RLWC 2026
- Thread starter Billy
- Start date
bremsstrahlung
Neil Piccinelli
I’m confused why he wasn’t included in the first place if he’s been called up now.
I did think it was because they didn’t want a suspended player in the squad - limiting their options.
He was floated as next man up and a possible injury replacement - which would have made sense if there was an injury in the opening 3 games and then Crossland comes in and they only “miss” the squad player for 1-2 games.
But now he’s in, before a ball is kicked. Which brings me back to, why wasn’t he in the squad to begin with?
Die Hard
John Allanson
Chess, maybe theres an injury now.
Anyone planning to go to Fiji vs Cook Islands at McDonald Jones on Sunday?
Pool B and C look really interesting, just the top two sides go through to the semis. England vs Tonga on Saturday will be a huge game on Saturday. But then Tonga still have to play Samoa, Samoa don't play England. So it's not quite an elimination game.
The England side looks quite weak to me though, I could see Tonga and Samoa making it out of this pool.
Pool B and C look really interesting, just the top two sides go through to the semis. England vs Tonga on Saturday will be a huge game on Saturday. But then Tonga still have to play Samoa, Samoa don't play England. So it's not quite an elimination game.
The England side looks quite weak to me though, I could see Tonga and Samoa making it out of this pool.
krustykraz
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Does 7 show the world cup?
Not 9?
Not 9?
Billy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
all on 7 and 7plus
The game pre-views don't show any pay TV option, so those who don't have free to air will have to sign up for 7plus I suppose.
Confirmed here, gutted for Greg. No details on the injury: https://toasamoarl.com/toa-samoa-confirm-squad-change-ahead-of-rugby-league-world-cup/
MullosLefttoRight
Andrew Tangata-Toa
Absolutely gutting - there was an article last week where Greg talked about changing his surname to Marzhew to represent his maternal Grandfather who raised him after his biological father left. Greg said he chose to represent Samoa to honour his Grandfather, who passed two years ago.
I'm glad he managed one test for Samoa in 2023 but he deserves more rep jerseys and would've thrived as part of a strong Samoan back 5.
MullosLefttoRight
Andrew Tangata-Toa
International Rugby League is a bit of a nightmare in the sense there's not much clarity around these squads - Teams were made to name a 40-man squad around a month ago, one player could be named in multiple squads, various coaches have referenced restrictions on calling up players outside of that 40-man squad, some teams have shadow players/injury reserves etc. It's painfully difficult to follow.
Apologies if I've missed an official confirmation but I daresay that video is merely confirming they've brought him into camp to assist with preparation, rather than announcing he's joined their 23-man playing squad. This probably has a dual-purpose in supporting our application to have the World Cup games count toward his suspension - If approved, the Kiwis would be able to call him up if they get an injury during the pool games, whereas if our application isn't approved he'll still be suspended for the WC Finals and they lose that opportunity. Bringing him into camp surely kills any argument around his "non-selection" in their 23-man squad as it relates to his suspension.
Matty James
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
It’s probably been mentioned already which I may have missed, but what happens with Phoenix and his suspension? He’s been called into camp recently. How’s that all work?
Latrell to the right (he's played there before) and Best on the left seemed like the smart thing to do. This is Kevvie though we are talking about. I've never rated Staggs at all.
krustykraz
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
That's the way I would go. But Trell was talking about getting revenge on again ( so he thinks he's on the left). Trell would make a good winger too, another option.
I don't rate Staggs either, has been average in origin.
Celticman98
Steve Simpson
Ponga and Gagai both named at fullback and centre for the Kiwis.
Bradman in the reserves for Kangaroos.
Reece Walsh named ahead of James Tedesco and Moses selected at 7.
Bradman in the reserves for Kangaroos.
Reece Walsh named ahead of James Tedesco and Moses selected at 7.
mullenmagic
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Knights named for week 1:
Australia
19. Bradman Best
New Zealand
1. Kalyn Ponga
3. Dane Gagai
Samoa
12. Jermaine McEwen
13. Francis Manuleleua
Reserves - Pasami Saulo
England
2. Dominic Young
Tonga
13. Tyson Frizell
Fiji
8. Jacob Saifiti
Women:
Australia
9. Olivia Higgins
Samoa
2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
England
7. Georgia Roche
New Zealand
Reserves - Shanice Parker, Tenika Willison
Australia
19. Bradman Best
New Zealand
1. Kalyn Ponga
3. Dane Gagai
Samoa
12. Jermaine McEwen
13. Francis Manuleleua
Reserves - Pasami Saulo
England
2. Dominic Young
Tonga
13. Tyson Frizell
Fiji
8. Jacob Saifiti
Women:
Australia
9. Olivia Higgins
Samoa
2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
England
7. Georgia Roche
New Zealand
Reserves - Shanice Parker, Tenika Willison
Die Hard
John Allanson
I
Interesting both Manu and Frizell listed as lock, keen to see how they both go and look forward to Manu playing lock one day and miss Frizell being such a gun.
Matty James
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Tbh, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Kiwis get up in this one.
Wagyu Patty
Timana Tahu
Marzhew hard done by, think he's stacks better than Mariner