Wish Tohu Harris could have gifted me his free world cup trip so I could've gone! Really wanted to go over and see the semis and final, but just couldn't afford it. 
2013 Rugby League World Cup Thread
- Thread starter Joshhh
- Start date
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Nate Myles ready to bury State of Origin hatchet for benefit of Kangaroos at the World Cup
GOLD Coast forward Nate Myles has rubbished suggestions lingering State of Origin hostilities will divide the Australian squad at the Rugby League World Cup.
Myles became the centre of controversy in game one of this year’s interstate series when he was slugged by Blues captain Paul Gallen, who claimed the Maroons star led with his head when tackling.
The confrontation saw the NRL introduce its "no biff’’ policy, but that didn’t stop the sides coming to blows in the second match, resulting in the controversial sin-binning of four players.
While it has been nearly three months since the Maroons sealed their eighth successive series win, there has been speculation the result could cause a rift along state lines within the Kangaroos camp.
But Myles, who was named in the Kangaroos’ 24-man squad on Monday, denied there would be any ill-feeling, saying all club and state allegiances are put aside when wearing the green and gold.
"You’re there to do a job and that’s for Australia and that’s your focus," Myles said while visiting his hometown of Gordonvale Wednesday."I think anyone who goes into an Australian camp worrying about themselves and any sort of battle they’ve got with someone else is being a little bit selfish.’’
Myles admits he was nervous about his selection prospects after his season was ended by an ankle injury suffered against the Roosters in round 25.
But the 28-year-old is confident of passing Thursday’s team medical and expects to be on the plane to England for the five-week tournament."It’s close to 100 per cent now and hopefully it’ll get to 100 per cent down in Sydney,’’ he said of his ankle.
"It’s one of those things. You try to walk around and just do normal things and if your ankle’s not feeling right, you can’t help but think a little negative."But the way things are now, the ankle is starting to feel really good.’’
Myles will need to be at full fitness if he lines up against Sonny Bill Williams, who was officially named in New Zealand’s World Cup squad on Wednesday.
The Roosters superstar originally planned to skip the tournament ahead of a likely return to rugby union but had a change of heart on Tuesday.
While there has been some controversy about the dual international’s late inclusion, Myles said the World Cup would only benefit from having Williams take part.
"He’s not the easiest bloke to tackle, but it’s fantastic for the game,’’ he said."He’s a drawcard and there’s probably no better athlete in the game than him at the moment.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...at-the-world-cup/story-fni3fbgz-1226736112350
- ANDREW PIVA
- TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN
- OCTOBER 10, 2013 12:00AM
GOLD Coast forward Nate Myles has rubbished suggestions lingering State of Origin hostilities will divide the Australian squad at the Rugby League World Cup.
Myles became the centre of controversy in game one of this year’s interstate series when he was slugged by Blues captain Paul Gallen, who claimed the Maroons star led with his head when tackling.
The confrontation saw the NRL introduce its "no biff’’ policy, but that didn’t stop the sides coming to blows in the second match, resulting in the controversial sin-binning of four players.
While it has been nearly three months since the Maroons sealed their eighth successive series win, there has been speculation the result could cause a rift along state lines within the Kangaroos camp.
But Myles, who was named in the Kangaroos’ 24-man squad on Monday, denied there would be any ill-feeling, saying all club and state allegiances are put aside when wearing the green and gold.
"You’re there to do a job and that’s for Australia and that’s your focus," Myles said while visiting his hometown of Gordonvale Wednesday."I think anyone who goes into an Australian camp worrying about themselves and any sort of battle they’ve got with someone else is being a little bit selfish.’’
Myles admits he was nervous about his selection prospects after his season was ended by an ankle injury suffered against the Roosters in round 25.
But the 28-year-old is confident of passing Thursday’s team medical and expects to be on the plane to England for the five-week tournament."It’s close to 100 per cent now and hopefully it’ll get to 100 per cent down in Sydney,’’ he said of his ankle.
"It’s one of those things. You try to walk around and just do normal things and if your ankle’s not feeling right, you can’t help but think a little negative."But the way things are now, the ankle is starting to feel really good.’’
Myles will need to be at full fitness if he lines up against Sonny Bill Williams, who was officially named in New Zealand’s World Cup squad on Wednesday.
The Roosters superstar originally planned to skip the tournament ahead of a likely return to rugby union but had a change of heart on Tuesday.
While there has been some controversy about the dual international’s late inclusion, Myles said the World Cup would only benefit from having Williams take part.
"He’s not the easiest bloke to tackle, but it’s fantastic for the game,’’ he said."He’s a drawcard and there’s probably no better athlete in the game than him at the moment.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...at-the-world-cup/story-fni3fbgz-1226736112350
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rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
'Half-a-game' Sonny Bill Williams won't be missed, says league legend John Sattler
SOUTHS legend John Sattler has launched a stinging attack on "half-a-game" Sonny Bill Williams, saying his likely departure from the NRL will not be the crushing blow many envisage.
Williams' murky future took another bizarre twist on Tuesday night when he made himself available for New Zealand's World Cup campaign - just hours after ruling himself out of the event.
The shock backflip prompted Test selector Richie Barnett to accuse the Roosters superstar of "disrespecting" the Kiwis as he weighs up a likely return to New Zealand rugby after the World Cup.
While Williams' signing with the NZRU appears a fait accompli, Roosters chairman Nick Politis is refusing to give up hope of keeping the dual international at Bondi.
But Sattler is not convinced Williams' weekly contributions match the hype. Souths' last premiership-winning captain in 1971, Sattler attended last Sunday night's grand final and walked away lukewarm about the Kiwi Test star's game of two halves.
The Roosters have formally approached the NRL seeking salary cap assistance to retain Williams, but Sattler says the code owes the 108kg forward no favours."I don't think we'd miss him, the game goes on," said Sattler, a former Test captain.
"Once they start this, 'will I or won't I go' ... well just leave Sonny Bill."If your heart isn't in rugby league, go and play another code.
"The game shouldn't do any more than it has already to keep him."
While he made uncharacteristic mistakes in the opening half of the grand final, Williams produced a superb second stanza, finishing with 23 tackles and 141 metres from 14 runs.
This season, the 28-year-old has averaged 12 hit-ups, 24 tackles and 108 metres per game, figures Sattler believes do not denote greatness.
"He can't be considered a great of the game, imagine putting him in the same league as Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote or Reg Gasnier," Sattler said.
"He doesn't get involved enough, he hangs around and every so often he will make a great run, but he has no work-rate."His first half the other night was woeful, in grand finals your first half is crucial so he really played half-a-game.
"Sonny Bill wouldn't hold a candle to Coote or McCarthy. There's no doubt he has plenty of ability but in my opinion he just doesn't do enough work."
Despite Barnett's blast, the NZRL eventually added Williams to their Cup squad, just prior to the forward explaining his backflip on social media.
"Without thinking the whole situation through, I eagerly jumped at the chance to chill out and rest," he said."After having some time to really think about how much representing my country means to me, I decided to put my name forward for selection."
Maroons coach Mal Meninga believes NRL hierarchy can do no more to prevent Williams returning to play for the Chiefs and All Blacks in 2014.
"I think the NRL have done enough," Meninga said."Sonny Bill understands how much the game wants him to stay. It's a personal decision. The game has told Sonny Bill how much they want him to stay and they will do everything they possibly can, but at the end of the day it will be his decision."
Broncos rival Justin Hodges urged Williams not to walk away from rugby league."I think he has been fantastic for the game," he said."When you lose players like Karmichael (Hunt) and 'Izzy' (Folau) to other codes, it makes their codes bigger.
"We need our big names to stay, a guy like Sonny Bill draws fans and entertains."Having him this year made the game a bit more hyped and I think he's a fantastic athlete. The Roosters have the money to keep him, it's just a matter of whether he wants to stay on. I hope he does."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...end-john-sattler/story-fni3gn3s-1226735605332
- PETER BADEL
- THE COURIER-MAIL
- OCTOBER 10, 2013 12:00AM
SOUTHS legend John Sattler has launched a stinging attack on "half-a-game" Sonny Bill Williams, saying his likely departure from the NRL will not be the crushing blow many envisage.
Williams' murky future took another bizarre twist on Tuesday night when he made himself available for New Zealand's World Cup campaign - just hours after ruling himself out of the event.
The shock backflip prompted Test selector Richie Barnett to accuse the Roosters superstar of "disrespecting" the Kiwis as he weighs up a likely return to New Zealand rugby after the World Cup.
While Williams' signing with the NZRU appears a fait accompli, Roosters chairman Nick Politis is refusing to give up hope of keeping the dual international at Bondi.
But Sattler is not convinced Williams' weekly contributions match the hype. Souths' last premiership-winning captain in 1971, Sattler attended last Sunday night's grand final and walked away lukewarm about the Kiwi Test star's game of two halves.
The Roosters have formally approached the NRL seeking salary cap assistance to retain Williams, but Sattler says the code owes the 108kg forward no favours."I don't think we'd miss him, the game goes on," said Sattler, a former Test captain.
"Once they start this, 'will I or won't I go' ... well just leave Sonny Bill."If your heart isn't in rugby league, go and play another code.
"The game shouldn't do any more than it has already to keep him."
While he made uncharacteristic mistakes in the opening half of the grand final, Williams produced a superb second stanza, finishing with 23 tackles and 141 metres from 14 runs.
This season, the 28-year-old has averaged 12 hit-ups, 24 tackles and 108 metres per game, figures Sattler believes do not denote greatness.
"He can't be considered a great of the game, imagine putting him in the same league as Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote or Reg Gasnier," Sattler said.
"He doesn't get involved enough, he hangs around and every so often he will make a great run, but he has no work-rate."His first half the other night was woeful, in grand finals your first half is crucial so he really played half-a-game.
"Sonny Bill wouldn't hold a candle to Coote or McCarthy. There's no doubt he has plenty of ability but in my opinion he just doesn't do enough work."
Despite Barnett's blast, the NZRL eventually added Williams to their Cup squad, just prior to the forward explaining his backflip on social media.
"Without thinking the whole situation through, I eagerly jumped at the chance to chill out and rest," he said."After having some time to really think about how much representing my country means to me, I decided to put my name forward for selection."
Maroons coach Mal Meninga believes NRL hierarchy can do no more to prevent Williams returning to play for the Chiefs and All Blacks in 2014.
"I think the NRL have done enough," Meninga said."Sonny Bill understands how much the game wants him to stay. It's a personal decision. The game has told Sonny Bill how much they want him to stay and they will do everything they possibly can, but at the end of the day it will be his decision."
Broncos rival Justin Hodges urged Williams not to walk away from rugby league."I think he has been fantastic for the game," he said."When you lose players like Karmichael (Hunt) and 'Izzy' (Folau) to other codes, it makes their codes bigger.
"We need our big names to stay, a guy like Sonny Bill draws fans and entertains."Having him this year made the game a bit more hyped and I think he's a fantastic athlete. The Roosters have the money to keep him, it's just a matter of whether he wants to stay on. I hope he does."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...end-john-sattler/story-fni3gn3s-1226735605332
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rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Kiwi view: New Zealand slams decision to dump Tohu Harris for Sonny Bill Williams in World Cup squad
BEST player in the world or not, Sonny Bill Williams has created a fire storm in his homeland after his backflip on his decision to skip the Rugby League World Cup.
With Melbourne Storm backrower Tohu Harris dumped from the New Zealand squad to accommodate the bend in the breeze whim of rugby-bound Williams, the New Zealand press has gone into overdrive to condemn the whole sorry mess.
While Harris has handled the matter with tremendous poise and restraint, New Zealand Herald columnist Chris Rattue believes the Storm rising star should thumb his nose at his national jersey until the current administration is flushed out.
"This is a day of shame for Kiwis league. In my view, the most reprehensible New Zealand sporting decision was the Olympic committee's selection of child killer Soulan Pownceby, a manipulative scumbag of the highest order, but this SBW/Harris situation is a terrific candidate for the distant silver," Rattue writes.
And according to Rattue, the manner in which the decision was played out is likely to demoralise the defending World Champions, whose greatest strength is their team spirit.
I'm really sorry about the Tohu situation it was never my intention I just followed my heart, now i promise ill play with all of it. #Kiwis— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) October 9, 2013
"When a player is given every chance to indicate availability with no extenuating circumstances, don't name another bloke without provisos and then blade him. I believe that is unforgivable, on a moral level, and also in building integrity and camaraderie within a squad.
"Even the playing brotherhood might know that a code of honour has been shattered. The Kiwis won the 2008 title on spirit and without SBW, who walked out on them in the World Cup year. The next time Kearney looks his players in the eye, and tells them they need to stick together through thick and thin ... well, they could ask for a sick bucket."
While the finger of blame is being pointed roughshod at Sonny Bill and the New Zealand Rugby League, former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe believes it's Stephen Kearney who needs to be held responsible.
"Stephen Kearney has created amateur hour," Lowe told Fox Sports News on Wednesday.
"To say that he thought Sonny Bill wasn't available and he had other commitments, I mean when you're chasing a player and you chase him properly, they should be talking to him now, the deadline isn't up yet, there was no reason for them to rush anything. I think it's the worst selection announcement I've ever heard in sport.
"I think Stephen Kearney's buggered it up. It's the responsibility of the coach to get who he wants. And if he's announced that, to me it says he doesn't want Sonny Bill."
While another former Kiwis coach Tony Kemp is less pointed in his criticism, he told Stuff.co.nz someone needs to be held accountable for the mess.
"Someone needs to be held accountable for this monumental stuff up," Kemp said."No one should ever be bigger than the game, and here is another credibility issue for rugby league purely based on the egos of a select few."
But the last word should be left to the poor parents of Harris, who had excitedly booked their tickets to the UK straight after their son's name had been read out in the original squad.
Residents of Hawkes Bay, Tohu's father Paul and mother Dale told the New Zealand Herald of their devastation after cancelling their flights over.
"Both of us were going to go and we're disappointed Tohu missed out," Paul said on Wednesday."We haven't had a chance to speak to Tohu yet because we have been working but we gather from what we've read in Storm press releases he is pretty disappointed too," Mr Harris said.
"Hopefully Tohu will make another World Cup tournament in the future. We're going to go to the Storm club's prizegiving as a consolation feel-good trip."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-world-cup-squad/story-fni3fbgz-1226736612319
- - - Updated - - -
SBW won't harm Kiwis culture: Kearney
AAP
7:02am Thu 10th October, 2013
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney doesn't expect Sonny Bill Williams' belated callup for the World Cup to impact negatively on team culture.
In fact, he's predicting the opposite.
Star second-rower Williams was shoehorned into the New Zealand squad on Wednesday at the expense of Melbourne Storm forward Tohu Harris, who was named in the original group the day before.
Kearney described his phone call to inform Harris as "difficult" but one that had to be made to include Williams, who had made a sudden backflip on his original decision to be unavailable for the Kiwis.
Kearney is adamant the other 23 players in the Kiwis squad will welcome Williams' inclusion.
If he believed otherwise, he would have rejected Williams' late bid which came in the wake of helping lead the Sydney Roosters to the NRL title.
