2013 Rugby League World Cup Thread

Well, I guess that's what the selectors thought ... particularly in the last year, I'm thinking.

I still reckon it's a big call ... and if they go with Mannering instead, the wrong one.
 
Can't wait for the Samoa Tonga test in a few weeks time! Looks like Fa'alogo will be a shoe in.
 
Since there has been alot of talk about the world cup lately I though I would post the draw so we all know who is playing and when don't have exact times yet but I do have the dates.

It should be noted as well that because Groups C & D only have 3 teams each they will play mixed games e.g Tonga (Group C) vs Cook Islands (Group D)...

Group A - Australia, England, Fiji, Ireland

Group B - PNG, New Zealand, France, Samoa

Group C - Tonga, Scotland, Italy

Group D - USA, Wales, Cook Islands


Saturday October 26th

Australia vs England
Wales vs Italy

Sunday October 27th

PNG vs France
New Zealand vs Samoa

Monday October 28th

Fiji vs Ireland

Tuesday October 29th

Tonga vs Scotland

Wednesday October 30th

USA vs Cook Islands

Friday November 1st

New Zealand vs France

Saturday November 2nd

England vs Ireland
Australia vs Fiji

Sunday November 3rd

Scotland vs Italy
Wales vs USA

Monday November 4th

PNG vs Samoa

Tuesday November 5th

Tonga vs Cook Islands

Thursday November 7th

Scotland vs USA

Friday Novemeber 8th

New Zealand vs PNG

Saturday November 9th

England vs Fiji
Australia vs Ireland

Sunday November 10th

Tonga vs Italy
Wales vs Cook Islands

Monday November 11

France vs Samoa

Friday November 15th (Quarter Finals)

Winner Group B vs Winner Group C

Saturday November 16th (Quarter Finals)

Winner Group A vs Winner Group D

Runner Up Group A vs Third Place Group B

Sunday November 17th (Quarter Finals)

Runner Up Group B vs Third Place Group A

Saturday November 23rd (Semi - Finals)

Winner QF 1 vs Winner QF 4
Winner QF 2 vs Winner QF 3

Saturday November 30th (Final)

Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2
 
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Anthony Minichiello to decide between Blues and Azzurri








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Anthony Minichiello in action for the Roosters. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph



ANTHONY Minichiello may be forced to decide between playing a World Cup with brother Mark - or representing NSW in State of Origin.


The Daily Telegraph understands Minichiello is currently unavailable to play for the Blues after declaring his eligibility to play for Italy at the end-of-season World Cup.Minichiello's brother, Gold Coast Titan Mark, will also play for the Azzurri.Should fullback Jarryd Hayne be forced out of State of Origin II in Brisbane with a leg injury, NSW coach Laurie Daley will have to decide between Minichiello, the Dragons' Josh Dugan, Manly's Brett Stewart and Cronulla's Michael Gordon.Dugan, who plays for the Dragons against North Queensland tomorrow night, is odds-on favourite with Minichiello running second. Stewart is unlikely to be available because of injury.Minichiello, though, would have to declare himself available for Australia to play State of Origin.If he did that, he would then have to wait two years - under the International Rugby League guidelines - before returning to represent Italy.That, obviously, would be well after the World Cup."Under the current RLIF eligibility rules a player is entitled to change his country of election once every two years or after the World Cup, whichever is the earlier," said Andrew Hill, NRL general manager game development and league integration."In order to participate in Origin, a player must be eligible and select Australia as his country of election."The commission was very keen to ensure the concept of the State of Origin remained as a game between NSW and Queensland. Tightening up the eligibility rules was a move towards ensuring the concept was protected."



http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...lues-and-azzurri/story-fni3gn3s-1226662777916


 
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Really is a no brainer surely. Already played for the Blues on countless occasions so why pick NSW ahead of the nation of his heritage for a swansong world cup.
 
Doesn't the ARL / Comission say players have to be eligible for Australia to play Origin? Minichiello played for Italy in the 2011 qualifiers, so I don't see how he could possibly be eligible for NSW.

These type of situations need a real clean-up and clarification though, it's messy as anything.
 
Actually just thinking of it wouldn't he be allowed to play for the Blues and then Italy because its World Cup year? Didn't Hayne do that last World Cup.
 
cowboyman said:
Actually just thinking of it wouldn't he be allowed to play for the Blues and then Italy because its World Cup year? Didn't Hayne do that last World Cup.
Click to expand...

I think you can only change your allegiance once per World Cup period ... so since Minichiello has already played for Italy since 2008, if he goes back to Aus then he won't be able to go back to Italy again.

Or something.

My head hurts.
 
jamesgould said:
Doesn't the ARL / Comission say players have to be eligible for Australia to play Origin? Minichiello played for Italy in the 2011 qualifiers, so I don't see how he could possibly be eligible for NSW.

These type of situations need a real clean-up and clarification though, it's messy as anything.
Click to expand...


This is what I found from NRL.com

"To qualify for State of Origin you must be eligible and elect to play for Australia and have not represented another Tier 1 Nation at Senior Level (England/New Zealand)."


Here is the link if you would like to see it http://www.nrl.com/nrl-mailbox-origin-eligibility/tabid/11038/newsid/66664/default.aspx

There is an attached flow chart that is easy to understand...just click the STATE OF ORIGIN ELIGIBILITY link at the top of the article

Hope that helps :)
 
Anthony Minichiello out of running for NSW Origin job thanks to allegiance to Italy








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Sydney Roosters, and Italy, captain Anthony Minichiello has been ruled out of State of Origin. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: The Daily Telegraph




​
IT has become NSW's No.1 problem. The Blues' fullback saga took another major twist yesterday when star Anthony Minichiello was ruled ineligible to represent NSW.


