2017 Rugby League World Cup

It won't surprise me one bit if World Cup is Cronks swan song, in fact I think it will be.
Think he hasn't announced his decision for 2018 as he wanted to play cup and then announce his decision, besides with Thurston out the selectors would have wanted him in the team.
 
JASON TAUMALOLO SNUBS KIWIS TO PLAY FOR TONGA


Tyson Otto, news.com.au
12 minutes ago


NEW Zealand’s World Cup campaign is in disarray after superstar prop Jason Taumalolo announced his intent to defect to Tonga.

According to a report, Taumalolo, has already told the New Zealand Rugby League he will not be involved in their World Cup campaign and will instead play for Tonga.

The 24-year-old superstar played for the Kiwis during their loss to Australia in the mid-season Test Match in Canberra and his change of heart is a hammer blow to New Zealand’s chances of challenging Australia at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

In an embarrassing coincidence for the Kiwis, they will now have to play against Taumalolo when they play Tonga during the group stage of the world cup on November 11 at Waikato Stadium.

Taumalolo’s shock exit comes after the Kiwis have already lost a host of star players for the tournament, including star playmaker Kieran Foran.

The Kiwis will also be withourt star forwards Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor, who were stood down from international honours by the New Zealand Rugby League following their alleged involvement in a cocaine incident earlier this season while representing the New Zealand national team.

The Daily Telegraph reports Taumalolo’s decision to walk out on New Zealand is directly linked to coach David Kidwell’s decision to overlook Bromwich and Kidwell from the New Zealand world cup squad.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...a/news-story/a91529c9ed1a02104e9bf312accb0ced
 
PNG Kumuls World Cup Squad

David Mead – Brisbane Broncos (captain)

Ase Boas – SP PNG Hunters (vice-captain)

Enock Maki – SP PNG Hunters

Gary Lo – Sheffield Eagles

James Segeyaro – Cronulla Sharks

Justin Olam – Melbourne Storm

Kato Otio – Canberra Raiders

Kurt Baptiste – Canberra Raiders

Lachlan Lam – Sydney Roosters

Luke Page – Burleigh Bears

Moses Meninga – SP PNG Hunters

Nene MacDonald – St. George Illawarra Dragons

Nixon Put – SP PNG Hunters

Paul Aiton – Catalans Dragons

Rhys Martin – Canterbury Bulldogs

Rod Griffin – Canterbury Bulldogs

Stanton Albert – SP PNG Hunters

Stargroth Amean – SP PNG Hunters

Thompson Teteh – Redcliffe Dolphins

Wartovo Puara Jnr – SP PNG Hunters

Wellington Albert – SP PNG Hunters

Watson Boas – SP PNG Hunters

Willie Minoga – SP PNG Hunters
 
Luke has been a non factor for 2 years in a row now. Commentators & fans were able to recognize Levi as an upcoming talent this year, his running game got us on a roll plenty of times. The Kiwis have had enough of Luke now I think, much like how they refused to pick Benji. The Warriors have fared atrociously for the spine they had. Unless they randomly find their groove, I fear Shaun Johnson's career will go down as wasted potential, imagine how good he could be at one of the top clubs.
 
From the Daily Telegraph

Tui Lolohea (Wests Tigers), Solomone Kata (Warriors), Konrad Hurrell (Titans), Manu Vatuvei (Salford), Manu Ma’u (Eels) and David Fusitu’a (Warriors) are ready to walk away from the Kiwis and make themselves available for Tonga.

On Wednesday night, Sydney Roosters’ Sio Siua Taukeiaho, who has one cap for New Zealand, confirmed he will play for Tonga.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...c/news-story/d1669790cfbef98d2aec16ef6c52e69a
 
Tonga has named their squad, I reckon they will top their group

Andrew Fifita
Mahe Fonua
David Fusitu’a
Siliva Havilli
Ata Hingano
Will Hopoate
Konrad Hurrell
Michael Jennings
Solomone Kata
Sione Katoa
Samisoni Langi
Tuimoala Lolohea
Sika Manu
Manu Ma'u
Sam Moa
Ben Murdoch Masila
Joe Ofahengaue
Tevita Pangai jnr
Ukuma Ta'ai
Sio Siua Taukieaho
Jason Taumalolo
Peni Terepo
Daniel Tupou
Manu Vatuvei
 
Wow Tonga going in heavy. I've always thought with the amount of islanders in the NRL, they should be just as strong as Samoa but in a lot of tournaments they end up going bad. This should be one of their strongest teams.
 
New Zealand World Cup squad

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Dallin Watene Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers)
Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders)
Gerard Beale (Cronulla Sharks/Warriors)
Brad Takairangi (Parramatta Eels)
Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)
Peta Hiku (Warrington Wolves)
Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors)
Kodi Nikorima (Brisbane Broncos)
Te Maire Martin (North Queensland Cowboys)
Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights)
Adam Blair (Brisbane Broncos/Warriors, captain)
Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)
Russell Packer (St George Illawarra Dragons/Wests Tigers)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Many Sea Eagles)
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm)
Simon Mannering (Warriors)
Kenny Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)
Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters)
Elijah Taylor (Wests Tigers)


http://www.nrl.com/kiwis-world-cup-squad-named/tabid/10874/newsid/113744/default.aspx
 
Well done to the knights selected so far but especially Danny Levi, What an experience for him

Aiden Guerra was selected but has withdrawn, I included Dane and Pete even though they won't be here next year

All squads need to be finalized by October 13th

Jack Johns (Italy)
Danny Levi (New Zealand)
Josh Ralph (Wales)
Dane Gagai (Australia)
Peter Mata'utia (Samoa)
Herman Ese'ese (Samoa)
 
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I think it will be a great experience for them all but especially happy for Danny - it might be luck that gets him the start ahead of Brandon Smith but hopefully he can step up and grasp his chance.

From what I've heard, I understand Guerra withdrew because he wants to get settled in to Newie and ready for the pre-season with his new club...that is a positive that he is bringing that attitude with him.

We've also got to expect that Jacob Saifiti gets a jersey for Fiji and Sione, Pete Mat and Moga are going to be picked for Samoa.

Exciting to get Knights players gaining international experience - just no injuries please?!
 
Levi will get a massive amount out of this.
Playing and training with a big 3 squad will give him as much development as the whole 2017 season with us IMO.
He is the type of player who will get the most out of this - young, first senior rep squad, been playing in a **** squad etc.
 
So why only one hooker in NZ team , the young Storm player injured, Griffin our new signing, hooker/fill in any where in pack not mentioned. If as good, super back up to Smith, why not in squad, they lack something in that position.
Love to hear discussion, thoughts especially based on his toughness, versatility etc
 
Afro Zac said:
You absolute pr!ck Meninga! He only selected RCG to weaken Fiji. Willing to bet my right nut...

Hopefully he backflips as well just for the World Cup.
Click to expand...

He's been in great form. Fiji will weaken themselves when the Hayne plane touches down.
 
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