"If I thought for one moment that Sonny was going to harm the culture that we have within the Kiwi group, the decision would have been easy and it would have been a no," Kearney told Radio LiveSport.
"I'm looking at the Roosters and watching how all of a sudden they've gone from finishing 13th (in 2012) to winning the grand final the following year.
"We only get a six-seven week window to get that from Sonny.
"This was an opportunity to really tap into what he can offer us off the field as well as what he brings in terms of his playing ability on the field."
Kearney says Williams' influence had clearly rubbed off positively on Roosters team-mates such as forwards Sam Moa, Frank-Paul Nu'uausala and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who are all in the Kiwis squad.
He says the ongoing success of the two-time Super Rugby champion Chiefs was also testament to the impact Williams had made there in 2012.
Kearney admits he was surprised when he listened to phone messages from Williams and his manager Khoder Nasser after landing in Brisbane on Tuesday.
He says a subsequent phone conversation with Williams made it clear the 28-year-old was genuine in his reasons to play for the Kiwis.
"I've had a pretty good relationship with Sonny for quite some time.
"I knew from the tone of his voice and how he was talking, what it meant to him. Sometimes you've got to act on your instinct and your gut feeling."
Kearney compared his phone call to Harris to the one he made to Benji Marshall earlier this year, when he informed the veteran playmaker he was losing the Kiwis captaincy.
"He (Harris) is a kid with wonderful character. He's a special young man and he took it as well as he could have."
http://www.nrl.com/sbw-wont-harm-kiwis-culture-kearney/tabid/10874/newsid/75044/default.aspx
- - - Updated - - -
Kangaroos face medical tests ahead of Cup
AAP
9:00am Thu 10th October, 2013
The Kangaroos are due to gather for medical tests on Thursday ahead of the Rugby League World Cup.
The squad will hold a training session on Sunday before flying out on Monday.
Just three players who turned out in Sunday's NRL grand final between Sydney Roosters and Manly were named in Australia's 24-man squad to contest the World Cup with the premiers supplying two in uncapped Boyd Cordner and Michael Jennings while Clive Churchill medallist Daly Cherry-Evans is Manly's sole representative.
Of the Roosters who were up for selection, only halves Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney would have entered discussions, but selectors opted to stick with Queensland trio Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cherry-Evans.
The lack of Sea Eagles in the squad is mainly due to injury and lack of interest, with Jamie Lyon - who would have been an automatic selection - having quit representative footy and Anthony Watmough and the Stewart brothers all ruled out with injury.
http://www.nrl.com/kangaroos-face-medical-tests-ahead-of-cup/tabid/10874/newsid/75043/default.aspx
- BEN GLOVER
- FOX SPORTS
- OCTOBER 10, 2013 10:10AM
BEST player in the world or not, Sonny Bill Williams has created a fire storm in his homeland after his backflip on his decision to skip the Rugby League World Cup.
With Melbourne Storm backrower Tohu Harris dumped from the New Zealand squad to accommodate the bend in the breeze whim of rugby-bound Williams, the New Zealand press has gone into overdrive to condemn the whole sorry mess.
While Harris has handled the matter with tremendous poise and restraint, New Zealand Herald columnist Chris Rattue believes the Storm rising star should thumb his nose at his national jersey until the current administration is flushed out.
"This is a day of shame for Kiwis league. In my view, the most reprehensible New Zealand sporting decision was the Olympic committee's selection of child killer Soulan Pownceby, a manipulative scumbag of the highest order, but this SBW/Harris situation is a terrific candidate for the distant silver," Rattue writes.
And according to Rattue, the manner in which the decision was played out is likely to demoralise the defending World Champions, whose greatest strength is their team spirit.
I'm really sorry about the Tohu situation it was never my intention I just followed my heart, now i promise ill play with all of it. #Kiwis— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) October 9, 2013
"When a player is given every chance to indicate availability with no extenuating circumstances, don't name another bloke without provisos and then blade him. I believe that is unforgivable, on a moral level, and also in building integrity and camaraderie within a squad.
"Even the playing brotherhood might know that a code of honour has been shattered. The Kiwis won the 2008 title on spirit and without SBW, who walked out on them in the World Cup year. The next time Kearney looks his players in the eye, and tells them they need to stick together through thick and thin ... well, they could ask for a sick bucket."
While the finger of blame is being pointed roughshod at Sonny Bill and the New Zealand Rugby League, former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe believes it's Stephen Kearney who needs to be held responsible.
"Stephen Kearney has created amateur hour," Lowe told Fox Sports News on Wednesday.
"To say that he thought Sonny Bill wasn't available and he had other commitments, I mean when you're chasing a player and you chase him properly, they should be talking to him now, the deadline isn't up yet, there was no reason for them to rush anything. I think it's the worst selection announcement I've ever heard in sport.
"I think Stephen Kearney's buggered it up. It's the responsibility of the coach to get who he wants. And if he's announced that, to me it says he doesn't want Sonny Bill."
While another former Kiwis coach Tony Kemp is less pointed in his criticism, he told Stuff.co.nz someone needs to be held accountable for the mess.
"Someone needs to be held accountable for this monumental stuff up," Kemp said."No one should ever be bigger than the game, and here is another credibility issue for rugby league purely based on the egos of a select few."
But the last word should be left to the poor parents of Harris, who had excitedly booked their tickets to the UK straight after their son's name had been read out in the original squad.
Residents of Hawkes Bay, Tohu's father Paul and mother Dale told the New Zealand Herald of their devastation after cancelling their flights over.
"Both of us were going to go and we're disappointed Tohu missed out," Paul said on Wednesday."We haven't had a chance to speak to Tohu yet because we have been working but we gather from what we've read in Storm press releases he is pretty disappointed too," Mr Harris said.
"Hopefully Tohu will make another World Cup tournament in the future. We're going to go to the Storm club's prizegiving as a consolation feel-good trip."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-world-cup-squad/story-fni3fbgz-1226736612319
- - - Updated - - -
SBW won't harm Kiwis culture: Kearney
AAP
7:02am Thu 10th October, 2013
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney doesn't expect Sonny Bill Williams' belated callup for the World Cup to impact negatively on team culture.
In fact, he's predicting the opposite.
Star second-rower Williams was shoehorned into the New Zealand squad on Wednesday at the expense of Melbourne Storm forward Tohu Harris, who was named in the original group the day before.
Kearney described his phone call to inform Harris as "difficult" but one that had to be made to include Williams, who had made a sudden backflip on his original decision to be unavailable for the Kiwis.
Kearney is adamant the other 23 players in the Kiwis squad will welcome Williams' inclusion.
If he believed otherwise, he would have rejected Williams' late bid which came in the wake of helping lead the Sydney Roosters to the NRL title.
"If I thought for one moment that Sonny was going to harm the culture that we have within the Kiwi group, the decision would have been easy and it would have been a no," Kearney told Radio LiveSport.
"I'm looking at the Roosters and watching how all of a sudden they've gone from finishing 13th (in 2012) to winning the grand final the following year.
"We only get a six-seven week window to get that from Sonny.
"This was an opportunity to really tap into what he can offer us off the field as well as what he brings in terms of his playing ability on the field."
Kearney says Williams' influence had clearly rubbed off positively on Roosters team-mates such as forwards Sam Moa, Frank-Paul Nu'uausala and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who are all in the Kiwis squad.
He says the ongoing success of the two-time Super Rugby champion Chiefs was also testament to the impact Williams had made there in 2012.
Kearney admits he was surprised when he listened to phone messages from Williams and his manager Khoder Nasser after landing in Brisbane on Tuesday.
He says a subsequent phone conversation with Williams made it clear the 28-year-old was genuine in his reasons to play for the Kiwis.
"I've had a pretty good relationship with Sonny for quite some time.
"I knew from the tone of his voice and how he was talking, what it meant to him. Sometimes you've got to act on your instinct and your gut feeling."
Kearney compared his phone call to Harris to the one he made to Benji Marshall earlier this year, when he informed the veteran playmaker he was losing the Kiwis captaincy.
"He (Harris) is a kid with wonderful character. He's a special young man and he took it as well as he could have."
http://www.nrl.com/sbw-wont-harm-kiwis-culture-kearney/tabid/10874/newsid/75044/default.aspx
- - - Updated - - -
Kangaroos face medical tests ahead of Cup
AAP
9:00am Thu 10th October, 2013
The Kangaroos are due to gather for medical tests on Thursday ahead of the Rugby League World Cup.
The squad will hold a training session on Sunday before flying out on Monday.
Just three players who turned out in Sunday's NRL grand final between Sydney Roosters and Manly were named in Australia's 24-man squad to contest the World Cup with the premiers supplying two in uncapped Boyd Cordner and Michael Jennings while Clive Churchill medallist Daly Cherry-Evans is Manly's sole representative.
Of the Roosters who were up for selection, only halves Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney would have entered discussions, but selectors opted to stick with Queensland trio Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cherry-Evans.
The lack of Sea Eagles in the squad is mainly due to injury and lack of interest, with Jamie Lyon - who would have been an automatic selection - having quit representative footy and Anthony Watmough and the Stewart brothers all ruled out with injury.
http://www.nrl.com/kangaroos-face-medical-tests-ahead-of-cup/tabid/10874/newsid/75043/default.aspx
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Hey guys these are the full 24 man squads for all the countries competing in the World Cup http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/24-man-squads-for-rlwc2013-announced-11300/
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Sonny Bill Williams apologises after Tohu Harris is sacrificed to allow Roosters star to join the New Zealand squad
SONNY Bill Williams tweeted Wednesday he wanted to play the rugby league World Cup to help his New Zealand "brothers". Tohu Harris mustn't be part of the family.
Harris was a World Cup hero for just 24 hours.The Melbourne Storm forward has been dumped from the 24-man Kiwi squad for the late inclusion of Williams, the Sydney Roosters superstar.Harris had celebrated his selection on Tuesday, only to be left "bitterly disappointed" Wednesday when axed.
Williams apologised Wednesday night over the Harris situation, saying it was "never my intention".
He then expanded on his apology in an interview with BBC World Service, admitting his decision to make himself available for the World Cup after the New Zealand squad had been named was "selfish".
"I'm sorry for taking someone else's spot," Williams said. "I actually feel like ****, to tell you the truth."When I spoke to Stephen Kearney my body was sore and tired.
"I've not had a rest since 2008 and thought I could go on a vacation with my family but I made a rash decision without thinking about it."Afterwards I thought what I would miss out on and remembered how bad I felt in 2008.
"I couldn't look at myself in the mirror so I had to make the phone call and say I was available.
"I guess it took 24 hours and the team to be named for it to sink in. But a gut feeling … in 10 years would I have regrets about not making myself available? I've got a lot of time after I'm retired. It can be played off as selfish, but I just left it in the coach's hands.
"Now that I'm there, don't expect anything other than a full-hearted performance."
Kiwi selector Richie Barnett said Williams had "disrespected" his teammates while New Zealand legend Hugh McGahan told The Daily Telegraph that Harris would be "shattered".
"Twenty-four hours ago he was telephoned by Steve Kearney and congratulated," McGahan said. "He probably celebrated and told his family, who may even have booked tickets to fly over."Now they will say, ‘Sorry, mate, you’re out.’
"How is he to feel? I don’t know what would be going through his head."It would be really tough and disappointing. But it’s not the fault of the NZRL."From a New Zealand rugby league point of view, I’m glad Sonny Bill is going. But what could have changed his mind in the past 24 hours?"
Harris, 21, has rejected an offer from the NZRL to travel with the team to England for the tournament. He will remain on standby to cover for injury.Harris said: “As you would expect, I’m very disappointed not to be heading to the World Cup to represent my country, New Zealand."
Asked about his Storm teammate's omission from the New Zealand squad on Thursday, Cameron Smith attempted to remain diplomatic, while conceding that Harris would be shattered.
"I think it's great that Sonny is playing in the World Cup. There's been a bit of talk about his selection but, as far as we're concerned, we just have to worry about ourselves," Smith told a press conference."I feel disappointed for Tohu on being withdrawn from their squad.
"He's going to be extremely disappointed. He's had a terrific season for us at Melbourne."He played for a few minutes in the Test at Canberra and he did well. But he is a young guy and will bounce back."But the New Zealand selectors have made their decision and it has nothing to do with us.
"But I completely understand their decision, he is a terrific player and it shows how badly they want to win this tournament."
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy added: "Obviously it’s hard on him. He was in the team and then out in 24 hours."But that is the decision the Kiwis have come to and nothing can change that now."
Williams declared his availability 24 hours after initially telling the NZRL he wouldn’t tour.New Zealand will have a training base in France, where Williams is well known due to his rugby union stint with Toulon.
The grand final-winning forward took to Twitter on Wednesday to explain his decision."After a few tough seasons topped with an amazing one with the boys at the Roosters, I was faced with the opportunity to have a long awaited break and go on holiday with my family,” Williams said.
“Without thinking the whole situation through thoroughly, I eagerly jumped at the chance to chill out and rest.“After having some time to really think about how much representing my country means to me, I decided then to put my name forward for selection.
“Now I know the squad is already picked and I can understand if I can’t be a part of it but I’m here and ready to help my brothers if they want me.”Barnett told Fox Sports on Wednesday that Williams’ inclusion would help New Zealand’s bid for the World Cup.
"(Harris) now has to be exited out of the squad. My feelings on that is that it is not a nice thing to do,” Barnett said.“Probably in some way he (Williams) has probably disrespected (the Kiwi squad) and we’ve just got to cop it on the head.“Now it’s a hard decision to make but at the end of the day we are here to win a World Cup, not to please people on moralistic grounds.’’
Kiwi coach Steve Kearney, aware of Williams' stunning ability, had little choice but to cut Harris.
“Late on Tuesday, Sonny Bill Williams expressed his desire to play for the Kiwis in the Rugby League World Cup,’’ Kearney said.
‘’Our thinking had always been that if Sonny was available, he would be part of the team. We are now exploring options around Sonny’s possible inclusion in the tournament. This would require ratification by the World Cup organisers.”
The World Cup committee is delighted Williams will play, given his immense pulling power. New Zealand has tightened from $6 into $4.25 to win the event, according to TAB.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ew-zealand-squad/story-fni3fbgz-1226735239353
- DEAN RITCHIE
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 10, 2013 3:28PM
SONNY Bill Williams tweeted Wednesday he wanted to play the rugby league World Cup to help his New Zealand "brothers". Tohu Harris mustn't be part of the family.
Harris was a World Cup hero for just 24 hours.The Melbourne Storm forward has been dumped from the 24-man Kiwi squad for the late inclusion of Williams, the Sydney Roosters superstar.Harris had celebrated his selection on Tuesday, only to be left "bitterly disappointed" Wednesday when axed.
Williams apologised Wednesday night over the Harris situation, saying it was "never my intention".
He then expanded on his apology in an interview with BBC World Service, admitting his decision to make himself available for the World Cup after the New Zealand squad had been named was "selfish".
"I'm sorry for taking someone else's spot," Williams said. "I actually feel like ****, to tell you the truth."When I spoke to Stephen Kearney my body was sore and tired.
