briton Nikora.
NANAI NAMED AS FELLOW ROOS BOLTER EMERGES
North Queensland forward Jordan McLean is one of four Cowboys drafted into the Kangaroos train-on squad for the World Cup.
McLean was joined in the preliminary squad by Maroons trio Valentine Holmes, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai.
Nanai’s selection indicates that the young Cowboys back rower – tipped to win the Dally M rookie of the year on Wednesday night – has opted to pledge his allegiance to Australia over Samoa.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and his selectors will sit down after the grand final to finalise their squad and McLean is well and truly in the mix given the number of big men who have opted to play for Pacific nations.
The 30-year-old was close to making his State of Origin debut for NSW earlier this year only to be rubbed out of the game after suffering an injury in camp.
He played the last of his eight Tests for Australia in 2018.
FRIZELL JOINS RUSH TO REPRESENT TONGA AT WORLD CUP
– Michael Carayannis
Australian World Cup winner Tyson Frizell is the latest big name to put his hand up to represent Tonga while barnstorming back-rower David Fifita has also pledged his allegiance to the emerging nation.
Fifita was in consideration to make his Kangaroos debut but has opted to play for Tonga as he prepares to have his first taste of international rugby league. He was in Australia’s train-on squad but has indicated he wants to join a star-studded Tongan side.
Frizell was not in Australian calculations but has indicated to Tongan officials that he is keen to be part of their 24-man squad. He played the last of his 14 Tests in 2019 and was part of Australian’s World Cup-winning side in 2017.
Frizell was part of the Blues’ extended squad this year and picked up Newcastle’s player of the year award. Despite this – and showing the depths nations such as Tonga now have – Frizell is struggling to make the cut in the 24-man squad.
The Tongan squad is littered with backrow talent. Fifita will be picked as will Felise Kaufusi Keaon Koloamatangi and Haumole Olaka’uatu Olakau’atu.
If Frizell is picked, he will play for his third nation and three consecutive World Cups having featured for Wales in the 2013 tournament.
Tonga will be boosted by Origin players including Kaufusi, Daniel Tupou and Siosifa Talakai,
Kotoni Staggs has been ruled out through injury. Tonga were hit with a blow with enforcer Jason Taumalolo facing a three game ban which will delay the start to his tournament next month.
Addin Fonua Blake, Joe Ofahengaue Tevita Pangai Jr, Taniela Paseka, Tevita Tatola and Siosiua Taukeiaho showcase Tongan’s impressive forward depth.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos will add players from the teams who were knocked out to their train-on squad this week. The Kangaroos were still sweating on a call from North Queensland duo Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai who are yet to decide if they will choose Australia or Samoa. Teammates Valentine Holmes and Reuben Cotter are expected to be in the squad.
Nanai keen to don Kangaroos colours
-Peter Badel
Cowboys sensation Jeremiah Nanai has officially pledged his allegiance to Australia and has moved a step closer to a Test debut after being chosen in the Kangaroos’ preliminary World Cup squad.
News Corp can reveal Queensland Origin quartet Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi and Pat Carrigan are in the mix for green-and-gold debuts after their inclusion in Australia’s 30-man provisional squad.
Australia coach Mal Meninga pencilled in his extended squad on Saturday in the lead up to the Prime Minister’s XIII clash with Papua New Guinea on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.
Six players will be culled for Australia’s final 24-man squad, which will be formally submitted to World Cup bosses on Monday week in the wake of the NRL grand final.
There was speculation North Queensland young gun Nanai was considering following the lead of Queensland teammate Josh Papalii by turning his back on Australia and option to represent Samoa at the World Cup.
But Nanai has advised Kangaroos hierarchy his preference is to wear the green-and-gold jumper, triggering his inclusion in Australia’s initial 30-man squad.
Should the 19-year-old fail to make the final cut, Nanai will be eligible to instead turn out for Samoa at next month’s World Cup.
While the Cowboys suffered a heartbreaking 24-20 preliminary final loss to Parramatta on Friday night, their excellent season has been rewarded with Nanai, Cotter, Taulagi and Valentine Holmes all in Kangaroos contention.
Meanwhile, Carrigan has also been recognised by Test selectors after a superb 2022 season, headlined by the Broncos ironman winning the Wally Lewis Medal as Origin’s player of the series in his maiden Maroons campaign.
Meninga confirmed Carrigan is being seriously considered for a World Cup baptism after his lionhearted performances for Queensland which rubber-stamped his representative bona fides.
“Patrick is certainly in the picture, there is no doubt about that,” Meninga said.
“He has had a terrific year this year, he has been a very good player for the Broncos for a few years now.
“Pat is right up there in considerations for sure.”
Nanai was a revelation for the Cowboys this season, scoring 17 tries from 23 games, while colleague Cotter was an 80-minute machine, averaging 124 metres and 39 tackles per game in his rise to the Queensland Origin arena.
Taulagi is being considered for a World Cup wing spot alongside Josh Addo-Carr, while Holmes provides a selection safety net for Meninga with his ability to play on the flank, fullback or centre.
Boom Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo, who will play for the Australian PM’s XIII on Sunday, is unlikely to make the final 24-man squad after admitting his struggles with burnout this season.
“We have been told we have to pick a preliminary squad,” Meninga said.
“We have to pick shadow players, it is hard, we will wait for the grand final to be completed and see how the players who play in that game, what their health is like.
“Versatility is really key on long tours – that will certainly help a player’s selection.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Rugby League World Cup 2022: Squads, team news and latest on Australian team
‘Bring back Mary’: Panthers reveal Cleary retention plan
Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has signalled the club’s intention to re-sign Nathan and Ivan Cleary beyond 2027 - while possibly luring Mary Fowler back to Australia as well.
‘Embarrassing’: Tiger’s bitter Benji swipe
A Wests Tigers outcast has given the club and coach Benji Marshall a brutal drive by after he was “hurt personally”.