World Cup Squads

[Irish-bulldog]

My two cents:
Not taking the draw into consideration, but just looking at squads...it certainly looks like the weakest teams that the Australia and England teams have had for a while. That being said, I still think the Australia team is the strongest of the field, on par with NZ. I reckon NZ and the other pacific nations have by far the strongest they have assembled, and this is probably what makes this looking to be the most contested (not necessarily even) WC we've seen. The rise in pacific teams and decline of England certainly closes that gap between the top 3 and the rest. Sad that England has declined but truly excited that we should hopefully see some close surprise games and the occasional upset I think Samoa on paper can beat Tonga, but they need to get their sh$t together...

On paper, I'd have:
1. Aus/NZ (any injuries will show NZ lack of depth however)
3. Eng
4. Samoa
5. Tonga
6. PNG/Fiji

As for the rest, I'm disappointed that Theo Fages is injured for France, I really wanted to see him in action. Lebanon may compete in parts, but outside of their outstanding 6/7, they will struggle to stay with the big teams. Excited to see some Jamaican flair on the field and in the crowd. Speaking of flair...Id love the organisers actually do something bloody decent and nation-based for pre-game and entry songs/anthems, rather than churning out 'who let the dogs out' or 'firestarter'. Have a solo bagpiper as Scotland enters, didge for Australia, steel drum for Jamaica, etc.

I don't think there will be many shock teams making the QF's, with Sam/Eng (gr 1), Aus/Fiji (gr 2), Tonga/PNG (gr 4) all givens...the only contentious one I think is gr 3 with lebanese/Ire/Jam battling out for second to partner NZ. From there, the finals should be closer than we've ever had...which I'm most excited about and hopefully go some way to dispelling the myth that there is only 3 decent countries.

I’m actually really disappointed in the nrl pros not turning out for wales, Scotland l, Ireland and Italy, all those sides could be a lot stronger. If the nrl boys showed passion like the island boys and actually made an effort , this would be one hell of a World Cup.

 

[Gobsmacked]

I think everyone is forgetting about fiji. They have a good side but more importantly, they possess more patience and grit than the other pacific nations don't. The teams put together by Scotland and Ireland also exceeded my expectations.
The interesting part is, there's only one team who has a tested spine combination that works - NZ.
Australia could fail epic if Cleary and Munster don't gell and there's every reason that could be the case. England is anyone's guess, they have some quality there but the inclusion of Hall raises serious doubts.
My rankings:
1.New Zealand
2. Australia
3. Fiji
4. England
5. Samoa
6. PNG
7. Tonga
8. France
9. Ireland
10. Lebanon
11. Scotland
12. Cook Islands
13. Jamaica
14. Greece

My rankings are roster but also the character of those nations based on previous games.

New Zealand will knock out Australia in the Quarter final. Who they play in the final is anyone's guess.

 

[Clarkent]

I think everyone is forgetting about fiji. They have a good side but more importantly, they possess more patience and grit than the other pacific nations don't. The teams put together by Scotland and Ireland also exceeded my expectations.
The interesting part is, there's only one team who has a tested spine combination that works - NZ.
Australia could fail epic if Cleary and Munster don't gell and there's every reason that could be the case. England is anyone's guess, they have some quality there but the inclusion of Hall raises serious doubts.
My rankings:
1.New Zealand
2. Australia
3. Fiji
4. England
5. Samoa
6. PNG
7. Tonga
8. France
9. Ireland
10. Lebanon
11. Scotland
12. Cook Islands
13. Jamaica
14. Greece

My rankings are roster but also the character of those nations based on previous games.

New Zealand will knock out Australia in the Quarter final. Who they play in the final is anyone's guess.

Fiji is good but I guess you haven't see there roster. Both Safiti brothers are out and the Sims brothers aren't playing too I think and Kane Evans pulled out due to injury. Even if those players are playing are playing no way do you rank them over England samoa and Tonga

 

[Irish-bulldog]

If API doesn’t play for FIJI they will struggle, he’s that good and he’s that important to that Fiji team

 

[Gobsmacked]

Fiji is good but I guess you haven't see there roster. Both Safiti brothers are out and the Sims brothers aren't playing too I think and Kane Evans pulled out due to injury. Even if those players are playing are playing no way do you rank them over England samoa and Tonga

I didn't know those players were out

 

[Gobsmacked]

Fiji is good but I guess you haven't see there roster. Both Safiti brothers are out and the Sims brothers aren't playing too I think and Kane Evans pulled out due to injury. Even if those players are playing are playing no way do you rank them over England samoa and Tonga

I'm starting to rule out Samoa and Tonga because they've been talked up so much. The weight of expectation will kill those boys

 

[The Penguin #6.]

If API doesn’t play for FIJI they will struggle, he’s that good and he’s that important to that Fiji team

Saw him interviewed yesterday(?) said that with Hunt and Grant being first choice # 9`s for Oz , despite being disappointed he`s more than happy to pull on the boots for Fiji.

 

[Billythekid]

I don’t follow the ESL as closely anymore but that squad doesn’t inspire confidence. I hope they prove me wrong but England could be in for a tough time. In fact it’s hard to see the NH having much of an impact this tournament. It would be so nice to see England and France doing well.