"I've not had a rest since 2008 and thought I could go on a vacation with my family but I made a rash decision without thinking about it."Afterwards I thought what I would miss out on and remembered how bad I felt in 2008.
"I couldn't look at myself in the mirror so I had to make the phone call and say I was available.
"I guess it took 24 hours and the team to be named for it to sink in. But a gut feeling … in 10 years would I have regrets about not making myself available? I've got a lot of time after I'm retired. It can be played off as selfish, but I just left it in the coach's hands.
"Now that I'm there, don't expect anything other than a full-hearted performance."
Kiwi selector Richie Barnett said Williams had "disrespected" his teammates while New Zealand legend Hugh McGahan told The Daily Telegraph that Harris would be "shattered".
"Twenty-four hours ago he was telephoned by Steve Kearney and congratulated," McGahan said. "He probably celebrated and told his family, who may even have booked tickets to fly over."Now they will say, ‘Sorry, mate, you’re out.’
"How is he to feel? I don’t know what would be going through his head."It would be really tough and disappointing. But it’s not the fault of the NZRL."From a New Zealand rugby league point of view, I’m glad Sonny Bill is going. But what could have changed his mind in the past 24 hours?"
Harris, 21, has rejected an offer from the NZRL to travel with the team to England for the tournament. He will remain on standby to cover for injury.Harris said: “As you would expect, I’m very disappointed not to be heading to the World Cup to represent my country, New Zealand."
Asked about his Storm teammate's omission from the New Zealand squad on Thursday, Cameron Smith attempted to remain diplomatic, while conceding that Harris would be shattered.
"I think it's great that Sonny is playing in the World Cup. There's been a bit of talk about his selection but, as far as we're concerned, we just have to worry about ourselves," Smith told a press conference."I feel disappointed for Tohu on being withdrawn from their squad.
"He's going to be extremely disappointed. He's had a terrific season for us at Melbourne."He played for a few minutes in the Test at Canberra and he did well. But he is a young guy and will bounce back."But the New Zealand selectors have made their decision and it has nothing to do with us.
"But I completely understand their decision, he is a terrific player and it shows how badly they want to win this tournament."
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy added: "Obviously it’s hard on him. He was in the team and then out in 24 hours."But that is the decision the Kiwis have come to and nothing can change that now."
Williams declared his availability 24 hours after initially telling the NZRL he wouldn’t tour.New Zealand will have a training base in France, where Williams is well known due to his rugby union stint with Toulon.
The grand final-winning forward took to Twitter on Wednesday to explain his decision."After a few tough seasons topped with an amazing one with the boys at the Roosters, I was faced with the opportunity to have a long awaited break and go on holiday with my family,” Williams said.
“Without thinking the whole situation through thoroughly, I eagerly jumped at the chance to chill out and rest.“After having some time to really think about how much representing my country means to me, I decided then to put my name forward for selection.
“Now I know the squad is already picked and I can understand if I can’t be a part of it but I’m here and ready to help my brothers if they want me.”Barnett told Fox Sports on Wednesday that Williams’ inclusion would help New Zealand’s bid for the World Cup.
"(Harris) now has to be exited out of the squad. My feelings on that is that it is not a nice thing to do,” Barnett said.“Probably in some way he (Williams) has probably disrespected (the Kiwi squad) and we’ve just got to cop it on the head.“Now it’s a hard decision to make but at the end of the day we are here to win a World Cup, not to please people on moralistic grounds.’’
Kiwi coach Steve Kearney, aware of Williams' stunning ability, had little choice but to cut Harris.
“Late on Tuesday, Sonny Bill Williams expressed his desire to play for the Kiwis in the Rugby League World Cup,’’ Kearney said.
‘’Our thinking had always been that if Sonny was available, he would be part of the team. We are now exploring options around Sonny’s possible inclusion in the tournament. This would require ratification by the World Cup organisers.”
The World Cup committee is delighted Williams will play, given his immense pulling power. New Zealand has tightened from $6 into $4.25 to win the event, according to TAB.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ew-zealand-squad/story-fni3fbgz-1226735239353
Last edited:
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Kangaroos' Josh Papalii starstruck by Sonny Bill Williams
HE is the starstruck Kangaroo who asked Sonny Bill Williams to pose for a photograph with him when Canberra played the Sydney Roosters earlier this year.
Now Josh Papalii could stand between the Kiwi superstar and Williams’ dream of adding a Rugby League World Cup to the one he won in rugby union with the All Blacks.
“To be honest growing up watching Sonny Bill was pretty awesome but actually seeing him in real life was pretty awesome, too," the 21-year-old Test bolter revealed.
“He was my favourite player back in the day, still is probably.“I’ve seen him in person once. I asked him for a photo before the Roosters game.“It was pretty wrong of me. I got starstruck. He actually said my name, I was shocked. It was actually pretty cool, man.’’
It’s been that kind of year for the young Auckland-born Queenslander who made headlines late last year when he pledged his allegiance to Australia despite signing a letter of intent to play for New Zealand.
Papalii, one of three debutants picked for the tour alongside Boyd Cordner and Andrew Fifita, looked like a young man who had just struck gold Thursday as he talked up his family’s story.
How his parents brought him and his brother to Australia as young boys for a better life - and how rugby league changed everything for all of them along the way.
This is why he has no regrets about choosing Australia over his homeland.“We weren’t gifted with the financial side of life and playing footy is my career now,’’ he explained.
“I guess just giving back to my parents and just everything they have done for me.
“I was born in New Zealand but came to Australia as a young boy.“I didn’t play footy in New Zealand. I played all my footy in Logan (in Brisbane). I grew up in Queensland and I thought I owed the people and the state something.
“I’m 100 per cent Queenslander and I’ll stick by that - and the haters will be my motivation.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ny-bill-williams/story-fni3fbgz-1226737054425
- - - Updated - - -
Sonny Bill Williams' World Cup backflip costs Melbourne Storm forward Tohu Harris $70,000
SONNY Bill Williams' last-second decision to represent New Zealand at the World Cup could potentially cost Melbourne Storm rookie Tohu Harris up to $70,000
The Daily Telegraph has been told NRL-based Kiwi players are to be paid handsomely for contesting the World Cup in England, which kicks off on October 26.
New Zealand players will collect a cool $50,000 if they retain the World Cup, $40,000 for running second and $30,000 by finishing third.
NRL club contracts state a player selected for Test football could receive a one-off payment of $20,000.Harris though will miss the World Cup cash bonanza after being dumped from the New Zealand squad on Wednesday when Williams suddenly declared his availability.
Williams, conversely, has pocketed millions of dollars from rugby league.
Some suggest he should hand some of his World Cup earnings over to Harris.It is understood Harris is on an annual wage at Melbourne of between $120,000 to $150,000.
“I don’t have a position on this and it would only antagonise the situation,’’ said Andrew Purcell, Harris’ manager.“But I’m upset for him. I get upset when my players are upset.“But he (Harris) has gotten over it - that shows the strength of the bloke.
“He’s fine. He has made a statement and now wants to take some time off before getting back into training.’’Williams took to Twitter on Wednesday night to apologise to Harris.
“I’m really sorry about the Tohu situation, it was never my intention. I just followed my heart, now I promise I’ll play with all of it. #Kiwis,’’ he wrote.
The heartbroken parents of Harris said they had actually booked flights to England to watch their son play.Harris’ dad Paul and mum Dale were then forced to cancel the trip.“Both of us were going to go and we’re disappointed Tohu missed out,’’ Paul Harris told theNew Zealand Herald.
“Hopefully Tohu will make another World Cup tournament in the future."We’re going to go to the Storm club’s prizegiving as a consolation, feel-good trip.’
"The rugby league community remains split over Williams’ decision.Many argue he will add considerably to the World Cup’s profile, others suggest it was another show of arrogance.
Former New Zealand, Wigan, Queensland and Manly coach Graham Lowe took aim at Kiwi coach Steve Kearney.“He created amateur hour,’’ Lowe told Fox Sports.“I think Stephen Kearney’s buggered it up.
“To say that he thought Sonny Bill wasn’t available and he had other commitments, I mean when you’re chasing a player and you chase him properly ... there was no reason for them to rush anything.
‘’I think it’s the worst selection announcement I’ve ever heard in sport.’’Harris could not be contacted Thursday.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ohu-harris-70000/story-fni3gpfg-1226737411892
- - - Updated - - -
Kangaroos reminded how to sing national team song amid Queensland controversy
THE Kangaroos were reminded about the lyrics to their official team song at this year's ANZAC Test, following the 2012 fiasco that saw Queensland players hijack celebrations with their own ditty.
The first gathering of Australia’s 24-man World Cup squad at Allianz Stadium on Thursday attracted plenty of questions about a much talked about split along state lines.
While they acknowledged hatred was rife during the Origin series, players from both sides of the Tweed promised that no residual ill-feeling would contaminate the six-week campaign.
But just to make sure everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet, Australian team officials brought a banner spelling out the words to the official team song,
"We Are the Aussie Boys," to their most recent clash against the Kiwis in Canberra.Prop James Tamou felt the move was in response to the controversy that erupted in Townsville a year ago, after Queensland-bred players belted out their “Yi Yi Yippee Yippee Yi” victory song to the bemusement of their teammates.
“I still remember that time - it definitely won’t happen again,” said the Blues bookend, who was making just his second appearance in the green and gold at the time.“We (the NSW players) didn’t physically go up to them and put the finger in the face and say, ‘Don’t do this or that.'
“It’s something that we’ve just got to come together for. We’re representing our country, we are a team now.
“We’ve got our own song for the Australian team that we’ll be singing now, I think they brought that in purposely.”
While Tamou believed the Canberra song was new, a spokesman for the Kangaroos later confirmed it was the same one that had been used for many years.
However, a banner was unfurled with the lyrics in the winning dressingroom to remind all players what they were meant to be singing.
Straight shooting lock Greg Bird didn’t attempt to hide his feelings about the Queensland ambush during the Origin series, claiming there was tension between players from different states.
Bird’s comments supported anecdotes about Queensland and NSW players eating breakfast at different tables on past tours.
However, a healthy mix of top stars including skipper Cameron Smith, vice captain Paul Gallen, Johnathan Thurston, Luke Lewis, Cooper Cronk, Robbie Farah, Josh Morris and Bird were happily drinking together after last week’s Dally M ceremony at The Star.
“They were cheeky comments made through the Origin period when hatred is at its peak,” Bird said Thursday.“When I come up against Gal (Gallen), I hate him. When I’m playing with him he’s one of my best mates.
“We have that respect for each other that you might not have coming up against each other.“I did make a few cheeky comments but a lot of it was exaggerated when pen went to paper.
“I can’t imagine there would be too much of a divide. In the past there’s been no divide.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...land-controversy/story-fni3fbgz-1226736979348
- PAUL CRAWLEY
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 11, 2013 12:00AM
HE is the starstruck Kangaroo who asked Sonny Bill Williams to pose for a photograph with him when Canberra played the Sydney Roosters earlier this year.
Now Josh Papalii could stand between the Kiwi superstar and Williams’ dream of adding a Rugby League World Cup to the one he won in rugby union with the All Blacks.
“To be honest growing up watching Sonny Bill was pretty awesome but actually seeing him in real life was pretty awesome, too," the 21-year-old Test bolter revealed.
“He was my favourite player back in the day, still is probably.“I’ve seen him in person once. I asked him for a photo before the Roosters game.“It was pretty wrong of me. I got starstruck. He actually said my name, I was shocked. It was actually pretty cool, man.’’
It’s been that kind of year for the young Auckland-born Queenslander who made headlines late last year when he pledged his allegiance to Australia despite signing a letter of intent to play for New Zealand.
Papalii, one of three debutants picked for the tour alongside Boyd Cordner and Andrew Fifita, looked like a young man who had just struck gold Thursday as he talked up his family’s story.
How his parents brought him and his brother to Australia as young boys for a better life - and how rugby league changed everything for all of them along the way.
This is why he has no regrets about choosing Australia over his homeland.“We weren’t gifted with the financial side of life and playing footy is my career now,’’ he explained.
“I guess just giving back to my parents and just everything they have done for me.
“I was born in New Zealand but came to Australia as a young boy.“I didn’t play footy in New Zealand. I played all my footy in Logan (in Brisbane). I grew up in Queensland and I thought I owed the people and the state something.
“I’m 100 per cent Queenslander and I’ll stick by that - and the haters will be my motivation.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ny-bill-williams/story-fni3fbgz-1226737054425
- - - Updated - - -
Sonny Bill Williams' World Cup backflip costs Melbourne Storm forward Tohu Harris $70,000
- DEAN RITCHIE
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 11, 2013 12:00AM
SONNY Bill Williams' last-second decision to represent New Zealand at the World Cup could potentially cost Melbourne Storm rookie Tohu Harris up to $70,000
The Daily Telegraph has been told NRL-based Kiwi players are to be paid handsomely for contesting the World Cup in England, which kicks off on October 26.
New Zealand players will collect a cool $50,000 if they retain the World Cup, $40,000 for running second and $30,000 by finishing third.
NRL club contracts state a player selected for Test football could receive a one-off payment of $20,000.Harris though will miss the World Cup cash bonanza after being dumped from the New Zealand squad on Wednesday when Williams suddenly declared his availability.
Williams, conversely, has pocketed millions of dollars from rugby league.
Some suggest he should hand some of his World Cup earnings over to Harris.It is understood Harris is on an annual wage at Melbourne of between $120,000 to $150,000.
“I don’t have a position on this and it would only antagonise the situation,’’ said Andrew Purcell, Harris’ manager.“But I’m upset for him. I get upset when my players are upset.“But he (Harris) has gotten over it - that shows the strength of the bloke.
“He’s fine. He has made a statement and now wants to take some time off before getting back into training.’’Williams took to Twitter on Wednesday night to apologise to Harris.
“I’m really sorry about the Tohu situation, it was never my intention. I just followed my heart, now I promise I’ll play with all of it. #Kiwis,’’ he wrote.
The heartbroken parents of Harris said they had actually booked flights to England to watch their son play.Harris’ dad Paul and mum Dale were then forced to cancel the trip.“Both of us were going to go and we’re disappointed Tohu missed out,’’ Paul Harris told theNew Zealand Herald.
“Hopefully Tohu will make another World Cup tournament in the future."We’re going to go to the Storm club’s prizegiving as a consolation, feel-good trip.’
"The rugby league community remains split over Williams’ decision.Many argue he will add considerably to the World Cup’s profile, others suggest it was another show of arrogance.
Former New Zealand, Wigan, Queensland and Manly coach Graham Lowe took aim at Kiwi coach Steve Kearney.“He created amateur hour,’’ Lowe told Fox Sports.“I think Stephen Kearney’s buggered it up.
“To say that he thought Sonny Bill wasn’t available and he had other commitments, I mean when you’re chasing a player and you chase him properly ... there was no reason for them to rush anything.
