World Cup Squads

[Stinkfinger]

Has he played much at lock? I don't watch any SL but there must be a reason why he got picked for Samoa.

Regularly came on when he was at Penrith as a tackling middle. I doubt you'd start him there though. I think he was picked due to his versatility. He's also played for years with half the side.

 

[aqua_duck]

Class players all over the park. Only area they might be light on is edge backrowers. I don't think Su'a, Tualagi or Leilua are going to worry the top teams. Schulster and Nania would have made a huge difference.

I think you're being abit harsh on Su'a and Leilua, Su'a has played origin and started in a grand final less than 12 months ago, Leilua was very good for the cowboys this year. I mean they might not be Kikau or Nanai but they're not exactly chopped liver.

 

[MKCS]

Honestly I’ve heard it all lol France will get pumped by 50, the northern hemisphere is light years behind the southern.

I do agree that any of the top tier teams would likely smash France by 50. I think much like the FIFA World Cup in which a squad wants as many people from the top leagues around the world (Germany, France, Italy and England) the Rugby League World Cup is much the same in that unless a team has at least SOME NRL experience they are unlikely to get very far. France for example may have a few star players but in reality every player except 2 are from the team that ran 4th and the team that ran last in Super League.

France though does have the benefit of being a fully professional team though due to those 2 teams in the Super League. Both Ireland and Lebanon don't have those same bragging rights...

 

[Gobsmacked]

I do agree that any of the top tier teams would likely smash France by 50. I think much like the FIFA World Cup in which a squad wants as many people from the top leagues around the world (Germany, France, Italy and England) the Rugby League World Cup is much the same in that unless a team has at least SOME NRL experience they are unlikely to get very far. France for example may have a few star players but in reality every player except 2 are from the team that ran 4th and the team that ran last in Super League.

France though does have the benefit of being a fully professional team though due to those 2 teams in the Super League. Both Ireland and Lebanon don't have those same bragging rights...

What works against both Samoa and Tonga is they don't go well as favourites. If they're expecting to win by 50, it'll probably be close.

 

[Clarkent]

Regularly came on when he was at Penrith as a tackling middle. I doubt you'd start him there though. I think he was picked due to his versatility. He's also played for years with half the side.

Tyrone May might be the player that could surprise everyone this world cup. Like you said he's played with Luai through age grade and the nrl. And if he comes on as a lock it could work. The samoan team that's pick is balanced everywhere. Feagai is also another player who's underrated and could do something if he gers selected

 

[TDD91]

England squad announced:

Ryan Hall is a baffling selection IMO

 

[jim_57]

England


Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons) - Captain
Andy Ackers (Salford Red Devils)
Joe Batchelor (St Helens)
John Bateman (Wigan Warriors)
Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Mike Cooper (Wigan Warriors)
Herbie Farnworth (Brisbane Broncos)
Ryan Hall (Hull KR)
Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Tommy Makinson (St Helens)
Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons)
Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors)
Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
Marc Sneyd (Salford Red Devils)
Luke Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)

 

[England87]

So there is one Centre in that 24-man squad... 2 if you count Watkins and I dont.

W T Actual F

 

[mozza91]

Stoked for Dom Young making the squad. Thoroughly deserved, hope he gets a start.

 

[TDD91]

So there is one Centre in that 24-man squad... 2 if you count Watkins and I dont.

W T Actual F

KPP has been primarily a centre this season, but isn't ready for internationals there yet IMO. Newman & Percival are injured. Hardaker & Connor are major character concerns.

 

[Clarkent]

So there is one Centre in that 24-man squad... 2 if you count Watkins and I dont.

W T Actual F

I don't watch any SL but I do remember Hill,Tomkins and Hall from a few international games. Are they still good or what?? Surely they're in there mid 30s??

 

[mikail-eagle]

So looks like James Segeyaro is going to be left out of the PNG Kumuls Squad.

He posted this on his Instagram.

 

[England87]

Lol Segeyaro. Edwin Ipape is going to light this tournament up.

 

[England87]

I don't watch any SL but I do remember Hill,Tomkins and Hall from a few international games. Are they still good or what?? Surely they're in there mid 30s??

Tomkins is there purely for leadership. No matter the number on his back he will play a lot of 6 and 7 in attacking sets. Decent short-kicking game.

Hall was the 5th choice Winger for the chooks a few years ago and he isn't even in the Top 10 finishers in Super League. Defensively sound and makes ok meters on play 2 off kick returns but it is otherwise an uninspired selection. The idea of him in a ten-metre channel opposite Latrell and (insert any Aussie winger here) makes me genuinly cringe.

Chris Hill won't let us down. A poor mans Steve Price at his best.

And yes all three of them are old as f**k.

 

[TDD91]

Lol Segeyaro. Edwin Ipape is going to light this tournament up.

Saw Ipape at the 1895 Cup Final where he won MOTM, definitely above Championship level, would expect him to do well in Super League next season with Leigh (Barring a Batley Miracle)

 

[KennySterling]

I don't watch any SL but I do remember Hill,Tomkins and Hall from a few international games. Are they still good or what?? Surely they're in there mid 30s??

Tomkins is 33, Hill & Hall both turn 35 in November.

 

[KennySterling]

Lol Segeyaro. Edwin Ipape is going to light this tournament up.

Edwin Ipape could be the star of the tournament.

Championship Player of the Year having scored 25 tries in 26 games (starting only 4).

 

[Gobsmacked]

I watched a game that Segyaro played for Blacktown and couldn't figure out why he wasn't in the NRL . He's a brilliant player and would have added much needed experience to PNG .
I was hoping the Dolphins would have got him tbh.
Huge error by PNG in my opinion.
They still have time to adjust their squad, so hopefully they come to their senses and realise he's be an exceptional 14 .

 

[Clarkent]

Tomkins is there purely for leadership. No matter the number on his back he will play a lot of 6 and 7 in attacking sets. Decent short-kicking game.

Hall was the 5th choice Winger for the chooks a few years ago and he isn't even in the Top 10 finishers in Super League. Defensively sound and makes ok meters on play 2 off kick returns but it is otherwise an uninspired selection. The idea of him in a ten-metre channel opposite Latrell and (insert any Aussie winger here) makes me genuinly cringe.

Chris Hill won't let us down. A poor mans Steve Price at his best.

And yes all three of them are old as f**k.

Yeah I do remember Hall at his prime being such a powerful winger and so hard to stop but I'm shocked he's still playing or even good enough to make the English squad. So basically Wane is gonna use him like how samoa uses To'o and May. If he starts for England I can see the panthers backline target him on defense

 

[wain]

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.