RL World Cup 2017 Thread...* SPOILERS

[Russell]

Think you are wrong on a number of fronts Ben.

Scott was not available for the World Cup to start with.

The second best full back on form in 2017 was Boyd (needed as a replacement if Slater goes down). He is also a pretty handy winger and has played for Australia on the wing a number of times. So no place at full back for Tedesco and he is not as good on the wing as Boyd, Holmes, Trbojevic or Gagai. In fact he has failed on the wing a number of times. He is not in the same class in the centre as Chambers, Dugan or Gagai. His form in 2017 was not anything to write home about, in fact if he was playing in a top four team the way he played for us he would have been dropped to reserve grade. That in a nutshell was why he is not in the squad.

My only beef is the selection of Fifita and Graham - their form does not deserve selection but they are lucky in that there is no one else better (subjective).

 

[Geo]

Matt Scott ruled himself out saying he could have played 30 odd minutes in a game but was unfit for a month long World Cup campaign..

Incumbents have always been given preference …the Squad selected is a very strong one and will get the job done without to much fuss..

 

[jadtiger]

To be honest Tedesco has only himself to blame for his non selection.His selfish play in not passing the ball and running constantly sideways looking for a gap is not what selectors would be looking for.At his best he would have walked into the squad but he did not play to that level this year.

 

[GoldXR50Leroy]

The only good thing to come out of this that the Minnow Nations will be able to call on some real NRL talent to bolster their Ranks, Italy will greatly benefit from Teddy's inclusion if he chooses to be selected

 

[tig_prmz]

if you are the second best, you need to be versatile and teddy hasn't shown it yet.

that's the reason billy wasn't chosen in Origin 1 this year either.

that being said, i'd have chosen another hooker to replace smith who's played about 30 games for 80 minutes in the middle this year.

 

[Chris]

Lol @ Noffa and Johnstone. I love Noffa, but come on.

This is exactlywhy I have no interest in the Australian team and havent had interest for several years now. I hate that you dont have to play Origin to be selected for the Australian team. I couldnt care less who makes this squad.

Since when has Origin been a pre-requisite for selection for the Australian Kangaroos..?

Since when do you pick an International team outside the best players that were selected to play for their state? How can someone be good enough to represent their country but not good enough for their state?

 

[Geo]

Lol @ Noffa and Johnstone. I love Noffa, but come on.

This is exactlywhy I have no interest in the Australian team and havent had interest for several years now. I hate that you dont have to play Origin to be selected for the Australian team. I couldnt care less who makes this squad.

Since when has Origin been a pre-requisite for selection for the Australian Kangaroos..?

Since when do you pick an International team outside the best players that were selected to play for their state? How can someone be good enough to represent their country but not good enough for their state?

Well if not for injury at the time of Origin Tom Trbojevic would have played ….probably should have in Game 3 but Laurie is an Imbo...Felise Kafusi was 18th man for QLD and has been one of the form back rowers all year....from the winning Grand Final team... McLean was 18th Man for the Test in April and 18th man for Origin..All the rest of those selected have played Origin this year..

Both players replaced Ferguson and Thaiday in the squad ...both of those players although playing Origin were down on form....

It's not like Mal has picked way out of left field selections...I have no problem with the squad he has chosen..

 

[Tiger_Watto]

My only concern with the squad is I think we should have a specialist Dummy Half as back-up for Cameron Smith. Hunt is a fair 'back-up' selection for a one off Test knowing Smith is fit, but as you cant bring in players once the tournament starts, I feel this is a poor selection.

What if Smith is out after 1 game versus Zimbabwe? Surely Hunt isnt the 2nd best specialist DH?

 

[Onthebus]

Zimbabwe is a powerhouse in league

 

[The-moP]

Jason Taumalolo turns his back on the Kiwis and will play for Tonga in the World Cup .. wow .. !!

As well as the 2016 Dally M Medallist and undisputed best forward in the NRL, Tonga are also likely to include Michael Jennings, Will Hopoate, Tui Lolohea, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Addin Fonua-Blake, Daniel Tupou, Sika Manu and Konrad Hurrell.

 

[WestsBenTigers]

Jason Taumalolo turns his back on the Kiwis and will play for Tonga in the World Cup .. wow .. !!

As well as the 2016 Dally M Medallist and undisputed best forward in the NRL, Tonga are also likely to include Michael Jennings, Will Hopoate, Tui Lolohea, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Addin Fonua-Blake, Daniel Tupou, Sika Manu and Konrad Hurrell.

Tonga a going to be a very strong side with Taumalalo, Tui and Taukeiaho

I think this World Cup is going to be closer than expected. Australia will still be undefeated and win the final, but I think NZ & England are in some strife with plenty of other nations gaining NRL talent. The likes of Italy, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Scotland could all do some damage to the hopes of New Zealand & England.

Can't wait for the World Cup followed by the Ashes

 

[WT2K]

Who'd want to play for Kidwell.. good choice by taumalalo

 

[Harvey]

He just wants the extra couple of weeks holiday

 

[diedpretty]

Wow i didn't see this coming - apparently upset at Proctor and Bromwich being dumped by Kidwell - has opted to play for Tonga.

 

[tiger05premier]

Good

 

[diedpretty]

Wow i didn't see this coming - apparently upset at Proctor and Bromwich being dumped by Kidwell - has opted to play for Tonga.

Also wants to help Tonga as an emerging nation.

 

[tiger05premier]

Wow i didn't see this coming - apparently upset at Proctor and Bromwich being dumped by Kidwell - has opted to play for Tonga.

Also wants to help Tonga as an emerging nation.

That's good to see but without the help of the best pacific islanders from all small countries NZ grow weakerand Aus chances of winning easily grow.

Not that the aussies really looked like struggling in the 1st place

 

[WT2K]

Good choice

 

[WestsBenTigers]

Imagine how good the Aussies would be with Taumalalo!

We would then have the best player in every position=Unbeatable

 

[WT2K]

Apparently the kiwis told JWH last week he was in then to change their mind a week later… Shambles