‘’I think it’s the worst selection announcement I’ve ever heard in sport.’’Harris could not be contacted Thursday.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ohu-harris-70000/story-fni3gpfg-1226737411892
- - - Updated - - -
Kangaroos reminded how to sing national team song amid Queensland controversy
- JOSH MASSOUD
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 11, 2013 12:00AM
THE Kangaroos were reminded about the lyrics to their official team song at this year's ANZAC Test, following the 2012 fiasco that saw Queensland players hijack celebrations with their own ditty.
The first gathering of Australia’s 24-man World Cup squad at Allianz Stadium on Thursday attracted plenty of questions about a much talked about split along state lines.
While they acknowledged hatred was rife during the Origin series, players from both sides of the Tweed promised that no residual ill-feeling would contaminate the six-week campaign.
But just to make sure everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet, Australian team officials brought a banner spelling out the words to the official team song,
"We Are the Aussie Boys," to their most recent clash against the Kiwis in Canberra.Prop James Tamou felt the move was in response to the controversy that erupted in Townsville a year ago, after Queensland-bred players belted out their “Yi Yi Yippee Yippee Yi” victory song to the bemusement of their teammates.
“I still remember that time - it definitely won’t happen again,” said the Blues bookend, who was making just his second appearance in the green and gold at the time.“We (the NSW players) didn’t physically go up to them and put the finger in the face and say, ‘Don’t do this or that.'
“It’s something that we’ve just got to come together for. We’re representing our country, we are a team now.
“We’ve got our own song for the Australian team that we’ll be singing now, I think they brought that in purposely.”
While Tamou believed the Canberra song was new, a spokesman for the Kangaroos later confirmed it was the same one that had been used for many years.
However, a banner was unfurled with the lyrics in the winning dressingroom to remind all players what they were meant to be singing.
Straight shooting lock Greg Bird didn’t attempt to hide his feelings about the Queensland ambush during the Origin series, claiming there was tension between players from different states.
Bird’s comments supported anecdotes about Queensland and NSW players eating breakfast at different tables on past tours.
However, a healthy mix of top stars including skipper Cameron Smith, vice captain Paul Gallen, Johnathan Thurston, Luke Lewis, Cooper Cronk, Robbie Farah, Josh Morris and Bird were happily drinking together after last week’s Dally M ceremony at The Star.
“They were cheeky comments made through the Origin period when hatred is at its peak,” Bird said Thursday.“When I come up against Gal (Gallen), I hate him. When I’m playing with him he’s one of my best mates.
“We have that respect for each other that you might not have coming up against each other.“I did make a few cheeky comments but a lot of it was exaggerated when pen went to paper.
“I can’t imagine there would be too much of a divide. In the past there’s been no divide.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...land-controversy/story-fni3fbgz-1226736979348
Last edited:
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Kangaroos' Tate ready for best ever RLWC
By Ian McCullough
AAP
4:10pm Fri 11th October, 2013
Australian centre Brent Tate believes the Rugby League World Cup starting this month will be the toughest in the competition's history.
More than 120 top-line NRL players will be in action in the 16-team tournament that kicks-off on October 26 when the Kangaroos take on England at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
And North Queensland star Tate said Sonny Bill Williams' u-turn decision to play for defending champions New Zealand only added to the tournament's lustre although it could spell trouble for Australia's bid to reclaim the trophy they once dominated.
"As a fan it's great that he's playing, but not as a player. But it shows how seriously everyone is taking this World Cup," Tate told AAP.
"It's a big challenge for us. It's over there in England in their conditions and their team now has plenty of NRL experience and Sonny going to the Kiwis is going to lift them immensely.
"You be foolish to think you can just turn up and win.
"I think it's going to the best World Cup rugby league has seen."
Tim Sheens' side will face an England side containing three of South Sydney's Burgess brothers, Canterbury's player of the year James Graham in addition to Sam Tomkins and Lee Mossop, who are joining the Warriors and Parramatta respectively next year.
But Tate warned attention must be paid to Tonga and Samoa who have a host of quality NRL players in their line ups.
Tonga will have Manly's Jorge Taufua and Brent Kite in their side in addition to Sydney Roosters grand final hero Daniel Tupou with Samoa likely to field South Sydney prop Roy Asotasi and Canberra excitement machine Anthony Milford.
"When you look at all the developing nations like Tonga and Samoa they have some real good players.
"Then you have England with the Burgess brothers and New Zealand with all their players it is going to be a real challenge for us."
Tate, who was part of the squad that lost to the Kiwis in the 2008 final in Brisbane, admits he never thought he'd get the chance to pull on the green and gold jersey again after undergoing a third knee reconstruction in 2010.
The Queensland centre tore his anterior cruciate ligaments in the Four Nations final defeat to New Zealand but has recovered well to reclaim his spot in the international side.
"Thinking back to 2008 I didn't even think I'd be playing rugby league in 2013," he said.
"I missed the last final through injury but I remember the feeling I had for a couple of months after, it was pretty bad.
"I must admit after that injury I didn't know the future held for me.
"But now I am back and I am desperate to be part of a team that brings the World Cup back to Australia."
http://www.nrl.com/kangaroos-tate-ready-for-best-ever-rlwc/tabid/10874/newsid/75059/default.aspx
By Ian McCullough
AAP
4:10pm Fri 11th October, 2013
Australian centre Brent Tate believes the Rugby League World Cup starting this month will be the toughest in the competition's history.
More than 120 top-line NRL players will be in action in the 16-team tournament that kicks-off on October 26 when the Kangaroos take on England at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
And North Queensland star Tate said Sonny Bill Williams' u-turn decision to play for defending champions New Zealand only added to the tournament's lustre although it could spell trouble for Australia's bid to reclaim the trophy they once dominated.
"As a fan it's great that he's playing, but not as a player. But it shows how seriously everyone is taking this World Cup," Tate told AAP.
"It's a big challenge for us. It's over there in England in their conditions and their team now has plenty of NRL experience and Sonny going to the Kiwis is going to lift them immensely.
"You be foolish to think you can just turn up and win.
"I think it's going to the best World Cup rugby league has seen."
Tim Sheens' side will face an England side containing three of South Sydney's Burgess brothers, Canterbury's player of the year James Graham in addition to Sam Tomkins and Lee Mossop, who are joining the Warriors and Parramatta respectively next year.
But Tate warned attention must be paid to Tonga and Samoa who have a host of quality NRL players in their line ups.
Tonga will have Manly's Jorge Taufua and Brent Kite in their side in addition to Sydney Roosters grand final hero Daniel Tupou with Samoa likely to field South Sydney prop Roy Asotasi and Canberra excitement machine Anthony Milford.
"When you look at all the developing nations like Tonga and Samoa they have some real good players.
"Then you have England with the Burgess brothers and New Zealand with all their players it is going to be a real challenge for us."
Tate, who was part of the squad that lost to the Kiwis in the 2008 final in Brisbane, admits he never thought he'd get the chance to pull on the green and gold jersey again after undergoing a third knee reconstruction in 2010.
The Queensland centre tore his anterior cruciate ligaments in the Four Nations final defeat to New Zealand but has recovered well to reclaim his spot in the international side.
"Thinking back to 2008 I didn't even think I'd be playing rugby league in 2013," he said.
"I missed the last final through injury but I remember the feeling I had for a couple of months after, it was pretty bad.
"I must admit after that injury I didn't know the future held for me.
"But now I am back and I am desperate to be part of a team that brings the World Cup back to Australia."
http://www.nrl.com/kangaroos-tate-ready-for-best-ever-rlwc/tabid/10874/newsid/75059/default.aspx
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Greg Inglis ignores pain to represent Australia at the Rugby League World Cup
GREG Inglis finished the season running on one leg but he was never going to pull out of the World Cup - the green and gold jumper means too much to him.
Inglis knows there will be pain from the knee injury he has carried since State of Origin III and he will have to nurse it through Australia’s seven-week campaign.But he says it is something he is prepared to put up with to be part of an Australian team desperate to reclaim their place at the top of international rugby league.
After Souths' heartbreaking end to the NRL season, Inglis on Thursday opened up for the first time about the ongoing pain that limited his powerful running game over the final weeks of the year.
Asked if the injury hampered his impact, especially with his running game, the Rabbitohs superstar conceded: "I probably wasn’t (running at my best).
"When you have a PCL you just have to get used to the feeling back in your knee."You’ve got to get used to the bumps and bruises that you get."I felt things in there that I haven’t felt before.
"But over a few weeks I started to get the same niggles and I knew what it was and just kept going on with it.’’While his defence was outstanding, there’s no question Inglis wasn’t running with near the same venom over the final rounds.
But he said at no stage did he even think of pulling out of the World Cup tour.Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens said he had gotten in contact with Souths coach Michael Maguire to check on Inglis’ availability and Maguire told him the giant Queenslander was dead keen to take his place on the tour.
Inglis added Thursday: "You’ve got to remember this is the highest accolade you can get playing this sport."I love representing Australia and I love going away and I love spending time with these boys. Just wearing the green and gold.’’
The Kangaroos fly out for England on Monday with the final to be held in Manchester on November 30.If all goes according to plan, Inglis will be going head-to-head against Sonny Bill Williams in that final game of the tournament.
Inglis plays centre on Australia’s left edge and Williams will most likely be lining up on New Zealand’s right side in the back-row.It’s a potential blockbuster between arguably the two biggest superstars in the game.
Inglis said it was exciting to see Sonny Bill pledge his support to the World Cup - and he was reluctant to be drawn into the debate surrounding Tohu Harris’ controversial dumping from the Kiwi squad.
"(Sonny Bill) is definitely a big impact for them,’’ Inglis said."It’s unlucky that Tohu Harris had to withdraw from it but in the end that is what they have got to do."They see fit for what is best for the team.’’
Asked if it was the right thing to do, Inglis added: "That’s their decision and the best person to ask that is Tohu Harris.’’But there was no mistaking the motivation that drives the Aussies.
"Obviously it still hurts and the Kiwis have all the bragging rights in the world,’ he said in relation to their last World Cup defeat."They are the champions and they have won it twice, in England and in Australia."So hopefully we can go over and walk away with it but it’s not going to be easy.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...league-world-cup/story-fni3fbgz-1226737010468
- PAUL CRAWLEY
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 11, 2013 12:00AM
GREG Inglis finished the season running on one leg but he was never going to pull out of the World Cup - the green and gold jumper means too much to him.
Inglis knows there will be pain from the knee injury he has carried since State of Origin III and he will have to nurse it through Australia’s seven-week campaign.But he says it is something he is prepared to put up with to be part of an Australian team desperate to reclaim their place at the top of international rugby league.
After Souths' heartbreaking end to the NRL season, Inglis on Thursday opened up for the first time about the ongoing pain that limited his powerful running game over the final weeks of the year.
Asked if the injury hampered his impact, especially with his running game, the Rabbitohs superstar conceded: "I probably wasn’t (running at my best).
"When you have a PCL you just have to get used to the feeling back in your knee."You’ve got to get used to the bumps and bruises that you get."I felt things in there that I haven’t felt before.
"But over a few weeks I started to get the same niggles and I knew what it was and just kept going on with it.’’While his defence was outstanding, there’s no question Inglis wasn’t running with near the same venom over the final rounds.
But he said at no stage did he even think of pulling out of the World Cup tour.Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens said he had gotten in contact with Souths coach Michael Maguire to check on Inglis’ availability and Maguire told him the giant Queenslander was dead keen to take his place on the tour.
Inglis added Thursday: "You’ve got to remember this is the highest accolade you can get playing this sport."I love representing Australia and I love going away and I love spending time with these boys. Just wearing the green and gold.’’
The Kangaroos fly out for England on Monday with the final to be held in Manchester on November 30.If all goes according to plan, Inglis will be going head-to-head against Sonny Bill Williams in that final game of the tournament.
Inglis plays centre on Australia’s left edge and Williams will most likely be lining up on New Zealand’s right side in the back-row.It’s a potential blockbuster between arguably the two biggest superstars in the game.
Inglis said it was exciting to see Sonny Bill pledge his support to the World Cup - and he was reluctant to be drawn into the debate surrounding Tohu Harris’ controversial dumping from the Kiwi squad.
"(Sonny Bill) is definitely a big impact for them,’’ Inglis said."It’s unlucky that Tohu Harris had to withdraw from it but in the end that is what they have got to do."They see fit for what is best for the team.’’
Asked if it was the right thing to do, Inglis added: "That’s their decision and the best person to ask that is Tohu Harris.’’But there was no mistaking the motivation that drives the Aussies.
"Obviously it still hurts and the Kiwis have all the bragging rights in the world,’ he said in relation to their last World Cup defeat."They are the champions and they have won it twice, in England and in Australia."So hopefully we can go over and walk away with it but it’s not going to be easy.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...league-world-cup/story-fni3fbgz-1226737010468
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
SBW: I offered to quit Kiwis
By Ian McCullough
AAP
1:07pm Sun 13th October, 2013
Sonny Bill Williams says he told New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney he'd drop out of the Rugby League World Cup squad if it appeared his u-turn on selection would hurt team harmony.
Williams set the record straight on several issues on Sunday, confirming he plans to return to rugby union in New Zealand in 2015 ahead of the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup title defence after completing a second season with NRL premiers the Sydney Roosters next year.
He will also put his boxing career on hold to focus on getting to the Olympics with the New Zealand rugby sevens side in Rio in 2016 - "I won't have the time to box in the next three years".
Williams was criticised heavily this week when he changed his mind and made himself available for the Kiwis' Rugby League's World Cup title defence starting this month hours after initially ruling himself out of the tournament.
His decision meant Melbourne's Tohu Harris was dumped from the New Zealand squad by Kearney to accommodate the cross-code superstar.
"It was a difficult situation coming in with the whole Tohu thing, and I feel very remorseful," Williams said at the Kiwi team's camp in Sydney on Sunday.
"But I didn't want to look back in 10 years at something that I would have regretted.
"When it first came out, I said to the coach I am willing to drop out because I felt that bad.
"But he told me I had the backing of the senior players and now I just go with the coach's decision."
Kearney admitted the situation wasn't ideal, but shrugged off criticism at handling of the issue by many including former Kiwi coach Graham Lowe.
"There were always going to be people who agreed and disagreed with the decision," Kearney said.
"But the most important thing is that we've made it and we have to put it behind us.
"We feel for Tohu but now we have to get on with the job."
Speculation was rife on Thursday that Williams was returning to Super Rugby with the Chiefs next year when he was spotted signing documents while lunching with team officials and senior management from the NZRU in Sydney.
But 24 hours later, the Roosters confirmed he was staying with them for another year and Williams said the documents at the lunch were merely him making a declaration of interest in returning to rugby in 2015.
"It was making my intentions clear; the deal hasn't been done yet. I was clearing up a few things and being up front and honest with them," he said.
"It's how I've always been and my year here at the Roosters couldn't have gone any better.
"I know people will take it the wrong way but I can't worry about that.
"I will always have that with whatever I do, but I had to do what felt right in my heart and my gut."
Williams said when Kearney first made contact with him on Monday - 24 hours after helping the Roosters beat Manly in the grand final - he was leaning toward going back to rugby union and didn't feel he should play the league World Cup in that case.
