NRL stars happy to turn out for Italy in rugby league World Cup for free

IN an era of greed and money, some of rugby league's biggest stars will play next year's World Cup in England for free.

Anthony and Mark Minichiello

IN an era of greed and money, some of rugby league's biggest stars will play next year's World Cup in England for free.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Italian players Anthony and Mark Minichiello, Aidan Guerra, Shaun Berrigan, Vic Mauro, Craig Gower, James Tedesco, Anthony Laffranchi, Cameron Ciraldo - and even Kade Snowden and Canberra's Terry Campese - have agreed to play "for love and their heritage".

"Money's not on our radar," Ciraldo said.

Tedesco added: "I'm not even thinking of putting my hand out for money. I just want the opportunity to play in the World Cup."

Cash-strapped Italy have scraped together some funds for support staff with the World Cup committee to pay air fares and accommodation.

Yet while Kangaroos players receive $10,000 a Test - probably increased to $20,000 next season - there won't be any match payments for the Azzurri.

"My family will just be proud to see me running around in an Italian jumper," Anthony Minichiello said. "My dad came here when he was 13.

"I'm getting toward the end of my career so I'd like to help out the Italian Rugby League.

"Playing in a World Cup will be exciting. I've never played in one before.

"The tournament will bring a lot of interest in Italy so I am happy to help out in some way."

Most of Italy's NRL players will also have to use up their off-season break to compete in the World Cup.

"At the World Cup qualifiers last year a lot of boys used their own money," Ciraldo said. "This will be the same but the World Cup will be something you can tell your grandkids about."