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2022 Rabbitohs International Tests

callmack1

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Darren Lockyer sets record straight on Kangaroos selector reports: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/rugby-...comments/ab0eadeb-a18f-4eb7-8f91-5873d0992d08

From Zero Tackle,

Rugby League World Cup TV rights reportedly confirmed

The 2022 Rugby League World Cup will reportedly be broadcast by Foxtel in Australia.

It has been unclear who may broadcast the tournament to Australia, with an unfavourable timezone not making it an attractive proposition to networks who would traditionally broadcast the sport in Australia.

According to Sport Business however, the rights to the tournament have been secured by Foxtel who will broadcast all matches through Fox Sports and their 24/7 rugby league channel, Fox League.

It means the entire tournament will be going behind a paywall for Australian audiences for the first time since 2000.

The 2017 edition, which was hosted in Australia and New Zealand, was broadcast by Channel 7, while the 2013 edition was also on the free to air network, albeit on their back up channel 7Mate with games held in the English time zone, making it unfavourable for Australian broadcasters.

The 2008 edition saw some patches on free to air through Channel 9 and the remainder on Fox Sports, while there was an eight-year gap to the tournament prior to that, with the 2000 edition broadcast by Fox Sports out of England in its entirety.

It's believed the broadcast deal with the Pay TV network for the 2022 tournament - which was originally supposed to be held in 2021 before being postponed due to coronavirus and travel restrictions around it - will see all men's and women's games broadcast by the network.

The tournament kicks off on October 15 in England, with Australia looking to defend their crown from 2017. The final will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester on November 19.
 

callmack1

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From Zero Tackle, this is a bit of a bummer, but rules are rules I guess. I think it's a fair rule too,

The rule which will prevent Alex Johnston playing for Australia

While the public voice has never been stronger in his favour, South Sydney winger Alex Johnston is set to be denied a World Cup berth with the Kangaroos due to International Rugby League's eligibility rules.

Johnston made his debut for Australia in the 2015 ANZAC Test against New Zealand, though the prolific try-scorer has never handed a green and gold jersey since that day.

The Rabbitohs junior is finally being recognised for his stunning try-scoring record by the public, notching 58 tries since Round 1, 2021, and moving well in reach of Ken Irvine's 212 career tries, despite being just 27 years-old.

The public aren't the only ones in Johnston's corner for a Kangaroo call up, South Sydney team mate believes the 'best finisher ever' should join him in England for the tournament.

"I'd put him in the Australian side, to be honest. He deserves it," Mitchell told AAP a fortnight ago.

While the drums have been beating louder and louder for Johnston to earn a place in Mal Meninga's World Cup squad, the IRL's eligibility rules are set to deny the speedster from donning the green and gold this year.

Johnston has become a mainstay in the Papua New Guinea Kumuls side, lining up at fullback for their midseason test victory over Fiji, playing all three of his career PNG games in the custodian role.

However, when the IRL updated a host of their eligibility rules at the beginning of 2020, they ruled that 'a player can only elect one nation to represent in any calendar year'.

Rule viii explicitly states the following:

"A player who has elected to represent a Nation cannot then elect to represent another Nation in the same calendar year."

While players can change freely between Tier 1 and Tier 2 nations having not played already that year, rule x continues to elaborate that the ability to switch is only in accordance with the previous rule as follows:

"Pursuant to Rule (viii), a player is entitled to move between a Tier One and a Tier Two or Tier Three Nation freely save that a Player may not change their National Team during any IRL Global Event (including any qualification matches played as part of that IRL Global Event, including Continental Qualification Matches) in which that Player is participating and may only represent one Nation during each IRL Global Event."

While the rules mean Johnston could switch back to the Kangaroos in 2023 due to PNG not being a Tier 1 nation, his mid-year appearance for the Kumuls leaves the flyer ineligible to run out for Australia at this year's World Cup.

It's expected Johnston will still participate in this year's Rugby League World Cup, however he'll be donning the PNG jersey instead of Australia.

He won't be the only South Sydney star playing for a lower-tier nation, with Lachlan Ilias and Peter Mamouzelos set to be selected for Greece, Tevita Tatola and Keaon Koloamatangi for Tonga, Davvy Moale for the Cook Islands while Campbell Graham is set to run out for Scotland during the six week tournament.
 

callmack1

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Congrats to all our players selected for the RLWC so far!

Kodi Nikorima named in extended Kiwis squad: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2022/09/15/kodi-nikorima-named-in-extended-kiwis-squad/

Jeez my Kiwis are looking good!! I think we can win it this year!

Congratulations to Taane Milne for his selection in the extended Fiji squad: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2...for-his-selection-in-the-extended-fiji-squad/

From Zero Tackle,

Greece World Cup Squad

Greece have become the first nation to name their squad for the Rugby League World Cup, with four players holding NRL experience included in the team.