But the prospect of becoming the first man to win a World Cup in rugby union and league was a challenge he couldn't miss.
"To be honest, I hadn't made my mind up until 24 hours after I spoke to Mooks (Kearney)," he said.
"That was the hardest thing. When I spoke to him, I'd just got back from not much sleep after celebrations.
"When we spoke, the body was a bit sore and we didn't really know what I was going to do and it looked like I was going to go back to rugby.
"I felt if I went back to rugby, it wouldn't be right putting my hand up for the (league) World Cup.
"But I decided I was going to stay and, for elite players, the pinnacle of what you want to do is play for your country.
"I still haven't beaten Australia or England and to play in a World Cup is going to be special.
http://www.nrl.com/sbw-i-offered-to-quit-kiwis/tabid/10874/newsid/75061/default.aspx
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Sam Burgess raring to go for England
By Ian Laybourn
AAP
5:50pm Fri 11th October, 2013
Sam Burgess is looking forward to making up for lost time with England as he steps up his preparations for the World Cup.
The former Bradford forward, who is currently training with England at a high-altitude camp in South Africa, has missed the last two international tournaments through injury but is fit and raring to go ahead of the opening game against Australia on October 26.
"It's always a great honour to play for this country," said the South Sydney prop, who won the last of his 11 caps against Papua New Guinea in the 2010 Four Nations Series.
"It's been two or three years now, so I'm looking forward to getting back into it.
"We've been in South Africa for a week now and the boys are coming together nicely. We've had good weather and the experience has been fantastic so far.
"You can see the RFL have really got behind the team with their investment in this and things like sports science and it's giving us the best chance to go and do the job on the weekend."
Burgess, who was this week voted the Rabbitohs' player of the year by his teammates, has been part of the international scene for seven years, the last four of which have been spent in the NRL.
England coach Steve McNamara, who gave Burgess his Super League debut at Bradford, is delighted to have him available for the World Cup and believes his best is yet to come.
"Sam has always been a good professional and his game has improved," McNamara said. "That week-in, week-out intensity is what he needed to test him.
"But you forget that Sam is only 24 and there is a lot more improvement in him. We've missed him over the last two years but he's certainly made a big contribution to this camp."
Burgess is in familiar company in Potchefstroom, having been joined in the 24-strong England camp by 21-year-old twin brothers George and Tom.
George had been expected to get the call after a huge season in which he won the NRL rookie-of-the-year award and Sam reckons Tom also deserves his spot after making a big impression in his debut season.
"The twins have worked very hard to get into this position," he said. "To represent your country with your little brothers is going to be fantastic. I've probably not thought about until the last couple of weeks when everything came out.
Of course, much was made of the non-selection of the oldest of the Burgess brothers, Luke, who was a non-playing member of the England squad last year.
"It's disappointing for Luke," Sam said. "He came through his injury and played the back half of the year and played very well.
http://www.nrl.com/sam-burgess-raring-to-go-for-england/tabid/10874/newsid/75060/default.aspx
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Gallen itching for start of World Cup
By Ian McCullough
AAP
3:46pm Sun 13th October, 2013
Australian vice-captain Paul Gallen is relishing the chance to take on England and the Burgess boys in the rugby league World Cup opener - and welcoming the opportunity of cooler weather in the UK.
The Kangaroos went through their final hit-out on home soil on Sunday in temperatures nudging the mid-30s at St George Illawarra's Kogarah Oval in Sydney.
The team will fly to London on Monday afternoon before jetting onto Manchester where they'll be in camp until the October 26 encounter with England in Cardiff.
It will be the third time Gallen has played in the UK and the Cronulla skipper says it's a place he has fond memories of, having tasted success in the 2009 and 2011 Four Nations series.
"I love going on tours, I love the plane flight over there hanging out with the boys," Gallen said.
"I don't mind the weather to be honest. You can see how white I am - these days aren't for me.
"I really enjoy the towns, the atmosphere at the games and I have had success over there and hopefully I can do that again."
A crowd of around 70,000 is expected for the opening game at the Millennium Stadium and Gallen expects the winner of the forward battle to decide the outcome of the game.
In addition to Sam, Tom, George Burgess and James Graham, Parramatta-bound prop Lee Mossop will be in England's starting line-up along with outstanding hooker James Roby.
And Gallen knows full well the winner of the group will almost certainly have a clear run to the final with the losers likely to play New Zealand in the semi-finals.
"You don't want to take the other nations for granted as they will be wanting to give it to us," he said.
"But if you win the game it will mean you are a fair way to the final.
"It's massive game first up but it's in Wales and hopefully the crowd will be on our side against a very good England team.
"It's the talk before any Australia game the battle in the forwards. It's going to be really hard for us. England have some class forwards and the experience of the Burgess boys and James Graham in the NRL.
"It's going to be a tough task for us but we have to get the job done."
Centre Michael Jennings scored a hat-trick in his only Kangaroos appearance in 2009 and the Sydney Roosters star is battling with Brent Tate and Josh Morris for the other centre spot alongside Greg Inglis.
The former Penrith flyer is hoping his form in helping the Roosters win the NRL premiership this year will give him a head start.
"Coming off a grand final win and getting on this tour, it's been a great year. I can't wait," Jennings said.
"I feel fresh in the mindset but my body is not as fresh as it could be but I am ready to play and hope to get the chance in the first game.
"Hopefully when I do get the chance to pull on that jersey I can get another hat-trick."
http://www.nrl.com/gallen-itching-for-start-of-world-cup/tabid/10874/newsid/75062/default.aspx
By Ian McCullough
AAP
1:07pm Sun 13th October, 2013
Sonny Bill Williams says he told New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney he'd drop out of the Rugby League World Cup squad if it appeared his u-turn on selection would hurt team harmony.
Williams set the record straight on several issues on Sunday, confirming he plans to return to rugby union in New Zealand in 2015 ahead of the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup title defence after completing a second season with NRL premiers the Sydney Roosters next year.
He will also put his boxing career on hold to focus on getting to the Olympics with the New Zealand rugby sevens side in Rio in 2016 - "I won't have the time to box in the next three years".
Williams was criticised heavily this week when he changed his mind and made himself available for the Kiwis' Rugby League's World Cup title defence starting this month hours after initially ruling himself out of the tournament.
His decision meant Melbourne's Tohu Harris was dumped from the New Zealand squad by Kearney to accommodate the cross-code superstar.
"It was a difficult situation coming in with the whole Tohu thing, and I feel very remorseful," Williams said at the Kiwi team's camp in Sydney on Sunday.
"But I didn't want to look back in 10 years at something that I would have regretted.
"When it first came out, I said to the coach I am willing to drop out because I felt that bad.
"But he told me I had the backing of the senior players and now I just go with the coach's decision."
Kearney admitted the situation wasn't ideal, but shrugged off criticism at handling of the issue by many including former Kiwi coach Graham Lowe.
"There were always going to be people who agreed and disagreed with the decision," Kearney said.
"But the most important thing is that we've made it and we have to put it behind us.
"We feel for Tohu but now we have to get on with the job."
Speculation was rife on Thursday that Williams was returning to Super Rugby with the Chiefs next year when he was spotted signing documents while lunching with team officials and senior management from the NZRU in Sydney.
But 24 hours later, the Roosters confirmed he was staying with them for another year and Williams said the documents at the lunch were merely him making a declaration of interest in returning to rugby in 2015.
"It was making my intentions clear; the deal hasn't been done yet. I was clearing up a few things and being up front and honest with them," he said.
"It's how I've always been and my year here at the Roosters couldn't have gone any better.
"I know people will take it the wrong way but I can't worry about that.
"I will always have that with whatever I do, but I had to do what felt right in my heart and my gut."
Williams said when Kearney first made contact with him on Monday - 24 hours after helping the Roosters beat Manly in the grand final - he was leaning toward going back to rugby union and didn't feel he should play the league World Cup in that case.
But the prospect of becoming the first man to win a World Cup in rugby union and league was a challenge he couldn't miss.
"To be honest, I hadn't made my mind up until 24 hours after I spoke to Mooks (Kearney)," he said.
"That was the hardest thing. When I spoke to him, I'd just got back from not much sleep after celebrations.
"When we spoke, the body was a bit sore and we didn't really know what I was going to do and it looked like I was going to go back to rugby.
"I felt if I went back to rugby, it wouldn't be right putting my hand up for the (league) World Cup.
"But I decided I was going to stay and, for elite players, the pinnacle of what you want to do is play for your country.
"I still haven't beaten Australia or England and to play in a World Cup is going to be special.
http://www.nrl.com/sbw-i-offered-to-quit-kiwis/tabid/10874/newsid/75061/default.aspx
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Sam Burgess raring to go for England
By Ian Laybourn
AAP
5:50pm Fri 11th October, 2013
Sam Burgess is looking forward to making up for lost time with England as he steps up his preparations for the World Cup.
The former Bradford forward, who is currently training with England at a high-altitude camp in South Africa, has missed the last two international tournaments through injury but is fit and raring to go ahead of the opening game against Australia on October 26.
"It's always a great honour to play for this country," said the South Sydney prop, who won the last of his 11 caps against Papua New Guinea in the 2010 Four Nations Series.
"It's been two or three years now, so I'm looking forward to getting back into it.
"We've been in South Africa for a week now and the boys are coming together nicely. We've had good weather and the experience has been fantastic so far.
"You can see the RFL have really got behind the team with their investment in this and things like sports science and it's giving us the best chance to go and do the job on the weekend."
Burgess, who was this week voted the Rabbitohs' player of the year by his teammates, has been part of the international scene for seven years, the last four of which have been spent in the NRL.
England coach Steve McNamara, who gave Burgess his Super League debut at Bradford, is delighted to have him available for the World Cup and believes his best is yet to come.
"Sam has always been a good professional and his game has improved," McNamara said. "That week-in, week-out intensity is what he needed to test him.
"But you forget that Sam is only 24 and there is a lot more improvement in him. We've missed him over the last two years but he's certainly made a big contribution to this camp."
Burgess is in familiar company in Potchefstroom, having been joined in the 24-strong England camp by 21-year-old twin brothers George and Tom.
George had been expected to get the call after a huge season in which he won the NRL rookie-of-the-year award and Sam reckons Tom also deserves his spot after making a big impression in his debut season.
"The twins have worked very hard to get into this position," he said. "To represent your country with your little brothers is going to be fantastic. I've probably not thought about until the last couple of weeks when everything came out.
Of course, much was made of the non-selection of the oldest of the Burgess brothers, Luke, who was a non-playing member of the England squad last year.
"It's disappointing for Luke," Sam said. "He came through his injury and played the back half of the year and played very well.
http://www.nrl.com/sam-burgess-raring-to-go-for-england/tabid/10874/newsid/75060/default.aspx
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Gallen itching for start of World Cup
By Ian McCullough
AAP
3:46pm Sun 13th October, 2013
Australian vice-captain Paul Gallen is relishing the chance to take on England and the Burgess boys in the rugby league World Cup opener - and welcoming the opportunity of cooler weather in the UK.
The Kangaroos went through their final hit-out on home soil on Sunday in temperatures nudging the mid-30s at St George Illawarra's Kogarah Oval in Sydney.
The team will fly to London on Monday afternoon before jetting onto Manchester where they'll be in camp until the October 26 encounter with England in Cardiff.
It will be the third time Gallen has played in the UK and the Cronulla skipper says it's a place he has fond memories of, having tasted success in the 2009 and 2011 Four Nations series.
"I love going on tours, I love the plane flight over there hanging out with the boys," Gallen said.
"I don't mind the weather to be honest. You can see how white I am - these days aren't for me.
"I really enjoy the towns, the atmosphere at the games and I have had success over there and hopefully I can do that again."
A crowd of around 70,000 is expected for the opening game at the Millennium Stadium and Gallen expects the winner of the forward battle to decide the outcome of the game.
In addition to Sam, Tom, George Burgess and James Graham, Parramatta-bound prop Lee Mossop will be in England's starting line-up along with outstanding hooker James Roby.
And Gallen knows full well the winner of the group will almost certainly have a clear run to the final with the losers likely to play New Zealand in the semi-finals.
"You don't want to take the other nations for granted as they will be wanting to give it to us," he said.
"But if you win the game it will mean you are a fair way to the final.
"It's massive game first up but it's in Wales and hopefully the crowd will be on our side against a very good England team.
"It's the talk before any Australia game the battle in the forwards. It's going to be really hard for us. England have some class forwards and the experience of the Burgess boys and James Graham in the NRL.
"It's going to be a tough task for us but we have to get the job done."
Centre Michael Jennings scored a hat-trick in his only Kangaroos appearance in 2009 and the Sydney Roosters star is battling with Brent Tate and Josh Morris for the other centre spot alongside Greg Inglis.
The former Penrith flyer is hoping his form in helping the Roosters win the NRL premiership this year will give him a head start.
"Coming off a grand final win and getting on this tour, it's been a great year. I can't wait," Jennings said.
"I feel fresh in the mindset but my body is not as fresh as it could be but I am ready to play and hope to get the chance in the first game.
"Hopefully when I do get the chance to pull on that jersey I can get another hat-trick."
http://www.nrl.com/gallen-itching-for-start-of-world-cup/tabid/10874/newsid/75062/default.aspx
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Paul Crawley writes that Sonny Bill Williams' decision to stay in rugby league is a huge boost for the World Cup and the NRL
THE Kangaroos fly out for England today knowing the success of their seven-week World Cup campaign could well come down to the final 40 minutes of the tournament.
If all goes to script Australia will take on New Zealand in the final at Old Trafford in Manchester on November 30 - and the inclusion of Sonny Bill Williams just made the Kangaroos’ job a hell of a lot tougher.
There is no question the Kangaroos will head off with the best balanced squad and they rightly deserve to be the favourites.But the Kiwis are the defending champions and they’ll also be heading to England thinking they can win it.
And if it goes to plan and it comes down to the final, do you think the Kiwis will still be complaining about Sonny Bill’s backflip last week that saw him take the place of Melbourne Storm rookie Tohu Harris?
Seriously, they had no alternative but to take him up on his offer.
On and off the field his impact is going to be a huge bonus for the reigning title holders.As Michael Jennings explained at Kangaroos training yesterday when he was asked about his Roosters teammate that just became the new enemy, Williams inspires everyone around him just by being there.
As Jennings said: ``It is just his professionalism. Everything he does off the field. All the stuff you won’t see but you know he is doing it, that’s the person he is.’’What he did for the Roosters this year was enormous.He turned the joint from party central into probably the most disciplined and motivated side in the NRL.
And that’s not even taking into account what he did on the field.You can bet his impact will be just as significant at the World Cup.Think back to the mid-year Test in Canberra when the Kiwis were without him.
They were right in that game at halftime with the scores locked at 6-all and with a bit of luck they should have been in front after having three scoring chances disallowed by the videos referees.
But after the break it all changed when Australia scored four tries in the space of 11 minutes before finishing comfortable 32-12 winners.
But do you think the Kiwis would have fallen apart that easily if Sonny Bill had been on the field?
