The Rugby League World Cup. Part 2
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By Stephen Gallagher
Men’s Group C
Ireland – A couple of NRL players, but will most likely finish third in the pool. I would like to see them take it to the Kiwis. I just don’t think they’re quite at that level.
Michael Ward has a great story. I don’t really know much about this bloke other than the fact his job wouldn’t give him time off for the RLWC so he quit his job. What a legend!
George King plays very hard. No frills. A no nonsense prop who will just take it up the guts over and over again for the Irish. Will help set a solid platform for Luke Keary in the halves.
Jamaica – I know nothing about Jamaica’s international rugby league prospects other than the fact they are called the Reggae Warriors and that’s a cool name. Won’t win a game but they have cool uniforms.
The backbone of this side are Ben and Aaron Jones-Bishop. These brothers have plenty of talent between them and will wear the green, yellow and black with pride.
Lebanon – The Cedars were the darlings of the last RLWC. Former Wallabies and current Pumas coach Michael Cheika has the reigns for them here and will no doubt have them raring to go.
Abbas Miski is a Josh Mansour look-alike chiselled from granite. Strong ball runner off his line and can steamroll his way to the try line.
Jacob Kiraz had a strong debut season for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. I want to see him take his game to another level on the international stage. A big bloke who is not afraid of contact.
New Zealand – This is the most in form squad that New Zealand have ever produced for a tournament. The pressure is on them to bury the demons and mistakes of 2017 and beat Australia in the semi-final this year.
They have such an easy run, that’s my only concern around preparation.
Sebastian Kris scored a hat-trick in 40 minutes in the warm-up match, and looks like he’ll start in the centres. He will grow better and stronger with every performance in this side.
Joey Manu is just *chefs kiss*. No fault’s in his game and ran 400 metres against Tonga earlier this year. His involvement in the game will always spin it in the Kiwis favour.
Men’s Group D
Cook Islands – The Cookies will find it tough to bring it all together for 80 minutes. Most likely will finish last in their pool but definitely have the capability to snare a win against Wales.
Steven Masters is one of those players who should have played more NRL than he has. At only age 22, I believe he’s a very good young outside-back. Will score a few tries in this tournament and hopefully will get a professional contract again.
Pride Pettersen-Robati should have played in the NRL with his two years at the Warriors and it’s criminal he didn’t. Captained the Cook Islands in their mid-year test. Ridiculous ability and hard hitter.
Papua New Guinea – The Kumuls always entertain whenever they play. One of two countries in the world where rugby league is their national game (The other is the Cook Islands funnily enough). They should finish second in the pool, and will bruise plenty of opposition doing so.
Edene Gebbie will flourish on the wing for PNG. He’s going to score plenty of tries and will do so emphatically. Keep an eye on him.
Rhyse Martin should not be playing in the Super League. He’s one of the best goal kickers, and is a great second-rower. Hopefully he can earn back a chance to play in the NRL.
Wales – Much like Ireland, they have plenty of battlers in this side. Won’t cause much fuss, but will be a good for an entertaining half of footy.
Caleb Aekins is a great fullback. Debuting in the NRL for Penrith in 2018, and didn’t get much of a chance before moving to Canberra last saeson. Scored 10 tries for Leigh this year. Plenty of pace.
Rhys Evans, Ben Evans, Kyle Evans, Will Evans – surely one of these Evans’ will provide some goods to watch. I don’t think they’re all related, but I hope they all play in one game together because that’d be funny.
Tonga – Ahhh, this is a big tournament for Mate Ma’a Tonga. They will feel the heat of their 2017 success, but were very poor against the Kiwis mid-year. Will top the pool with ease, and then they will have got some momentum for the playoffs. Will be hard to stop at that time.
Soni Luke will be the next Penrith hooker, and I can’t wait to see what he will bring to the world cup. Great vision and knows when to run and when to pass.
Moses Suli missed the last eight weeks of the NRL season due to injury. He will cause some issues with his size and speed. A force to be reckoned with.
This World Cup you can’t look past New Zealand or Australia. Sadly, they will meet in the semi-finals, which is why it’s good money for England or Samoa/Tonga to make it through too.
Bias as all hell – but the Kiwis are going to win. There. I said it.
Now, let’s see how well this ages.
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