They just got bested by a heritage team in Jamaican uniforms. In saying that, people dont seem to have a problem with the Tongan team, they are the flavour of International rugby league.The answer is the first, but it is probably going to be the second that will win through thanks to heritage Aussie / NZ players. This seems wrong and also seems like a poor outcome for the game.
3 tests in 5 years....piss-poor.Since the 2013 World Cup, the Cook Islands have played three Test matches.
For a potential host nation to not qualify for the previous world cup isnt a good look. I just hope it doesnt halt their progress.If the 2025 WC is held in the USA the Yanks will quality automatically. I doubt their participation in the 2021 would raise the profile of the sport very much at all.
What will go against the Cooks is not having a full strength team and only playing 3 tests in 5 years.They did in 2013 and Cook Islands will likely have a weaker team than then. They aren't going to have Marsters or Rapana or Napa. At most they might have Glenn and Tetevano.
They had some more ambitious fellows in charge back when they applied for the 2017 WC.The country that wanted to host the RLWC now can't be bothered to qualify for it?
Looks like South Africa have decided to not waste their time or money sending a side to the states to play a mini tournament the feel they have no chance of winning.
If they aren't willing to play the weakest sides then they might as well give up trying to get to the World Cup. Who else would they play?
Not sure how official their Facebook page is but yesterday it put up:
Congratulations to Jamaica Rugby League Association for qualifying for the 2021 Rugby league World Cup over the weekend.
Who will South Africa be playing and how are we tracking to qualify?
When does Norway play Greece?
They just got bested by a heritage team in Jamaican uniforms. In saying that, people dont seem to have a problem with the Tongan team, they are the flavour of International rugby league.
Just had a look, not sure if it’s been edited but there’s no mention of who will South Africa be playing.
Sometime next year at a neutral venue in England.
It's been edited, go to edit history.
Not looking good for them taking part then.
A good look to who? How many will even know or care that the USA failed to qualify for the 2021 WC if they actually do host in 2025?For a potential host nation to not qualify for the previous world cup isnt a good look. I just hope it doesnt halt their progress.