We saw in the second half of the NRL grand final what he can do when he injects himself into a match.It’s the type of individual brilliance that few other players in the game can match - and that will surely inspire and motivate the Kiwis for the next seven weeks.
He might not have been the best player on the field during the entire grand final but he was certainly the most influential when it mattered.Two giant plays equalled two tries - and it was game set and match to the Roosters.In rugby league we always talk about the player who makes the others look over their shoulders.
Right now no one in the game makes others look more nervous than the Kiwis’ superstar backrower.
Is it a good thing he’s going to the World Cup?
You better believe it.
Not just for the Kiwis, but the credibility of the entire tournament.It’s a credit to the Roosters and the NRL that he is sticking around next year and if he heads back to rugby after that then so be it.
Nick Politis is one of the few men in Australian sports administration who doesn’t listen to the masses and if it works for him to re-sign Sonny Bill to a one-year contract then why should anyone else be complaining?
If he wasn’t at the Roosters next year people would have criticised him for leaving - now that he’s staying we still want to question his motives.No matter what you think you have to admit this - the World Cup and next year’s NRL premiership are more compelling because of three letters.
SBW - it’s not a dirty word
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-cup-and-the-nrl/story-fni3gn3s-1226739316086
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The Kangaroos finalise World Cup preparations with a final training sesssion
THE temperature was in the mid to high 30s and Paul Gallen was getting flogged on Kogarah Oval.
It was the middle of the day and about a thousand people were looking on.The Kangaroos were having their first and last training run before they board the plane bound for England and the World Cup where the temperature will be just above freezing.
So with fans watching before kick-off to the match between the Junior Kangaroos and the Junior Kiwis an old warhorse was showing the young guys why it never gets any easier no matter how high you climb in this game.
Tim Sheens had called an end to training but Gallen along with a couple of others still had work to do.
And even after all he’s been through this year with the ongoing ASADA investigation hanging over Cronulla’s head, it was obvious that the Sharks skipper hadn’t lost any desire to be on this tour.
"I’m really looking forward to it,’ Gallen said."Physically I’m good. I have had the last two weeks off, I’ve got no excuses.’’
Why was he given extras at the end?
"We did testing out there and the higher your score the worse it was,’’ he laughed."I wasn’t the worst but I was up there."I don’t mind doing the extra work and I needed a blow out.’’
And even after another long, tough season, this seven-week tour could still present him with the greatest individual honour of his career.A bloke who never even made the junior Australian teams as a youngster is now in line to get a crack at captaining Australia at the age of 32 on probably his final tour for his country.
No one is questioning Cameron Smith is in any danger of losing his job at the World Cup but with six games to play it’s highly likely Smith will get a rest at some stage, which could open the door for the vice-captain to take over.
"It would be nice,’’ Gallen laughed."I just hope (coach Sheens) doesn’t rest us in the same game."That is the thing.’’Asked if he ever captained Australia before, even as a junior, Gallen added: ``No, never captained Australia. Never even made the junior teams.’’
And he knows this will be his last chance."I’m realistic. I know there won’t be another World Cup for me,’’ Gallen said."I’m not sure if there is a tour next year but I have a couple of years to go and that’s it.
"So this will be my last tour by the sounds of it."I’m really looking forward to it."I remember talking to my dad in the last World Cup (when the Aussies got nailed in the final by the Kiwis) and he said `you will win the next one’."And I said: `As if I’m going to be there for the next one’.
"Time goes so fast and I’m here now and I’m really looking forward to it."I want to do my best and hopefully bring the Cup back home.’’
And if he gets to captain his country in the process that’s just a bonus.The Aussies take on England first up on October 26 with the following pool games against Fiji (November 2) and Ireland (November 9) before the quarter finals.
That gives Gallen three opportunities to run out with the ultimate honour for any touring Kangaroo.
"Might have to have a talk to (Sheens) over a few quite drinks,” he joked."At the end of the day what an honour it would be but I’m here to win the World Cup.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-kangaroos-finalise-world-cup-preparations-with-a-final-training-sesssion/story-fni3fbgz-1226739226219
- PAUL CRAWLEY
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 14, 2013 12:00AM
THE Kangaroos fly out for England today knowing the success of their seven-week World Cup campaign could well come down to the final 40 minutes of the tournament.
If all goes to script Australia will take on New Zealand in the final at Old Trafford in Manchester on November 30 - and the inclusion of Sonny Bill Williams just made the Kangaroos’ job a hell of a lot tougher.
There is no question the Kangaroos will head off with the best balanced squad and they rightly deserve to be the favourites.But the Kiwis are the defending champions and they’ll also be heading to England thinking they can win it.
And if it goes to plan and it comes down to the final, do you think the Kiwis will still be complaining about Sonny Bill’s backflip last week that saw him take the place of Melbourne Storm rookie Tohu Harris?
Seriously, they had no alternative but to take him up on his offer.
On and off the field his impact is going to be a huge bonus for the reigning title holders.As Michael Jennings explained at Kangaroos training yesterday when he was asked about his Roosters teammate that just became the new enemy, Williams inspires everyone around him just by being there.
As Jennings said: ``It is just his professionalism. Everything he does off the field. All the stuff you won’t see but you know he is doing it, that’s the person he is.’’What he did for the Roosters this year was enormous.He turned the joint from party central into probably the most disciplined and motivated side in the NRL.
And that’s not even taking into account what he did on the field.You can bet his impact will be just as significant at the World Cup.Think back to the mid-year Test in Canberra when the Kiwis were without him.
They were right in that game at halftime with the scores locked at 6-all and with a bit of luck they should have been in front after having three scoring chances disallowed by the videos referees.
But after the break it all changed when Australia scored four tries in the space of 11 minutes before finishing comfortable 32-12 winners.
But do you think the Kiwis would have fallen apart that easily if Sonny Bill had been on the field?
We saw in the second half of the NRL grand final what he can do when he injects himself into a match.It’s the type of individual brilliance that few other players in the game can match - and that will surely inspire and motivate the Kiwis for the next seven weeks.
He might not have been the best player on the field during the entire grand final but he was certainly the most influential when it mattered.Two giant plays equalled two tries - and it was game set and match to the Roosters.In rugby league we always talk about the player who makes the others look over their shoulders.
Right now no one in the game makes others look more nervous than the Kiwis’ superstar backrower.
Is it a good thing he’s going to the World Cup?
You better believe it.
Not just for the Kiwis, but the credibility of the entire tournament.It’s a credit to the Roosters and the NRL that he is sticking around next year and if he heads back to rugby after that then so be it.
Nick Politis is one of the few men in Australian sports administration who doesn’t listen to the masses and if it works for him to re-sign Sonny Bill to a one-year contract then why should anyone else be complaining?
If he wasn’t at the Roosters next year people would have criticised him for leaving - now that he’s staying we still want to question his motives.No matter what you think you have to admit this - the World Cup and next year’s NRL premiership are more compelling because of three letters.
SBW - it’s not a dirty word
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-cup-and-the-nrl/story-fni3gn3s-1226739316086
- - - Updated - - -
The Kangaroos finalise World Cup preparations with a final training sesssion
- PAUL CRAWLEY
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 14, 2013 12:00AM
THE temperature was in the mid to high 30s and Paul Gallen was getting flogged on Kogarah Oval.
It was the middle of the day and about a thousand people were looking on.The Kangaroos were having their first and last training run before they board the plane bound for England and the World Cup where the temperature will be just above freezing.
So with fans watching before kick-off to the match between the Junior Kangaroos and the Junior Kiwis an old warhorse was showing the young guys why it never gets any easier no matter how high you climb in this game.
Tim Sheens had called an end to training but Gallen along with a couple of others still had work to do.
And even after all he’s been through this year with the ongoing ASADA investigation hanging over Cronulla’s head, it was obvious that the Sharks skipper hadn’t lost any desire to be on this tour.
"I’m really looking forward to it,’ Gallen said."Physically I’m good. I have had the last two weeks off, I’ve got no excuses.’’
Why was he given extras at the end?
"We did testing out there and the higher your score the worse it was,’’ he laughed."I wasn’t the worst but I was up there."I don’t mind doing the extra work and I needed a blow out.’’
And even after another long, tough season, this seven-week tour could still present him with the greatest individual honour of his career.A bloke who never even made the junior Australian teams as a youngster is now in line to get a crack at captaining Australia at the age of 32 on probably his final tour for his country.
No one is questioning Cameron Smith is in any danger of losing his job at the World Cup but with six games to play it’s highly likely Smith will get a rest at some stage, which could open the door for the vice-captain to take over.
"It would be nice,’’ Gallen laughed."I just hope (coach Sheens) doesn’t rest us in the same game."That is the thing.’’Asked if he ever captained Australia before, even as a junior, Gallen added: ``No, never captained Australia. Never even made the junior teams.’’
And he knows this will be his last chance."I’m realistic. I know there won’t be another World Cup for me,’’ Gallen said."I’m not sure if there is a tour next year but I have a couple of years to go and that’s it.
"So this will be my last tour by the sounds of it."I’m really looking forward to it."I remember talking to my dad in the last World Cup (when the Aussies got nailed in the final by the Kiwis) and he said `you will win the next one’."And I said: `As if I’m going to be there for the next one’.
"Time goes so fast and I’m here now and I’m really looking forward to it."I want to do my best and hopefully bring the Cup back home.’’
And if he gets to captain his country in the process that’s just a bonus.The Aussies take on England first up on October 26 with the following pool games against Fiji (November 2) and Ireland (November 9) before the quarter finals.
That gives Gallen three opportunities to run out with the ultimate honour for any touring Kangaroo.
"Might have to have a talk to (Sheens) over a few quite drinks,” he joked."At the end of the day what an honour it would be but I’m here to win the World Cup.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-kangaroos-finalise-world-cup-preparations-with-a-final-training-sesssion/story-fni3fbgz-1226739226219
Last edited:
cowboyman
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Anyone thought of doing the World Cup fantasy comp? Same scoring system as the telegraph fantasy comp and you can only have 1 for each of the 13 positions and only 1 player from each country meaning you won't have a player from 1 of the playing nations.
http://www.fantasyrlwc.com/ is the site to visit. Can also start up a league if someone wanted to.
http://www.fantasyrlwc.com/ is the site to visit. Can also start up a league if someone wanted to.
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Your club's World Cup representatives
NRL.com
2:25pm Mon 14th October, 2013
How many of your club's players have been selected in one of the 14 Rugby League World Cup squads?
Here are the players who were employed by an NRL club in 2013 and are taking part in this year's tournament.
ROOSTERS - (16 Players)
Boyd Cordner (Australia)
Michael Jennings (Australia)
Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
Sam Moa (New Zealand)
Frank-Paul Nuuausala (New Zealand)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (New Zealand)
Anthony Minichiello (Italy)
Aidan Guerra (Italy)
Samisoni Langia (Tonga)
Nafe Seluini (Tonga)
Daniel Tupou (Tonga)
Tinirau Arona (Cook Islands)
Dylan Napa (Cook Islands)
Kane Evans (Fiji)
Nene McDonald (Papua New Guinea)
WARRIORS - (14 Players)
Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)
Thomas Leuluai (New Zealand)
Kevin Locke (New Zealand)
Simmon Mannering (New Zealand)
Ben Matulino (New Zealand)
Elijah Taylor (New Zealand)
Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand)
Pita Godinet (Samoa)
Edward Purcell (Samoa)
Glen Fisi'iahi (Tonga)
Siliva Havili (Tonga)
Konrad Hurrell (Tonga)
Hikule'o Malu (Cook Islands)
Dominique Peyroux (Cook Islands)
COWBOYS - (13 Players)
Matthew Scott (Australia)
James Tamou (Australia)
Brent Tate (Australia)
Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
Tariq Sims (Fiji)
Ashton Sims (Fiji)
Jason Taumalolo (Tonga)
Clint Greenshields (France)
Joel Riethmuller (Italy)
Ray Thompson (Papua New Guinea)
Kane Linnett (Scotland)
Rory Kostjasyn (Ireland)
Antonio Winterstein (Samoa)
SHARKS - (12 Players)
Paul Gallen (Australia)
Andrew Fifita (Australia)
Luke Lewis (Australia)
Jayson Bukuya (Fiji)
Vitale Jr Roqica (Fiji)
Mark Taufua (Samoa)
Penani Manumeasili (Samoa)
Sosaia Feki (Tonga)
Pat Politini (Tonga)
Nesiasi Mataitonga (Tonga)
Rea Pittman (Cook Islands)
Tupou Sopoaga (Cook Islands)
KNIGHTS - (11 Players)
Darius Boyd (Australia)
Akuila Uate (Fiji)
Kevin Naiqama (Fiji)
Korbin Sims (Fiji)
Kade Snowden (Italy)
Joshua Mantellato (Italy)
David Fa'alogo (Samoa)
Joseph Leilua (Samoa)
Siuatonga Likiliki (Tonga)
Neville Costigan (Papua New Guinea)
Zane Tetavano (Cook Islands)
EELS - (11 Players)
Jarryd Hayne (Australia)
Semi Radradra (Fiji)
Reni Maitua (Samoa)
Ben Roberts (Samoa)
Sauaso Sue (Samoa)
Fuifui Moimoi (Tonga)
Peni Terepo (Tonga)
Dean Parata (Italy)
Apirana Pewhairangi (Ireland)
Joseph Paulo (USA)
Ben Murdoch-Masila (Tonga)
TIGERS - (9 Players)
Robbie Farah (Australia)
Marik Koroibete (Fiji)
Masada Iosefa (Tonga)
Sauaso Sue (Samoa)
Ben Murdoch-Masila (Tonga)
James Tedesco (Italy)
Brendan Santi (Italy)
Joel Luani (USA)
Ben Murdoch-Masila (Tonga)
PANTHERS - (9 Players)
Dean Whare (New Zealand)
Wes Naiqama (Fiji)
Mose Masoe (Samoa)
Cameron Ciraldo (Italy)
James Segeyaro (Papua New Guinea)
Sika Manu (Tonga)
Daniel Foster (Tonga)
Isaac John (Cook Islands)
Clint Newton (USA)
RABBITOHS - (8 Players)
Greg Inglis (Australia)
Bryson Goodwin (New Zealand)
Issac Luke (New Zealand)
Sam Burgess (England)
George Burgess (England)
Tom Burgess (England)
Roy Asotasi (Samoa)
Apisai Koroisau (Fiji)
STORM - (8 Players)
Cameron Smith (Australia)
Cooper Cronk (Australia)
Billy Slater (Australia)
Jesse Bromwich (New Zealand)
Gareth Widdop (England)
Junior Moors (Samoa)
Mahe Fonua (Tonga)
Siosaia Vave (Tonga)
BULLDOGS - (8 Players)
Josh Morris (Australia)
Greg Eastwood (New Zealand)
Krisnan Inu (New Zealand)
Sam Kasiano (New Zealand)
Frank Pritchard (New Zealand)
James Graham (England)
Tim Lafai (Samoa)
Drury Low (Cook Islands)
TITANS - (7 Players)
Greg Bird (Australia)
Nate Myles (Australia)
Brad Takairangi (Cook Islands)
Mark Minichiello (Italy)
David Mead (Papua New Guinea)
Luke Douglas (Scotland)
Matt Russell (Scotland)
RAIDERS - (6 Players)
Josh Papalii (Australia)
Anthony Milford (Samoa)
Paul Vaughan (Italy)
Sam Mataora (Cook Islands)
Jordan Rapana (Cook Islands)
Brett White (Ireland)
BRONCOS - (6 Players)
Corey Parker (Australia)
Sam Thaiday (Australia)
Alex Glenn (New Zealand)
Josh Hoffman (New Zealand)
Benjamin Garcia (France)
Peter Wallace (Scotland)
SEA EAGLES - (5 Players)
Daly Cherry-Evans (Australia)
Kieran Foran (New Zealand)
Brent Kite (Tonga)
Jorge Taufua (Tonga)
James Hasson (Ireland)
DRAGONS - (5 Players)
Brett Morris (Australia)
Jason Nightingale (New Zealand)
Daniel Vidot (Samoa)
Tyson Frizzel (Wales)
Joshua Toole (Ireland)
http://www.nrl.com/your-clubs-world-cup-representatives/tabid/10874/newsid/75066/default.aspx
NRL.com
2:25pm Mon 14th October, 2013
How many of your club's players have been selected in one of the 14 Rugby League World Cup squads?