The nation, who will make their debut at the tournament after qualifying in the European section alongside Scotland in Pool B, have been able to draw on the experience of South Sydney Rabbitohs half Lachlan Ilias, hooker Peter Mamouzelos, debutant Canterbury Bulldogs prop Billy Tsikrikas and former Cronulla Sharks forward Billy Magoulias.

Magoulias, who spent time in the Super League, is now back in Australia and turned out for the club's feeder team the Newtown Jets towards the end of the 2022 regular season.

Ilias is tipped to be joined in the halves by the captain, Jordan Meads, who has played eight games for Greece since making his international debut in 2014.

He currently plays rugby union for the Sunshine Coast Barbarians, but has previously played in the Queensland Cup, and as high as Tier 2 of the English system.

The squad, who will be coached by Steve Georgallis, also features a handful of players out of the NSW Cup, with Chaise Robinson and Nick Mougios of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, as well as Jake Kambos, John Mitsas and Mitchell Zampetides picked from the Western Suburbs Magpies.

Greece are in Group A for the tournament and will take on France in their opening group game, before playing Samoa and England in their second and third group games.

Jordan Meads (c)
Stefanos Bastas
Nikolaos Bosmos
Terry Constantinou
Aris Dardamanis
Nick Flocas
Myles Gal
Jake Kambos
Kosta Katsidonis
Greg Koutsimporgiorgos
Lachlan Ilias
Billy Magoulias
Peter Mamouzelos
John Mitsias
Nick Mougios
Ioannis Nake
Theodoros Nianiakas
Chaise Robinson
Ioannis Rousoglou
Sebastian Sell
Liam Sui Tin
Robert Tuliatu
Billy Tsikrikas
Adam Vrahnos
Mitchell Zampetides
 

callmack1

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Six Grand Finalists named as Kiwis finalise World Cup squad: https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/10/03/six-grand-finalists-named-as-kiwis-finalise-world-cup-squad/

Yewwwww that's a pretty stacked squad for my Kiwis! Super excited about what we can produce at this World Cup and I really think we're a great chance of winning it.

Graham, Murray and Mitchell earn Kangaroos call up: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2022/10/03/graham-murray-and-mitchell-earn-kangaroos-call-up/

Congrats to all our boys who got picked for Aus, particularly Stretch! The other two were expected but I'm just so happy to see him in there for a potential debut. He bloody deserves it and it's great to see him finally get the credit he deserves.

Also cool to see Cam named vice captain. That's huge too, what an honor for him. Speaks volumes about his leadership.
 

callmack1

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Penrith's best snubbed as Cleary dealt truth bomb, Bunnies gun's claim ignored - Winners and Losers: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/wo...m/news-story/136e6c9f5bc83dd06fc56b4ee42d4b13

Johnston selected for PNG Kumuls World Cup squad: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2022/10/03/johnston-selected-for-png-kumuls-world-cup-squad/

Huge congrats AJ!! This will be his first World Cup I believe?

Koloamatangi, Tatola and Havili selected for Tonga World Cup Squad: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2...nd-havili-selected-for-tonga-world-cup-squad/

Also, congrats to our three lads who will proudly represent Tonga!
 

callmack1

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From Zero Tackle,

Multiple stars could be forced out of World Cup by admin issue

A new challenge has emerged as players prepare for the Rugby League World Cup, with the news that some off-contract players may be unable to secure insurance from their respective nations and be forced to withdraw.

While the Daily Telegraph reports that the Australian Rugby League Commission has agreed to cover all players, including those who are off-contract, representing the Kangaroos, they won't be covering rival nations.

This means that players currently without a club for 2023 – like Marty Taupau – risk playing without insurance if a deal cannot be struck, which means that they could face a significant financial cost themselves should they suffer an injury in the tournament.

Taupau is one of a number of off-contract players currently selected for the cup, including Andrew Fifita (Tonga), Cooper Johns (Italy), Josh Mansour (Lebanon) and Chanel Harris-Tavita (Samoa).

The Telegraph reports the ARLC have come out with the announcement as they prepare for the likelihood that some players could ask for insurance despite not having played at the top level for several seasons.

This is another administrative headache leading into the tournament, after it was revealed a few weeks ago that the NRL and RLPA had become stuck in negotiations regarding a new pay deal, with the current arrangement set to expire midway through the tournament.

Once again it remains unclear how such a seemingly significant issue has only been brought to light at the 11th hour.

“If I had to go to England uninsured and off-contract I'd be concerned,” an anonymous player manager told the Telegraph.

“I hope all nations cover their players because no-one should have to face the prospect of injury without cover.

“I think players have asked their playing nations and are waiting for a reply.

“If a tier-two nation said they couldn't insure an off-contract player then that player would have to question whether it's worth playing in the World Cup.”
 
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