RLWC 2026

So picked for international squads so far

1 Ponga
2 Young
3 Gagai
4 Best
5 Marzhew
6
7
8 Saifiti
9 Crossland
10 Saulo
11 McEwen
12 Manuleleua
13 Frizzel

14 Jacob Taulani

Harry Graham has also dropped out of the USA squad due to a clash with childbirth
 
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Just mentioned on the tv news that apparently Crossland will be with the squad, but can only play if injuries occur. So I assume the first three games must still count as part of his suspension and wipe that out?

Seems a bit weird.
 
Here's a blurb from an article, still a bit unclear ... might count towards his suspension if the Kiwis get an injury, but otherwise not. Or will there be a pre-planned "injury" come the semis haha:

The biggest surprise was the inclusion of just one specialist hooker in Jeremy Marshall-King, with Phoenix Crossland serving a suspension that meant he wouldn’t be available until the semi-finals should the Kiwis make it that far, while Brandon Smith made himself unavailable.

While not selected, Jones said Crossland could still be picked should any injuries arise.

It leaves the Kiwis in a pickle for the pool stages as Kodi Nikorima, Te Maire Martin or possibly Erin Clark will have to spend time covering dummy half.
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www.nzherald.co.nz

Ponga among four debutants in Kiwis World Cup squad, one specialist hooker selected

Both the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have named 23-strong squads for the Rugby League World Cup.
www.nzherald.co.nz www.nzherald.co.nz
 
101k said:
Holy **** that kiwis pack is insane, the skip behind that pack. Golden boot incoming ?
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I reckon barring injury Kalyn is a shoe-in for the Golden Boot.

First tournament for NZ, star studded forward pack and a Kiwis side without Brown means he's probably going to do the bulk of the playmaking, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see them adapt a similar setup to Newcastle.

(Ponga in his own role, Hughes in the Sharpe role and Nikorima in the Smith role)
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
I would have picked Carrigan but yeah Cotter is awful. He’s not good.

I think there is legit a chance Bradman gets a run on the wing, the cupboard is bare for wingers atm and he can catch.
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I really hope Bradman gets first shot at left centre but I struggle to see Walters picking anyone but Latrell, especially given he picked Shiba of all people over Bradman last year.

With that in mind, I really am hoping that they pick Bradman on the left wing. He deserves a test debut, especially after not getting a run during the Ashes last year, and if he performs on the wing for the Kangaroos, that will inevitably put him in conversations for the left wing spot in Origin - which is important as he literally couldn't have done any more in his 3 Origins to date yet Latrell probably remains the preferred option for Blues selectors as well.

I don't intend that to be critique of Latrell, he's almost an incomparable attacking proposition when fit and on form so I understand the allure, but Bradman is seemingly barred from unseating Latrell given how well he has performed for NSW. I also reckon Bradman could easily be phenomenal on the Wing, especially if given the opportunity to get reps there in camp.
 
Sounds like Best will be overlooked again, they're training with Mitchell and Staggs as the centres. Best was on the wing but likely just standing in for Turbo who wasn't training.
 
mullenmagic said:
Sounds like Best will be overlooked again, they're training with Mitchell and Staggs as the centres. Best was on the wing but likely just standing in for Turbo who wasn't training.
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That is ridiculous. Best and Farnworth have been 2 best centres in the game and he certainly had a better year than Katoni. Kevvies broncos relationship is clouding his judgement. Best has every right to be filthy
 
Solway90 said:
That is ridiculous. Best and Farnworth have been 2 best centres in the game and he certainly had a better year than Katoni. Kevvies broncos relationship is clouding his judgement. Best has every right to be filthy
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Nothing to do with staggs though, best is only ever going to play on the left.
 
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