Here are the players who were employed by an NRL club in 2013 and are taking part in this year's tournament.
ROOSTERS - (16 Players)
Boyd Cordner (Australia)
Michael Jennings (Australia)
Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
Sam Moa (New Zealand)
Frank-Paul Nuuausala (New Zealand)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (New Zealand)
Anthony Minichiello (Italy)
Aidan Guerra (Italy)
Samisoni Langia (Tonga)
Nafe Seluini (Tonga)
Daniel Tupou (Tonga)
Tinirau Arona (Cook Islands)
Dylan Napa (Cook Islands)
Kane Evans (Fiji)
Nene McDonald (Papua New Guinea)
WARRIORS - (14 Players)
Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)
Thomas Leuluai (New Zealand)
Kevin Locke (New Zealand)
Simmon Mannering (New Zealand)
Ben Matulino (New Zealand)
Elijah Taylor (New Zealand)
Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand)
Pita Godinet (Samoa)
Edward Purcell (Samoa)
Glen Fisi'iahi (Tonga)
Siliva Havili (Tonga)
Konrad Hurrell (Tonga)
Hikule'o Malu (Cook Islands)
Dominique Peyroux (Cook Islands)
COWBOYS - (13 Players)
Matthew Scott (Australia)
James Tamou (Australia)
Brent Tate (Australia)
Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
Tariq Sims (Fiji)
Ashton Sims (Fiji)
Jason Taumalolo (Tonga)
Clint Greenshields (France)
Joel Riethmuller (Italy)
Ray Thompson (Papua New Guinea)
Kane Linnett (Scotland)
Rory Kostjasyn (Ireland)
Antonio Winterstein (Samoa)
SHARKS - (12 Players)
Paul Gallen (Australia)
Andrew Fifita (Australia)
Luke Lewis (Australia)
Jayson Bukuya (Fiji)
Vitale Jr Roqica (Fiji)
Mark Taufua (Samoa)
Penani Manumeasili (Samoa)
Sosaia Feki (Tonga)
Pat Politini (Tonga)
Nesiasi Mataitonga (Tonga)
Rea Pittman (Cook Islands)
Tupou Sopoaga (Cook Islands)
KNIGHTS - (11 Players)
Darius Boyd (Australia)
Akuila Uate (Fiji)
Kevin Naiqama (Fiji)
Korbin Sims (Fiji)
Kade Snowden (Italy)
Joshua Mantellato (Italy)
David Fa'alogo (Samoa)
Joseph Leilua (Samoa)
Siuatonga Likiliki (Tonga)
Neville Costigan (Papua New Guinea)
Zane Tetavano (Cook Islands)
EELS - (11 Players)
Jarryd Hayne (Australia)
Semi Radradra (Fiji)
Reni Maitua (Samoa)
Ben Roberts (Samoa)
Sauaso Sue (Samoa)
Fuifui Moimoi (Tonga)
Peni Terepo (Tonga)
Dean Parata (Italy)
Apirana Pewhairangi (Ireland)
Joseph Paulo (USA)
Ben Murdoch-Masila (Tonga)
TIGERS - (9 Players)
Robbie Farah (Australia)
Marik Koroibete (Fiji)
Masada Iosefa (Tonga)
Sauaso Sue (Samoa)
Ben Murdoch-Masila (Tonga)
James Tedesco (Italy)
Brendan Santi (Italy)
Joel Luani (USA)
Ben Murdoch-Masila (Tonga)
PANTHERS - (9 Players)
Dean Whare (New Zealand)
Wes Naiqama (Fiji)
Mose Masoe (Samoa)
Cameron Ciraldo (Italy)
James Segeyaro (Papua New Guinea)
Sika Manu (Tonga)
Daniel Foster (Tonga)
Isaac John (Cook Islands)
Clint Newton (USA)
RABBITOHS - (8 Players)
Greg Inglis (Australia)
Bryson Goodwin (New Zealand)
Issac Luke (New Zealand)
Sam Burgess (England)
George Burgess (England)
Tom Burgess (England)
Roy Asotasi (Samoa)
Apisai Koroisau (Fiji)
STORM - (8 Players)
Cameron Smith (Australia)
Cooper Cronk (Australia)
Billy Slater (Australia)
Jesse Bromwich (New Zealand)
Gareth Widdop (England)
Junior Moors (Samoa)
Mahe Fonua (Tonga)
Siosaia Vave (Tonga)
BULLDOGS - (8 Players)
Josh Morris (Australia)
Greg Eastwood (New Zealand)
Krisnan Inu (New Zealand)
Sam Kasiano (New Zealand)
Frank Pritchard (New Zealand)
James Graham (England)
Tim Lafai (Samoa)
Drury Low (Cook Islands)
TITANS - (7 Players)
Greg Bird (Australia)
Nate Myles (Australia)
Brad Takairangi (Cook Islands)
Mark Minichiello (Italy)
David Mead (Papua New Guinea)
Luke Douglas (Scotland)
Matt Russell (Scotland)
RAIDERS - (6 Players)
Josh Papalii (Australia)
Anthony Milford (Samoa)
Paul Vaughan (Italy)
Sam Mataora (Cook Islands)
Jordan Rapana (Cook Islands)
Brett White (Ireland)
BRONCOS - (6 Players)
Corey Parker (Australia)
Sam Thaiday (Australia)
Alex Glenn (New Zealand)
Josh Hoffman (New Zealand)
Benjamin Garcia (France)
Peter Wallace (Scotland)
SEA EAGLES - (5 Players)
Daly Cherry-Evans (Australia)
Kieran Foran (New Zealand)
Brent Kite (Tonga)
Jorge Taufua (Tonga)
James Hasson (Ireland)
DRAGONS - (5 Players)
Brett Morris (Australia)
Jason Nightingale (New Zealand)
Daniel Vidot (Samoa)
Tyson Frizzel (Wales)
Joshua Toole (Ireland)
http://www.nrl.com/your-clubs-world-cup-representatives/tabid/10874/newsid/75066/default.aspx
Last edited:
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Slater unfazed by 2008 RLWC nightmare
By Ian McCullough
AAP
1:49pm Mon 14th October, 2013
Billy Slater insists bad memories of Australia's shock defeat to New Zealand in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup final will have no influence at the looming 2013 tournament.
The Kangaroos flew out to London on Monday afternoon and will head straight to Manchester for a 10-day camp ahead of the October 26 World Cup opener against England in Cardiff.
That's where they start their bid to reclaim a trophy they've held nine times since the inaugural tournament in 1954.
Slater, is one of five remaining Kangaroos from the 34-20 World Cup final boilover at Suncorp Stadium in 2008 along with Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston.
Trailing 18-16 to the Kiwis with 20 minutes remaining, Slater threw a suicidal pass back over the heads of his teammates and gifted Benji Marshall a try that effectively sealed the victory for New Zealand.
The game is one of the few real low points in the glittering career of Melbourne and Queensland fullback, but five years on the 30-year-old said he's not haunted by the incident.
"There's only a handful of us that were involved in that game and it was disappointing," Slater said on Monday.
"World Cups don't come around too often and to let one slip was hard. But we haven't talked about five years ago while we've been in camp.
"For the players that are here who were involved then I'm sure that it's at the back of their minds.
"But it's not a motivation or a driving force for me. This is a World Cup and an opportunity to win, but I certainly won't be dwelling on the past."
As they did five years ago, Australia will go into the tournament as red-hot favourites.
Slater said the favourite tag would serve as a reminder that the Kangaroos are the team everyone wants to beat.
"It can be a good thing and a bad thing," he said.
"It can make you perform to yours and other people's expectations or it can get the better of you.
"It's all how you deal with it.
But being over in England the pressure won't be there as much as we won't be reading the newspapers from Australia and that kind of stuff.
"That will keep the heat off us.
"But we know what's expected, we're not in the team for no reason. We hold high standards."
http://www.nrl.com/slater-unfazed-by-2008-rlwc-nightmare/tabid/10874/newsid/75064/default.aspx
- - - Updated - - -
Snake sparks spritely sprint from SBW
AAP
2:03pm Mon 14th October, 2013
What do you get when you put a Kiwi and a snake in the same room?
Sonny Bill Williams at his fleet-footed best.
The dual international superstar showed an impressive turn of speed on Sunday night after a snake was discovered inside the New Zealand Rugby League World Cup squad's training base at Narrabeen on Sydney's northern beaches.
An underwear-clad Williams was caught on camera bouncing off a massage table when the metre-long reptile was scooped up by his Sydney Roosters teammate Frank Paul Nuuausala and pointed in his direction.
Williams ran over to a group of his fellow Kiwis who were just as scared - one even hiding behind a chair.
Frank Pritchard and Alex Glenn, who posted the video of Williams on Instagram, led a chorus of laughter as Williams dashed across the room.
The Kiwis fly to the UK this week to defend the Rugby League World Cup.
http://www.nrl.com/snake-sparks-spritely-sprint-from-sbw/tabid/10874/newsid/75065/default.aspx
By Ian McCullough
AAP
1:49pm Mon 14th October, 2013
Billy Slater insists bad memories of Australia's shock defeat to New Zealand in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup final will have no influence at the looming 2013 tournament.
The Kangaroos flew out to London on Monday afternoon and will head straight to Manchester for a 10-day camp ahead of the October 26 World Cup opener against England in Cardiff.
That's where they start their bid to reclaim a trophy they've held nine times since the inaugural tournament in 1954.
Slater, is one of five remaining Kangaroos from the 34-20 World Cup final boilover at Suncorp Stadium in 2008 along with Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston.
Trailing 18-16 to the Kiwis with 20 minutes remaining, Slater threw a suicidal pass back over the heads of his teammates and gifted Benji Marshall a try that effectively sealed the victory for New Zealand.
The game is one of the few real low points in the glittering career of Melbourne and Queensland fullback, but five years on the 30-year-old said he's not haunted by the incident.
"There's only a handful of us that were involved in that game and it was disappointing," Slater said on Monday.
"World Cups don't come around too often and to let one slip was hard. But we haven't talked about five years ago while we've been in camp.
"For the players that are here who were involved then I'm sure that it's at the back of their minds.
"But it's not a motivation or a driving force for me. This is a World Cup and an opportunity to win, but I certainly won't be dwelling on the past."
As they did five years ago, Australia will go into the tournament as red-hot favourites.
Slater said the favourite tag would serve as a reminder that the Kangaroos are the team everyone wants to beat.
"It can be a good thing and a bad thing," he said.
"It can make you perform to yours and other people's expectations or it can get the better of you.
"It's all how you deal with it.
But being over in England the pressure won't be there as much as we won't be reading the newspapers from Australia and that kind of stuff.
"That will keep the heat off us.
"But we know what's expected, we're not in the team for no reason. We hold high standards."
http://www.nrl.com/slater-unfazed-by-2008-rlwc-nightmare/tabid/10874/newsid/75064/default.aspx
- - - Updated - - -
Snake sparks spritely sprint from SBW
AAP
2:03pm Mon 14th October, 2013
What do you get when you put a Kiwi and a snake in the same room?
Sonny Bill Williams at his fleet-footed best.
The dual international superstar showed an impressive turn of speed on Sunday night after a snake was discovered inside the New Zealand Rugby League World Cup squad's training base at Narrabeen on Sydney's northern beaches.
An underwear-clad Williams was caught on camera bouncing off a massage table when the metre-long reptile was scooped up by his Sydney Roosters teammate Frank Paul Nuuausala and pointed in his direction.
Williams ran over to a group of his fellow Kiwis who were just as scared - one even hiding behind a chair.
Frank Pritchard and Alex Glenn, who posted the video of Williams on Instagram, led a chorus of laughter as Williams dashed across the room.
The Kiwis fly to the UK this week to defend the Rugby League World Cup.
http://www.nrl.com/snake-sparks-spritely-sprint-from-sbw/tabid/10874/newsid/75065/default.aspx
I think most NZers would probably react like that to a snake! 
Only ever seen one or two in my life while on holiday in Aus ... and that was enough!
Only ever seen one or two in my life while on holiday in Aus ... and that was enough!
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Fullback Billy Slater set to take on new 'Kid' on block - England star Sam Tomkins
HE is known as the Billy Slater of the English Super League and the New Zealand Warriors thought enough of him to sign him up for a reported $750,000 a season.
But the real Billy Slater on Monday spoke up in Sam Tomkins’ defence, declaring his rival fullback deserves to be known as his own man.
The Kangaroos superstar will go head to head with Tomkins when the Aussies take on England in their opening World Cup clash on October 26.
Told of the tag put on the English try-scoring freak, Slater said: "I think that’s a little bit hard. I have been compared to people in the past too and I’m my own player. I’m sure Sam’s his own player.
"I watch a bit of video of other players and you might take a little bit here off someone and a little bit there off someone else but you build your own game.
"I’m sure Sam is building his own game and getting his own strengths and weaknesses and working them out. I don’t think he would like that too much."
But the YouTube clips suggest otherwise, with the similarities between Tomkins and Billy the Kid uncanny.
The 24-year-old is lightning fast, with a step and swerve similar to Slater at his breathtaking best.Tomkins made rugby league history as a 19-year-old when he scored five tries on debut for Wigan — his first three tries came in the opening 12 minutes.
Since then, he’s chalked up a total of 144 tries in 152 games.In 19 Tests for his country, he has scored 19 tries.
Tomkins will join the Warriors next year on a massive deal that will make him among the highest paid players in the NRL.
He signed off his stint in the English Super League with victory for Wigan in the grand final over Warrington.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...star-sam-tomkins/story-fni3gs8m-1226739792444
- - - Updated - - -
Kangaroos prop Andrew Fifita misses honeymoon for start at Rugby League World Cup
IT'S not the honeymoon Andrew Fifita imagined but at least the giant Kangaroos prop could see the funny side of it all.
