*Official* Rugby League World Cup 2013

[James]

Doesn't seem to be a thread on this yet and its starting next month.

Rugby League World Cup 2013 Fixtures

Still wonder why they bother with a World Cup personally, when only 3 countries actually play the game but anyway....

Anyone think this needs a dedicated forum rather than a dedicated thread?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Reckon we'll probably be ok with a thread, myself.

&, to be fair, it is five nations who play it. It's PNG's national sport &,whilst the French enclave is small, it is undeniably extant. Their team will be mostly made of actual Frenchmen, as opposed to the Aussies/Kiwis/Poms with a qualifying grandparent who make up the rest of the other squads.

One of the same, Italy (without a single native Italian), actually have a pretty decent looking squad. Could surprise a few.

But, realistically, a Kangaroo win with England as runners-up looks fairly nailed on, especially with NZ's ropey record in Blighty is factored in.

 

[Coronis]

If we lose two World Cup's in a row that'll be shocking. Don't get to watch much Super League, will be good to see some of their players, as well as seeing how the other nations go. I wonder if any of Sammy's brothers will make it to the English side. Does anyone know how good the coverage in Aus will be? Probably only show matches Australia is involved in... but I'd love to watch all of them.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Thing is, Sam aside, all the Burgess boys are pretty much specialist props.

Assuming fitness Morley will be one of our props, so they're all competing with the likes of Carvell, Hock and Crabtree for the other prop and interchange spots.

 

[NUFAN]

Also add in James Graham too. I think George Burgess will make the squad, but I don't watch ESL so it is probably lucky I'm not an English selector.

Some of the pacific island countries will be reasonably competitive, they will have many NRL players in their lineups.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

So basically after the opening game we wait a month till the next meaningful match in the semi final between NZ and the losers of the opening game. Seems a long drawn out competition with so few decent sides.

 

[Hurricane]

can't argue with brumby's predictions. If SBW plays look for him to be worth 6 points, Our 7 will hurt us. Our 9 will be our best player,

 

[NUFAN]

can't argue with brumby's predictions. If SBW plays look for him to be worth 6 points, Our 7 will hurt us. Our 9 will be our best player,

Why will Shaun Johnson hurt you? He is a quality footballer who has had an excellent season.

 

[Coronis]

Is Roby still playing well in England? Always liked him.

 

[Furball]

I'm pissed off Sky don't have the rights to this.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm pissed off Sky don't have the rights to this.

They don't.

The BBC are showing some of the games (all England games and the finals) and Premier Sports are showing the rest.

 

[Furball]

They don't.

The BBC are showing some of the games (all England games and the finals) and Premier Sports are showing the rest.

I know they don't, hence my post.

 

[Prince EWS]

I know they don't, hence my post.

Read it as "I'll be pissed off if.." for some reason.

 

[dermo]

Brumby is off his head, NZ are balls deep in this

****s like SBW, RST, Foran, Johnson, Locke, JWH are quality

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah NZ will have a great squad for sure.

Someone like RTS might not even get a game with Nightingale, Vatuvei, Perrett, Hoffman all potential wing options and Hoffman would act as the backup fullback too if Locke is actually ahead of him which is debatable.

The 6,7,9 combo of Foran+Johnson+Luke is quality too. They would want those 3 to stay fit as Leuluai is the only genuine player that NZ would feel comfortable enough performing in those key play maker positions. Good grunt up front too with JWH, Matulino, McKendry, Bromwich..

 

[uvelocity]

benjeh

 

[NUFAN]

benjeh

Dead (to the game) I'm afraid.

 

[James]

Doubt SBW will play, he's off back to Union isn't he at the close of the NRL season?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Have to pick him if he's available, IMHO.

If NZ won, would he be the first player to have union and league WC winners' medals?

Guess Brad Thorn the other possible, but dunno if he was playing for the 'Roos in 2000.

 

[NUFAN]

I hope SBW plays..

This is the sort of squad I expect to see and I think overall it is a good one.

1 Kevin LOCKE
2 Jason NIGHTINGALE
3 Shaun KENNY DOWALL
4 Dean WHARE
5 Manu VATUVEI
6 Kieran FORAN
7 Shaun JOHNSON
8 Jesse BROMWICH
9 Issac LUKE
10 Jared WAEREA-HARGREAVES
11 Sonny Bill WILLIAMS
12 Kevin PROCTOR
13 Simon MANNERING

14 Elijah TAYLOR
15 Ben MATULINO
16 Frank PRITCHARD
17 Sam MCKENDRY

18 Sam PERRETT 19 Alex GLENN 20 Sam RAPIRA 21 Thomas LEULUAI 22 Josh HOFFMAN 23 Lewis BROWN 24 Greg EASTWOOD

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Adam Blair, Konrad Hurrell, Tohu Harris and Frank Paul Nuuausala are in the mix.

EDIT - Take out Lewis Brown from the squad if Jeremy Smith is still available (he probably should start at 13, Mannering to 12 and Proctor/Pritchard fight it out for a bench spot).