Australia won't win 2022 WC

[The Partisan]

If one of the Pacific Islands did win this RLWC.... What impact would it have on the code or the perception of the code from casual observers or the ARL ?

 

[Clarkent]

The issue still is halves for the island teams. Not sure they handle the damp English grounds

Out of all the island teams Samoa has the best halves by far. But in saying that they have to perform on the field too. Samoan teams too inconsistent. But I'm also confident because this will be samoa's strongest team we've ever had if we get the right players. Mason Lino is also another underrated playmaker we've got playing in the SL. From what I've heard he's been playing well for Wakefield. Tyrone May is also another playmaker playing well in the SL.

 

[Clarkent]

Staines can’t get a regular FG spot, Taulagi easily if he’s available.

Staines is underrated and needs to start over in a new nrl team. The panthers are too stacked in the backs. But no way he makes it over Taulagi, Tylan May and Nofoaluma. I heard the Tigers are after him for a starting role at fullback. I hope he takes it cause he's wasted in the reserves grade. I mean look at Burton, he played mostly reserve grade cause he was stuck behind Luai

 

[Iamback]

Out of all the island teams Samoa has the best halves by far. But in saying that they have to perform on the field too. Samoan teams too inconsistent. But I'm also confident because this will be samoa's strongest team we've ever had if we get the right players. Mason Lino is also another underrated playmaker we've got playing in the SL. From what I've heard he's been playing well for Wakefield. Tyrone May is also another playmaker playing well in the SL.

This is where the stupid can change countries rule hurts, Imagine those Samoan halves after a few years of playing together? That is where Australia and to a lesser extent NZ have the advantage

Though on your top 17. Crichton is probably fullback but that 17 looks spot on, They are the guys I heard were going across to play

 

[Clarkent]

This is where the stupid can change countries rule hurts, Imagine those Samoan halves after a few years of playing together? That is where Australia and to a lesser extent NZ have the advantage

Though on your top 17. Crichton is probably fullback but that 17 looks spot on, They are the guys I heard were going across to play

Man I don't know if it's just me but when I watched Crichton play fullback he looked kinda out of place and wasn't as confident. And plus I wouldn't want to break up his combination with Brian To'o. Joseph Suaali'i for me has to be the fullback. If he plays well in the world cup at fullback every nrl club will be offering him big money. He has a clause in his contract with the roosters that he can leave anytime to sign up for another club of his choosing. And I don't see him playing over Tedesco

 

[Iamback]

Man I don't know if it's just me but when I watched Crichton play fullback he looked kinda out of place and wasn't as confident. And plus I wouldn't want to break up his combination with Brian To'o. Joseph Suaali'i for me has to be the fullback. If he plays well in the world cup at fullback every nrl club will be offering him big money. He has a clause in his contract with the roosters that he can leave anytime to sign up for another club of his choosing. And I don't see him playing over Tedesco

Suaali'i might be worse not ever playing in that position. It is hard being so far out but I'd think this is Australia's backline

Tedesco
Addo-Carr
Latrell
Tom Turbo
Holmes
Munster
DCE/Cleary

Hunt in the 14.

Generally Samoa stacks up well against that. Just the positioning that the fullback needs the only question mark

 

[Clarkent]

Suaali'i might be worse not ever playing in that position. It is hard being so far out but I'd think this is Australia's backline

Tedesco
Addo-Carr
Latrell
Tom Turbo
Holmes
Munster
DCE/Cleary

Hunt in the 14.

Generally Samoa stacks up well against that. Just the positioning that the fullback needs the only question mark

That is one stacked backline lol Good thing on Samoa side is that they already have the Panthers connection in that backline with Luai. And also the Panthers Assistant/soon to be Warriors head coach in the samoan coaching team helping out. The kangaroos should be the favourites. But don't underestimate the Kiwis. That Kiwis team is dangerous

 

[Iamback]

That is one stacked backline lol Good thing on Samoa side is that they already have the Panthers connection in that backline with Luai. And also the Panthers Assistant/soon to be Warriors head coach in the samoan coaching team helping out. The kangaroos should be the favourites. But don't underestimate the Kiwis. That Kiwis team is dangerous

That is the good thing it seems open, For me it is too soon to say a favourite because we don't know the injury status.