Fifita married Nikkita on Sunday, then returned to camp on Monday to crack jokes with Jarryd Hayne before flying out for the World Cup.
"It is exciting but tough," Fifita said from Sydney Airport as the squad waited for their flight to Manchester."I just got married and we were meant to go on our honeymoon with the entire family today to Hawaii."
The 24-year-old prop wasn’t even considered a rough hope at the start of the year to make the Australian squad — but after a barnstorming season for Cronulla he was named Dally M prop of the year and is now pushing for selection for the first Test against England on October 26.
"I even offered to stay home with my family," Fifita said."I said to them, 'I want to do what is best for us'."And she said she wanted me to follow that dream of mine."I am not with them at the moment but they will be on my mind 24/7 and that is all I do when I play footy, think about my family.
"That is all I want to do."And he’s not on his own there. Billy Slater is no new kid on the block anymore with these big end-of-season trips but he admits saying goodbye to his wife and kids never gets any easier."Yeah, it’s pretty tough," Slater said."And a lot of the boys have got kids.
"Usually we go over for I think a five-week stint but this one is seven and a half weeks before we get home, so it’s pretty tough on the little ones and wives that stay back here."But that is what we do.
"We just have to get over there and get on with things."Obviously with the technology these days you can Skype your families back home, which is great.
"But we are over there to do a job for our nation and whenever we get the chance to play for our country it is pretty special. I just went away for a little bit with the family."I would have found it tough if I had to keep playing and then go straight away.
"Homesickness is probably the biggest factor, missing your family."We have just been through a winter here and we’re going to the winter over there.
"They are the little factors, but we are over there with a good bunch of fellas and we are having a good time.
"We are playing footy and we are doing what we love."At the end of the day, it’s not that hard."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...league-world-cup/story-fni3gol8-1226739861327
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More than 120 NRL stars to compete in toughest Rugby League World Cup ever
TIM Sheens has been at the top of rugby league coaching for 30 years and experience tells him this World Cup is going to be one of the toughest campaigns Australia have ever been involved in.
Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Burgess and more than 120 other NRL players are scattered across all the nations, waiting to ambush Australia.
The Kangaroos are the top seeds and the favourites, but the Kiwis are the reigning champs, and England are on home soil and motivated to prove in their first-up clash against the Aussies they are in it to win it.
Sheens knows everyone expects Australia to win, but that is not always the way it unfolds.
"You don’t often get the credit for it because people expect it," he agreed."But I think there is more anticipation from the Australian public in respect to guys like the Burgesses and company playing for England and certainly Sonny Bill playing for New Zealand.
"I think people, as do our players, have more of a respect for those two teams now. So there is more uncertainty and of course uncertainty brings interest.
"But we are rated and seeded number one, we have been for some time, well before my time. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you win it."And as for the competition this time round?"I think this will be one of the strongest, if not the strongest, contested World Cup," he said.
"With the relaxing of the rules so guys can play World Cup this year and still play State of Origin next year or play for Australia and New Zealand again next year, Australia have about 125 NRL players in the pool and we are only using 24 of those.
"And Super League in England are the same, so the standard will go up considerably. I think this series in Eng*land will be very hard to win.
"If you are going to win a World Cup you want to win it the hard way. You want to play the best sides. You want to test yourself."
Australia have a wonderful mix of youth and experience and there will be plenty of competition for spots in the first Test against England on October 26.
Sheens has made two trips to England this year to make sure the Aussies are fully prepared and he said he would be treating the 10-day build-up to the England game with with a "State of Origin-type intensity.
That doesn’t mean he will risk any player carrying injury after a tough season."I wouldn’t want to be putting needles in anyone for game one, put it that way," he said.
Asked if there was any doubt over Greg Inglis’s fitness, Sheens said: "Greg will be in game one."The injury he has isn’t an injury that is going to stop him playing any of the games."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e-world-cup-ever/story-fni3fbgz-1226739842357
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Year off boosts Sheens' World Cup planning
By Ian McCullough
AAP
6:35pm Mon 14th October, 2013
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens says the bitter disappointment of being forced out of the Wests Tigers allowed him the time to leave no stone unturned in his preparations for the Rugby League World Cup.
Aside from a break of just over a year after departing North Queensland in 2001, Sheens had been in charge of a club side since 1984 before being ousted at the Tigers at the end of last season.
But Sheens, who'll celebrate his 63rd birthday four days after the October 26 tournament opener against England, has found benefits in being a full-time Test coach.
This includes picking the brains of his former assistant coach at the Tigers Peter Gentle, who coached Hull for the last two years and ex-South Sydney mentor Shaun McRae, who's been involved in the UK game in various capacities for much of the last 15 years
"I've spoke to Pete, Shaun McRae who's worked over there and David Waite who's assisting in France and have done a lot of research into the English," Sheens said.
"I don't know until they pick their side just who's going to play in that team and where.
"But I know a lot about individuals which I probably wouldn't have the luxury of had I'd been involved in club football.
"I've been able to concentrate on it a lot more, which allows me to put more time in.
"In my five years in the job this will be as best prepared team as I've ever had."
The focus has been very much on New Zealand since Sonny Bill Williams' decision to play in the tournament.
However, Sheens is very wary of the threat of England on home soil and believes Steve McNamara's side will have the confidence they can win a first World Cup since 1972 thanks to their NRL forwards contingent.
"With a full-time coach they've worked really hard to improve their national side," he said.
"Although they may not have the depth of Australia and New Zealand, in `09 and `11 everyone tipped us to play New Zealand in the Four Nations final and they beat the Kiwis.
"Sam (Burgess) hasn't played since 2010 and in `09 he blew us away. Although we won in the end it wasn't until we got away from them in the 60th minute.
"He made his name that day and now he's got his brothers and Graham with him. They've spent money preparing and they'll be confident playing at home."
"You can't discount England."
In addition to the traditional powerhouses, Sheens expects a huge impact from nations such as Tonga and Samoa, as well as Fiji - who are also in the Kangaroos' group.
All three sides will have a large NRL contingent in their starting line-ups.
"This will be the strongest contested World Cup," he said.
"With the rules relaxed that you can still play State of Origin or for Australia or New Zealand next year it's thrown out about 125 NRL players in the pool and we're only using 24 of those.
"The standard will go up considerably. This series will be very hard to win and so it should be in a World Cup."
http://www.nrl.com/year-off-boosts-sheens-world-cup-planning/tabid/10874/newsid/75067/default.aspx
- PAUL CRAWLEY
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 15, 2013 12:00AM
HE is known as the Billy Slater of the English Super League and the New Zealand Warriors thought enough of him to sign him up for a reported $750,000 a season.
But the real Billy Slater on Monday spoke up in Sam Tomkins’ defence, declaring his rival fullback deserves to be known as his own man.
The Kangaroos superstar will go head to head with Tomkins when the Aussies take on England in their opening World Cup clash on October 26.
Told of the tag put on the English try-scoring freak, Slater said: "I think that’s a little bit hard. I have been compared to people in the past too and I’m my own player. I’m sure Sam’s his own player.
"I watch a bit of video of other players and you might take a little bit here off someone and a little bit there off someone else but you build your own game.
"I’m sure Sam is building his own game and getting his own strengths and weaknesses and working them out. I don’t think he would like that too much."
But the YouTube clips suggest otherwise, with the similarities between Tomkins and Billy the Kid uncanny.
The 24-year-old is lightning fast, with a step and swerve similar to Slater at his breathtaking best.Tomkins made rugby league history as a 19-year-old when he scored five tries on debut for Wigan — his first three tries came in the opening 12 minutes.
Since then, he’s chalked up a total of 144 tries in 152 games.In 19 Tests for his country, he has scored 19 tries.
Tomkins will join the Warriors next year on a massive deal that will make him among the highest paid players in the NRL.
He signed off his stint in the English Super League with victory for Wigan in the grand final over Warrington.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...star-sam-tomkins/story-fni3gs8m-1226739792444
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Kangaroos prop Andrew Fifita misses honeymoon for start at Rugby League World Cup
- PAUL CRAWLEY
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 15, 2013 12:00AM
IT'S not the honeymoon Andrew Fifita imagined but at least the giant Kangaroos prop could see the funny side of it all.
Fifita married Nikkita on Sunday, then returned to camp on Monday to crack jokes with Jarryd Hayne before flying out for the World Cup.
"It is exciting but tough," Fifita said from Sydney Airport as the squad waited for their flight to Manchester."I just got married and we were meant to go on our honeymoon with the entire family today to Hawaii."
The 24-year-old prop wasn’t even considered a rough hope at the start of the year to make the Australian squad — but after a barnstorming season for Cronulla he was named Dally M prop of the year and is now pushing for selection for the first Test against England on October 26.
"I even offered to stay home with my family," Fifita said."I said to them, 'I want to do what is best for us'."And she said she wanted me to follow that dream of mine."I am not with them at the moment but they will be on my mind 24/7 and that is all I do when I play footy, think about my family.
"That is all I want to do."And he’s not on his own there. Billy Slater is no new kid on the block anymore with these big end-of-season trips but he admits saying goodbye to his wife and kids never gets any easier."Yeah, it’s pretty tough," Slater said."And a lot of the boys have got kids.
"Usually we go over for I think a five-week stint but this one is seven and a half weeks before we get home, so it’s pretty tough on the little ones and wives that stay back here."But that is what we do.
"We just have to get over there and get on with things."Obviously with the technology these days you can Skype your families back home, which is great.
"But we are over there to do a job for our nation and whenever we get the chance to play for our country it is pretty special. I just went away for a little bit with the family."I would have found it tough if I had to keep playing and then go straight away.
"Homesickness is probably the biggest factor, missing your family."We have just been through a winter here and we’re going to the winter over there.
"They are the little factors, but we are over there with a good bunch of fellas and we are having a good time.
"We are playing footy and we are doing what we love."At the end of the day, it’s not that hard."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...league-world-cup/story-fni3gol8-1226739861327
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More than 120 NRL stars to compete in toughest Rugby League World Cup ever
- PAUL CRAWLEY
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- OCTOBER 15, 2013 12:00AM
TIM Sheens has been at the top of rugby league coaching for 30 years and experience tells him this World Cup is going to be one of the toughest campaigns Australia have ever been involved in.
Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Burgess and more than 120 other NRL players are scattered across all the nations, waiting to ambush Australia.
The Kangaroos are the top seeds and the favourites, but the Kiwis are the reigning champs, and England are on home soil and motivated to prove in their first-up clash against the Aussies they are in it to win it.
Sheens knows everyone expects Australia to win, but that is not always the way it unfolds.
"You don’t often get the credit for it because people expect it," he agreed."But I think there is more anticipation from the Australian public in respect to guys like the Burgesses and company playing for England and certainly Sonny Bill playing for New Zealand.
"I think people, as do our players, have more of a respect for those two teams now. So there is more uncertainty and of course uncertainty brings interest.
"But we are rated and seeded number one, we have been for some time, well before my time. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you win it."And as for the competition this time round?"I think this will be one of the strongest, if not the strongest, contested World Cup," he said.
"With the relaxing of the rules so guys can play World Cup this year and still play State of Origin next year or play for Australia and New Zealand again next year, Australia have about 125 NRL players in the pool and we are only using 24 of those.
"And Super League in England are the same, so the standard will go up considerably. I think this series in Eng*land will be very hard to win.
"If you are going to win a World Cup you want to win it the hard way. You want to play the best sides. You want to test yourself."
Australia have a wonderful mix of youth and experience and there will be plenty of competition for spots in the first Test against England on October 26.
Sheens has made two trips to England this year to make sure the Aussies are fully prepared and he said he would be treating the 10-day build-up to the England game with with a "State of Origin-type intensity.
That doesn’t mean he will risk any player carrying injury after a tough season."I wouldn’t want to be putting needles in anyone for game one, put it that way," he said.
Asked if there was any doubt over Greg Inglis’s fitness, Sheens said: "Greg will be in game one."The injury he has isn’t an injury that is going to stop him playing any of the games."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e-world-cup-ever/story-fni3fbgz-1226739842357
- - - Updated - - -
Year off boosts Sheens' World Cup planning
By Ian McCullough
AAP
6:35pm Mon 14th October, 2013
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens says the bitter disappointment of being forced out of the Wests Tigers allowed him the time to leave no stone unturned in his preparations for the Rugby League World Cup.
Aside from a break of just over a year after departing North Queensland in 2001, Sheens had been in charge of a club side since 1984 before being ousted at the Tigers at the end of last season.
But Sheens, who'll celebrate his 63rd birthday four days after the October 26 tournament opener against England, has found benefits in being a full-time Test coach.
This includes picking the brains of his former assistant coach at the Tigers Peter Gentle, who coached Hull for the last two years and ex-South Sydney mentor Shaun McRae, who's been involved in the UK game in various capacities for much of the last 15 years
"I've spoke to Pete, Shaun McRae who's worked over there and David Waite who's assisting in France and have done a lot of research into the English," Sheens said.
"I don't know until they pick their side just who's going to play in that team and where.
"But I know a lot about individuals which I probably wouldn't have the luxury of had I'd been involved in club football.
"I've been able to concentrate on it a lot more, which allows me to put more time in.
"In my five years in the job this will be as best prepared team as I've ever had."
The focus has been very much on New Zealand since Sonny Bill Williams' decision to play in the tournament.
However, Sheens is very wary of the threat of England on home soil and believes Steve McNamara's side will have the confidence they can win a first World Cup since 1972 thanks to their NRL forwards contingent.
"With a full-time coach they've worked really hard to improve their national side," he said.
"Although they may not have the depth of Australia and New Zealand, in `09 and `11 everyone tipped us to play New Zealand in the Four Nations final and they beat the Kiwis.
"Sam (Burgess) hasn't played since 2010 and in `09 he blew us away. Although we won in the end it wasn't until we got away from them in the 60th minute.
"He made his name that day and now he's got his brothers and Graham with him. They've spent money preparing and they'll be confident playing at home."
"You can't discount England."
In addition to the traditional powerhouses, Sheens expects a huge impact from nations such as Tonga and Samoa, as well as Fiji - who are also in the Kangaroos' group.
All three sides will have a large NRL contingent in their starting line-ups.
"This will be the strongest contested World Cup," he said.
"With the rules relaxed that you can still play State of Origin or for Australia or New Zealand next year it's thrown out about 125 NRL players in the pool and we're only using 24 of those.
"The standard will go up considerably. This series will be very hard to win and so it should be in a World Cup."
http://www.nrl.com/year-off-boosts-sheens-world-cup-planning/tabid/10874/newsid/75067/default.aspx
Captain Planet
Trent Estatheo
wouldn't kev be considered a panthers world cup player and not knights ? ...biggest loss the knights have let go in years but im sure he will make a big impact at the panthers and in the NRL in 2014 I just hope he gets a starting spot next year he deserves it.
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I thought Jono ford even tho playing in france had ties with the roosters
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I thought Jono ford even tho playing in france had ties with the roosters
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He was selected while playing for the Knights, so technically he's representing us at the tournament.
Could easily argue either way, but the records books will say Knights.