 

[jim_57]

Speaking of Fiji, there was an article the other day about them already being the first team to arrive in England so obviously they know makeup of their squad pending Australian selections and/or injuries in the Grand Final. It would be interesting to know which players are already over there as they’ve obviously made the squad.

 

[jim_57]

Fiji is good but I guess you haven't see there roster. Both Safiti brothers are out and the Sims brothers aren't playing too I think and Kane Evans pulled out due to injury. Even if those players are playing are playing no way do you rank them over England samoa and Tonga

Disappointing if true. Fair chance those players won’t play for Fiji again if they’re injury free and still sitting out a World Cup. Especially Tariq who will likely be retired by the next World Cup and hasn’t played for Fiji for nearly 10 years.

 

[taste2taste]

England squad announced:

Ryan Hall is a baffling selection IMO

For those that follow the ESL How many players that would have made the 17 are out injured ?

Also, no Will Pryce ? Injured or not ready for international footy ?

 

[England87]

Probably 6 or 7 outs due to injury at this stage. The big ones are Walmsley & Lomax, 2 world class players.

 

[Clarkent]

I'm starting to rule out Samoa and Tonga because they've been talked up so much. The weight of expectation will kill those boys

You gonna say the same thing about the Kiwis?

 

[Gobsmacked]

You gonna say the same thing about the Kiwis?

Nope, why would I?

 

[Clarkent]

Nope, why would I?

Obviously they're the favourites and everyone's expecting them to win and get past aussie. The expectation won't be too much for them? But it is for the islands to make it through to the final?

 

[Gobsmacked]

Obviously they're the favourites and everyone's expecting them to win and get past aussie. The expectation won't be too much for them? But it is for the islands to make it through to the final?

The New Zealand team all play Different roles at their clubs, they're Leaders and love and perform well under pressure in big games- completely different types of players.
All of their spine played big roles in the finals, actually most of the team.
Only Luai is any different and he's not real good without Cleary.
Tonga and Samoa are stacked with good players but not many who are dependable who do all the little things.
New Zealand flogged Tonga a couple of months ago. As soon as things didn't go their way, they had brain explosions. They don't want to do the work, they just want to be the hero.
I hope I'm wrong btw but history tells another story.

 

[Clarkent]

The New Zealand team all play Different roles at their clubs, they're Leaders and love and perform well under pressure in big games- completely different types of players.
All of their spine played big roles in the finals, actually most of the team.
Only Luai is any different and he's not real good without Cleary.
Tonga and Samoa are stacked with good players but not many who are dependable who do all the little things.
New Zealand flogged Tonga a couple of months ago. As soon as things didn't go their way, they had brain explosions. They don't want to do the work, they just want to be the hero.
I hope I'm wrong btw but history tells another story.

Everyone's judging tonga off that one loss against the Kiwis too much. The tongans had no coach, Some of there senior players weren't playing because they were in the SL and at least 10 of those players we're on debut. Tonga will be a different team at the world cup. Having a good spine doesn't always guarantee you wins. Tonga did it with a spine of Hopoate/Lolohea/Hingano/Havili and beat the aussies with Tedesco/Dce/Munster/Cook. Tongan team also has alot of leadership in that team to keep a cool head in Taumalolo,Hopoate,Fifita and Woolfe as Coach. Samoa has Luai, he will always be in Clearys shadow but that's another story for another day, and they also have the Eels Capt Paulo to lead the team, Papali'i who's got experience in origin and the kangaroos and Anthony Milford who's been in the finals with the Broncos. So both Island teams ain't lacking any leaders.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Everyone's judging tonga off that one loss against the Kiwis too much. The tongans had no coach, Some of there senior players weren't playing because they were in the SL and at least 10 of those players we're on debut. Tonga will be a different team at the world cup. Having a good spine doesn't always guarantee you wins. Tonga did it with a spine of Hopoate/Lolohea/Hingano/Havili and beat the aussies with Tedesco/Dce/Munster/Cook. Tongan team also has alot of leadership in that team to keep a cool head in Taumalolo,Hopoate,Fifita and Woolfe as Coach. Samoa has Luai, he will always be in Clearys shadow but that's another story for another day, and they also have the Eels Capt Paulo to lead the team, Papali'i who's got experience in origin and the kangaroos and Anthony Milford who's been in the finals with the Broncos. So both Island teams ain't lacking any leaders.

My point is that everyone talking them up is the last thing they want. It will certainly work against them.
Their performances in that year were great because they were expected to lose....

 

[Clarkent]

My point is that everyone talking them up is the last thing they want. It will certainly work against them.
Their performances in that year were great because they were expected to lose....

No one expected tonga to lose tbh it was more of "I hope they lose for leaving the kiwis" type of noise but I do get your point. When I see headlines about the Samoan team doing well at the world cup I always hope the players don't read too much into it because that will affect the way they play

 

[Matua]

Obviously they're the favourites and everyone's expecting them to win and get past aussie. The expectation won't be too much for them? But it is for the islands to make it through to the final?

We're not the favourites. Australia are always the favourites. In saying that this years team is good enough to beat them, but I wouldn't bet the house on it. But, to one of your following posts they're good enough to beat Tonga again because despite the excuses put forward they outmatch the vaunted Tongan pack.