The Daily Telegraph can reveal Minichiello, the Roosters' fullback, pledged his allegiance to Italy before a World Cup qualifying game in October 2011 and cannot reverse that decision for two years. It means Minichiello will captain the Azzurri at the end-of-season World Cup in England - but cannot represent NSW.The fullback drama for State of Origin II now includes:

INCUMBENT Jarryd Hayne (hamstring) battling to be fit for the June 26 match in Brisbane;

BRETT Stewart also unavailable through injury;

ST GEORGE Illawarra's Josh Dugan being favourite - should Hayne withdraw - but having to get through tonight's match against the Cowboys unscathed to take his place;

IF Dugan is injured or suspended, Minichiello - the second choice - cannot play;

THAT would leave Cronulla's Michael Gordon as next in the queue; and

DO NOT be surprised if Rabbitoh Nathan Merritt emerges as a fullback bolter. NSW coach Laurie Daley accepts Minichiello's decision."Mini has made his decision and we are fine with that," Daley said.Italian media manager Peter Peters said Minichiello's inclusion would ensure a powerful Azzurri side. "Mini will be our skipper," Peters said."We have Mini at fullback, hopefully Terry Campese at five-eighth, Craig Gower at halfback and Shaun Berrigan at hooker."Andrew Hill, NRL general manager game development and league integration, pointed out why Minichiello was unavailable for NSW."Under the current RLIF eligibility rules a player is entitled to change his country of election once every two years or after the World Cup, whichever is the earlier," he said."In order to participate in the State of Origin, a player must be eligible and select Australia as his country of election. The commission was very keen to ensure the concept of the State of Origin remained as a game between NSW and Queensland."It is understood that Minichiello's manager approached the NRL to ask permission for the fullback to represent NSW and in the World Cup for Italy. The request has been denied.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...egiance-to-italy/story-fni3fqyo-1226663510411
 
Widdop still a chance for World Cup



NRL.com
Tue 02nd July, 9:30pm



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England coach Steve McNamara isn't ruling Gareth Widdop out of the World Cup just yet

England coach Steve McNamara is still hopeful Gareth Widdop will be available for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, despite the Storm star suffering a gruesome dislocated hip late last month.

Widdop was stretchered from the field in agony during Melbourne's 18-12 loss to Gold Coast in round 15, and Storm coach Craig Bellamy later ruled his five-eighth out for the rest of the year.
But McNamara, who is in Australia to brief his NRL-based players on England's World Cup preparations, is still hoping Widdop will represent the Lions at the end-of-season tournament.

"Look, he's very positive. He's not ruled out just yet," McNamara told the SportsFanClubhouse.

http://www.nrl.com/widdop-still-a-chance-for-world-cup/tabid/10874/newsid/73238/default.aspx
 
Tim Sheens insists New Zealand are rugby league World Cup favourites




  • AAP
  • JULY 09, 2013 4:05AM



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The Kangaroos' opening game against England at the Millennium Stadium is a must-win fixture, according to coach Tim Sheens. Picture: Wesley Monts Source: Townsville Bulletin



AUSTRALIA'S rugby league coach Tim Sheens insists New Zealand are the favourites for the World Cup.

The bookmakers have the Kangaroos at 1-4 to lift the trophy at Old Trafford on November 30 but Sheens, in England to support the Festival of World Cups, believes the competition is wide open.Sheens took over from Ricky Stuart after Australia lost to the Kiwis in the 2008 final in Brisbane and has been full-time in the role since losing his club job with Wests Tigers a year ago.

"When I took over at the end of '08, my main aim was to hopefully survive long enough to have a shot at it," Sheens told reporters at the Rugby Football League's Leeds headquarters.

Sheens also experienced a final defeat, after New Zealand won the 2009 Four Nations in Brisbane, and that makes him especially wary of Stephen Kearney's men going into the 14-team tournament, which kicks off in Cardiff on October 26.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-cup-favourites/story-fni3fbgz-1226676259899
 
I actually think England are looking very strong. Their forward pack will be an absolute beast of a thing.

New Zealand made a really good appointment with Ivan Cleary as assistant coach a week or so ago.

All three main sides will go into it thinking they can win, can't wait, it will be a brilliant tournament!
 
jamesgould said:
I actually think England are looking very strong. Their forward pack will be an absolute beast of a thing.

New Zealand made a really good appointment with Ivan Cleary as assistant coach a week or so ago.

All three main sides will go into it thinking they can win, can't wait, it will be a brilliant tournament!
Click to expand...

Agree about England, With the Sam and George Burgess, Gareth Hock, Kevin Sinfeild, Gareth Ellis and Adrian Morley all likely to be there they will have a formidable pack.

NZ will have their best line up in a while and a squad that I think is stronger than the one who won the 2008 also Ivan Cleary will bring a winning confidence and alot of coaching experience to them.

Foran, Marshall (maybe), Isaac Luke, SBW, Jeremy Smith, Mannering, Pritchard, Waerea- Hargreaves, Shaun Johnson, Nightingale, Kasiano, Alex Glenn....Geez theres some talent there

Australia will also field a strong squad as always with JT, Slater, Smith, Cronk and Inglis being the key to our success

Your right it's going to be one hell of a contest !!!! Tipping a NZ vs Australia Final :)
 
It will be a strong world cup from top to bottom.
England are on a sporting high as a result of Tony Blair deciding many years ago to pour some serious money into sports. Because England is a much bigger country than Australia they have been pouring in nearly triple the money Australia spends on sport in the last 10 years or so, and they are reaping rewards in sport after sport. Not much of this money is finding it's way into RL, but the nation is on a sporting high and their League side will really put in at home. I think they will be hard to beat.
 
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