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“Changed eligibility rules have thrown up multiple challenges, including threats to the future of the Kangaroos, who play the Kiwis in the World Cup final on Sunday.”

“Left-handed Western Australian rookie Corey Wasley, another of the talent-packed 2024 under-19 World Cup team, responded with 179 not out from 337 deliveries, patience being of valuable virtue.”

“This is what the Rugby League World Cup is all about.”

“Glassie Glassie Coach: Karmichael Hunt Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s Rugby League World Cup clash between Australia and the Cook Islands in Townsville.”

“Now, he has his work cut out containing the playmaker’s influence as the Kangaroos attempt to maintain a 72-year World Cup record.”

““The Foxx” would have been an almost certain selection for the Kangaroos’ World Cup campaign, given he was an incumbent Test star and the lack of specialist wing options in coach Kevin Walters’ side.”

“The Queensland State of Origin star was instrumental to the club’s deep finals run in 2026, deploying his electric running and lethal try-scoring skills, which also earned him a call-up to Samoa’s Rugby League World Cup squad.”

“There’s a new ‘Volk’ in town, and Samoan coach Ben Gardiner has backed rising five-eighth Ronald Volkman to step up to the plate for next Sunday’s World Cup semi-final showdown against the Kangaroos.”

“The Kangaroos head into Sunday’s World Cup semi-final with a forgotten trump card – a fit Latrell Mitchell.”

“It’s hard to do while you’re in here because the task at hand is winning the World Cup.”

“Peter Lowing, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Small world As a regular viewer of rugby league and a loyal Rabbitohs supporter, it pains me to point out the deficiencies of the current World Cup competition (“Walters mulls spinal tap as pressure on players…”

“Tigers and Fiji flier Api Koroisau was ruled out of the remainder of Fiji's Rugby League World Cup match against the Kiwis after suffering a suspected broken jaw in the first half.”

“They come across as humble, hard-working and completely committed to climbing the mountain that lies ahead as they build to next year’s home World Cup.”

“I had a brief dabble with rugby league before realising I possessed a neck, which seemed to rule out that particular code.”

“The players get updates, so they’re not really talking directly with clubs or coaches, and even if they are, it’s all part and parcel of being a rugby league player.”

“Fainu, 28, is set to be released on parole on Friday after spending almost four years behind bars, and will spend his first few days of freedom watching his younger brother, Latu, and his former Tongan teammates play in the World Cup against Samoa on Sunday.”

“James Tedesco made a pretty decent case to keep the Kangaroos’ No. 1 jersey after he played a pivotal role in saving Australia from a World Cup embarrassment against Fiji.”

“It has also argued players should get a cut of the $100m fee coming to RA for co-hosting the men’s World Cup next year.”

“Dual international Lote Tuqiri says rugby officials have erred by leaving Zac Lomax out of Australia A’s side to play the United States and believes fellow code-hopper Mark Nawaqanitawase has shown courage by considering a switch to Italy or Fiji for the…”

“The PNG Chiefs approached All Blacks star Damian McKenzie about a shock code switch after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”

“At the Rugby League World Cup, the Fiji Bati’s pre-match performance before their opening game – an a cappella hymn, then their anthem – combined soaring vocal harmonies with a raw display of faith and national pride.”

“But he insists he is in no rush to cement his future while in camp for the World Cup.”

“That’s the motivation driving Mark Nawaqanitawase’s decision regarding his international availability 12 months out from next year’s Rugby World Cup on Australian soil.”

“Bai was ruled out of the PNG Kumuls’ World Cup squad due to a hamstring injury, but has arrived in Port Moresby on Wednesday to discuss the prospect of becoming the Chiefs’ eighth signing.”

“The Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup drought might have stretched to 24 years, but dual international Michael O’Connor believes Mark Nawaqanitawase’s extraordinary two-year stint in rugby league proves the 15-a-side game in Australia still produces world-class talent.”

“Fresh from celebrating the NRL premiership with the Sydney Roosters, where he was an assistant to Trent Robinson, Cheika will finish up in rugby league at the end of the World Cup.”

“It has been three years since James Tedesco last donned the Kangaroos colours – an absence that has not deterred him from clinching the highest accolades rugby league has to offer.”

“The Eddie Jones appointment and the World Cup disaster, the Joe Schmidt repair job and the somewhat awkward handover to Les Kiss – three coaches in four years in a turbulent period whose origins can be easily traced back to the decision to sack Dave Rennie.”

“As the Rugby League World Cup kicks off in spectacular fashion with the Kangaroos taking on the Kiwis on Thursday night, we run our eye over the contenders for the biggest prize on the international stage.”

“…ie says there was a cultural divide between the Wallabies and Rugby Australia before his sacking as Australian coach in 2023, and that he felt sorry for the players while watching a potentially promising Rugby World Cup campaign turn to dust later in the…”

“Walsh sought game-changing plays in his country’s 24-22 triumph to launch the Rugby League World Cup – and there were faults, including a drop-out that soared out on the full and was penalised.”

“To understand why Samoa are being talked about as a genuine Rugby League World Cup threat, you need only look at the combined 20 NRL premiership rings their players have won.”

“A fortnight ago, RUPA’s chief executive Adrian Turner went public with his unhappiness with Rugby Australia over a new pay deal, and in particular the issue of the World Cup windfall.”

“Jillaroos star Jessica Sergis said a fourth-straight world cup triumph, on Aussie soil, would be the "cherry on top" for a squad she conceded is "getting a bit older".”