Say Hughes goes down. Who is the next Kiwi 7? So for that reason I won't say who is favourite yet just that it looks much more open

 

[Matua]

That is the good thing it seems open, For me it is too soon to say a favourite because we don't know the injury status.

Say Hughes goes down. Who is the next Kiwi 7? So for that reason I won't say who is favourite yet just that it looks much more open

I'd assume Foran would switch to half by squad selection, failing that we could see a Shaun Johnson return ... his form is crap but he might be able to do an Olsen Filipaina and turn it on for the Kiwis.

Most other teams are in the same boat though if one of their halves goes down so as you say we wont really know until we see the squads at the WC.

 

[Clarkent]

I'd assume Foran would switch to half by squad selection, failing that we could see a Shaun Johnson return ... his form is crap but he might be able to do an Olsen Filipaina and turn it on for the Kiwis.

Most other teams are in the same boat though if one of their halves goes down so as you say we wont really know until we see the squads at the WC.

Olsen Filipaina actually runs the ball to the defensive line Foran has to be in there or move Manu to the halves. Anyone but Sj please

 

[Gallen Towers]

The days of Australia winning WC games 110-4 are over.

 

[Smug Panther]

The days of Australia winning WC games 110-4 are over.

I dunno....England did somehow qualify

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Samoa is definitely going to be better than Tonga IMHO. They have a good team on paper, but their problem is they're an extremely unprofessional outfit. Each player will probably gain 5-6kg from hitting up the buffet, or the English fish n chip shops and bakeries. It happened in 2017 and probably will happen again.

 

[Smug Panther]

Samoa is definitely going to be better than Tonga IMHO. They have a good team on paper, but their problem is they're an extremely unprofessional outfit. Each player will probably gain 5-6kg from hitting up the buffet, or the English fish n chip shops and bakeries. It happened in 2017 and probably will happen again.

Penrith are the fittest side in the comp and will make up half the side. Hopefully they can have a positive influence

 

[Clarkent]

Samoa is definitely going to be better than Tonga IMHO. They have a good team on paper, but their problem is they're an extremely unprofessional outfit. Each player will probably gain 5-6kg from hitting up the buffet, or the English fish n chip shops and bakeries. It happened in 2017 and probably will happen again.

That samoan team at the last world cup was terrible. Even when they named the squad before the world cup the team didn't look that great. Papali'i and Paulo both looked overweight. Papali'i admitted he was terrible in that world cup so hopefully he learnt his lesson and lead a young samoan team to the world cup.

 

[Clarkent]

Penrith are the fittest side in the comp and will make up half the side. Hopefully they can have a positive influence

I think every nrl team are fit. The Panthers are just dominant and have better chemistry than any team right now and it ain't even close

 

[taste2taste]

That samoan team at the last world cup was terrible. Even when they named the squad before the world cup the team didn't look that great. Papali'i and Paulo both looked overweight. Papali'i admitted he was terrible in that world cup so hopefully he learnt his lesson and lead a young samoan team to the world cup.

Yes, you have read the same interviews as me Papallii has said he was overweight and not at his best. He has also said he "owes Samoa his best" if he commits to Samoa I'd expext to see him ( and jnr ) at thier rampaging best

 

[Clarkent]

Yes, you have read the same interviews as me Papallii has said he was overweight and not at his best. He has also said he "owes Samoa his best" if he commits to Samoa I'd expext to see him ( and jnr ) at thier rampaging best

Junior Paulo's committed to Australia from what Meniga said in a article today. Good thing is samoa has a few props to choose from. Not as good as Paulo obviously.
Aloiai, Molo, Josh McGuire and Taupau are a few solid Props to choose from

 

[taste2taste]

Junior Paulo's committed to Australia from what Meniga said in a article today. Good thing is samoa has a few props to choose from. Not as good as Paulo obviously.
Aloiai, Molo, Josh McGuire and Taupau are a few solid Props to choose from

You're right, I did a google search and Mal has spoken to jnr and Josh. Josh will play for Samoa and jnr for Australia.
Hopefully Jnr has a change of heart before selections

 

[Perth Red]

The days of Australia winning WC games 110-4 are over.

dont be so sure. Italy, Greece, Jamaica and Wales will all be whipping boys in their respective groups.