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RLWC2026 countdown

The Partisan

The Partisan

Guest
Messages
1,951
Exchanged messages with the IRL media guy Brad Walters.

The Cook Islands v South Africa WC qualifier is looking to be played as part of a triple header with the Pacific Championships Men's and Women's finals. I'm of the belief this is the NZ, Samoa, Tonga series in the men's.

Draws for these end of season Pacific comps coming out July 23rd.

Personally I would rather see South Africa make it through. The Cook Islands probably has more experienced and talented heritage players... but the country itself really can't contribute to the future of the code long term.

On a side issue, will Lebanon play any games between now and the 2026 World Cup against any World Cup qualified teams? Have they played any since the last world cup?

At minimum.. if a suitable competitive country can't be sourced ...they should play an invitational team of some sort with players coming from the NRL or respective state comps of Queensland and New South Wales.

If France qualify hopefully they can get a mid year test with England organised... or as per above as a minimum..a northern hemisphere invitational team.
 
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titoelcolombiano

titoelcolombiano

First Grade
Messages
7,366
Lebanon baffles me. We are crying out for competitive international teams and the NRL and NSW / QLD Cup has heaps of quality Lebanese players. Sure, they're Aussie-Lebanese, but what's the difference between that and Tonga & Samoa. Why are we ignoring them. They also bring heaps of fans too just like Samoa and Tonga.

In fact, the game is actually played in Lebanon.
 
E

England87

Juniors
Messages
142
titoelcolombiano said:
Lebanon baffles me. We are crying out for competitive international teams and the NRL and NSW / QLD Cup has heaps of quality Lebanese players. Sure, they're Aussie-Lebanese, but what's the difference between that and Tonga & Samoa. Why are we ignoring them. They also bring heaps of fans too just like Samoa and Tonga.

In fact, the game is actually played in Lebanon.
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Not really though. A few university teams. Not much upside in investing in Lebanon rugby league IMO
 
W

wgd

Juniors
Messages
20
titoelcolombiano said:
Lebanon baffles me. We are crying out for competitive international teams and the NRL and NSW / QLD Cup has heaps of quality Lebanese players. Sure, they're Aussie-Lebanese, but what's the difference between that and Tonga & Samoa. Why are we ignoring them. They also bring heaps of fans too just like Samoa and Tonga.

In fact, the game is actually played in Lebanon.
Click to expand...

Lebanon and France should be in the Pacific Cup. Give PNG and Fiji 2 home games every year.
 
T

taste2taste

Bench
Messages
2,789
titoelcolombiano said:
Lebanon baffles me. We are crying out for competitive international teams and the NRL and NSW / QLD Cup has heaps of quality Lebanese players. Sure, they're Aussie-Lebanese, but what's the difference between that and Tonga & Samoa. Why are we ignoring them. They also bring heaps of fans too just like Samoa and Tonga.

In fact, the game is actually played in Lebanon.
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I’m not interested in seeing a bunch of 5th generation Aussies playing for Lebanon.

This is what gives Int league zero credibility. People cry because the teams have been reduced but who was excited to see teddy and brown play for Italy ?
 
T

taste2taste

Bench
Messages
2,789
titoelcolombiano said:
So scratch Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands too then?
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The majority of Tonga and Samoa players are 1st gen Aussies/kiwis or have 100% Tongan /samoan bloodline. for example both To’o and Luai parents were born in Samoa. Tinos dad was born and bred in Samoa and only moved here when the roosters signed him. Crichton and RTS were born there.

unlike Moses who is 20% Lebanese from his great grandparents. Tedesco and Nathan brown playing for Italy ? Freaking embarrassing.
 
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titoelcolombiano

titoelcolombiano

First Grade
Messages
7,366
taste2taste said:
The majority of Tonga and Samoa players are 1st gen Aussies/kiwis or have 100% Tongan /samoan bloodline. for example both To’o and Luai parents were born in Samoa. Tinos dad was born and bred in Samoa and only moved here when the roosters signed him. Crichton and RTS were born there.

unlike Moses who is 20% Lebanese from his great grandparents. Tedesco and Nathan brown playing for Italy ? Freaking embarrassing.
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I think Samoa and Tonga are fantastic for the international game and I am fully supportive of them and glad we have them.

The vast majority of those Lebanese boys are 100% Lebanese blood, they are good quality players (made the quarters the last two world cups) and bring a large colourful fan base with them. I don't see the reason for supporting Tonga and Samoa, but not Lebanon.

I'm advocating for all three, I'm not arguing against Tonga and Samoa.
 
Perth Red

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
73,288
Ideally we‘d have tiers of comps but there’s no money in a Lebanon v france v cook is championship so it won’t happen.
 
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