“More than half a dozen All Blacks – including Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea and Cam Roigard – were on hand during the Kiwis’ captain’s run on Wednesday ahead of their tournament-opening Rugby League World Cup clash against the Kangaroos.”

““I’m pretty good at only worrying about what’s going on in my life and my circle, and we know in rugby league how things can change quickly in 12 months,””

“The return was also driven by Nawaqanitawase’s desire to play at the Rugby World Cup next year in Australia.”

“Kiss said the Wallabies would try to be at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, where 40,000 fans are expected to watch the Rugby League World Cup opener between the Kangaroos and New Zealand, before the Wallabies take on the All Blacks on Saturday.”

“Australian captain Isaah Yeo speaks as the Kangaroos keep people guessing as to whether Reece Walsh or James Tedesco will play at fullback in the team's World Cup opener.”

“It is difficult not to get excited about the collision coming on Thursday night in the World Cup opener.”

“Having been inspired by Nathan Cayless’s world championship-winning side in 2008, the Melbourne Storm halfback is hoping his 2026 class can build on rugby league’s wave of momentum running through the Shaky Isles by toppling Australia.”

“… be without star centre Len Ikitau for the second Bledisloe Cup clash in Sydney on Saturday, but a three-week delay in World Rugby outlawing hip drop tackles is set to help key backrower Rob Valetini avoid a potential suspension that could have even stretched…”

“The Bears have also struggled to assemble a top-shelf playing squad and there has been continuing speculation of friction between Meninga and Gardiner, who is coaching Samoa at the World Cup and appears regularly on Sydney radio.”

“Instead, he’s the best part of 200 kilometres south at Coogee Beach with the Kiwi squad for the Rugby League World Cup, and there’s nowhere else the New Zealand-raised fullback would rather be.”

“He is the uncapped attacking livewire who boasts one of rugby league’s most enviable try-scoring records.”

“The All Blacks have lost at other home venues, of course, but never at Eden Park; including winning the Rugby World Cup final in 2011.”

“Walsh refused to give up on his World Cup dream despite initially suffering what was thought to be a season-ending injury.”

“The Rugby League World Cup is expected to be the last time Kangaroos players are paid $40,000 – and the rest of the nations $850 a Test – with the pay gap to be addressed in the next collective bargaining agreement.”

“The Roosters will just have to live with the fact that most of the rugby league community don’t believe they, already premiership contenders, were able to recruit Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson and remain under the salary cap.”

“World Rugby has a year to sort out this mess before the Rugby World Cup in Australia.”

“Before his two-season sojourn in Japanese rugby, and a likely tilt with the Wallabies at next year’s Rugby World Cup, Nawaqanitawase has one rather significant piece of business left in rugby league.”

“They were concerned he might finish his career with “just” two NRL premierships, and whether that was enough for a man who had done everything in rugby league and so much for the Tricolours.”

“Ferguson’s touch football background has seeped into her rugby league career – finishing third for dummy-half runs in 2026 (52) and equal-first across the past three seasons (148) – and has cast her eye towards an Aiken reunion for Australia at this year’s…”

““He creates like no one else can,” says McKinnon, who believes the 22-year-old should be picked for Australia’s World Cup campaign.”

“Then there is the most prized acquisition of the Roosters’ class of ’26 – wing sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase, who was lured to the club after the Wallabies’ disastrous World Cup campaign in 2023 in an effective switch with rugby-bound Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.”

“…Kiss has questioned the severity of a four-game ban imposed on centre Hunter Paisami, while stressing in-form Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and rugby-bound teammate Angus Crichton will have to earn their spots in the Wallabies’ World Cup squad next…”

“Crossland’s suspension will be completed during the pool stage of the World Cup if New Zealand notifies the International Rugby League that he would have been selected.”

“Papenhuyzen has landed a gig with Channel Seven for the Rugby League World Cup, starting next month.”

“And as he lines up alongside one of his closest friends for one last grand-final hurrah, before making that long-coming return to rugby with the 2027 World Cup in mind, he can point to a wonderful memento that neatly sums up his Roosters career in two photos.”

“Best has put off a wedding date in the hope he will be called up for the Kangaroos squad for the season-ending Rugby League World Cup.”

“Cleary said it was too early to determine whether Nathan would be fit for Australia selection for the season-ending Rugby League World Cup.”

“A change in the international eligibility rules will allow him to represent the Kiwis for the first time at the season-ending Rugby League World Cup.”

“He’ll get his first look next month when he tours with Samoa for the Rugby League World Cup.”

“If not for a bold gamble to venture into the unknown and away from rugby league’s most dominant juggernaut, Isaiya Katoa’s meteoric rise may never have eventuated.”

“Isaah Yeo feared his season was over after he ruptured his pectoral muscle but wants to delay surgery to lead Australia in the World Cup, and is hopeful of closing in on a multi-year contract extension with the Panthers.”

“Crichton has a two-year Rugby Australia contract and potentially the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, but he’ll still be calling Allianz Stadium home throughout the year with the Waratahs, most likely as a hard-running, sky-blue No.12.”

“That last line means rugby competitions in New Zealand are still more watched than the NRL despite Warriors-mania (and the viewing figures exclude All Blacks Tests), but you get the point: rugby league is a big thing across the ditch.”

“Chanel Harris-Tavita One of the best young halves New Zealand has produced in years, Harris-Tavita shocked rugby league when he quit at the end of 2022 to go travelling.”

“The 31-year-old was selected in the Kangaroos train-on squad for the Rugby League World Cup, but it’s unclear if and when he will play professionally again.”