Three hundred and eighty-four players, sixteen nations, four groups, one world champion…and that’s just the men’s tournament.
The 2021 Rugby League World Cup kicks off on Saturday 15 October, culminating with the men’s and women’s finals played as a double-header in Manchester one month later. Yes, it is called the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, albeit played in 2022.
Australia is the defending champion having defeated England 6-nil in the 2017 decider at Suncorp Stadium. The Kangaroos thumped Fiji to qualify for the final, while England scraped past Tonga.
Teams getting to the last eight in 2017 also included New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Lebanon.
Lebanon, coached by now NSW Origin boss Brad Fittler and captained by Wests Tigers legend, Robbie Farah, attracted plenty of local support during the 2017 World Cup. Also in the Cedars’ team was current Wests Tigers prop Alex Twal, and a little-known fella called Adam Doueihi.
The 2017 event thrust Doueihi into the spotlight for the first time. He would make his NRL debut with South Sydney the following year, before joining Wests Tigers a couple of seasons later.
Five years on from World Cup anonymity, Doueihi is now one of the Cedars’ highest profile players, and someone Wests Tigers fans will be watching closely.
There are other players involved in this year’s event who also have close connections to the Wests Tigers club.
Kelma Tuilagi, who played 27 games across two seasons with Wests Tigers, will represent Samoa, as will his 2022 club teammate, Fa’amanu Brown.
Western Suburbs have quite a few players scattered across several teams, players who this year played for the Magpies in either the NSW Cup or Ron Massey Cup competitions.
Greece will field a team with players from all over the world, drawing on talent from the NRL and several lower-tier competitions. Outside back John Mitsias will line up for the Titans after playing a handful of NSW Cup games this season for Western Suburbs, as will second-rower Jake Kambos who played for the Magpies in the Ron Massey Cup.
Yet to make his NRL debut is Henry O’Kane, a Balmain junior who signed a development contract with the club this season after progressing through Wests Tigers pathways teams. The 20-year-old backrower who played his junior football with Holy Cross Rhinos, will be lining up for Ireland.
Another Balmain junior who is making solid progress through Wests Tigers pathways is Lebanon representative, Mikey Tannous. Tannous is a young halfback/hooker who played a key role for Wests Tigers in the Jersey Flegg Cup this season.
Joining Tannous and Doueihi in the Cedars’ squad is Andrew Kazzi, a backrower who played for the Magpies this year in the Ron Massey Cup.
Highlights: Ngutlik try for PNG
Jimmy Ngutlik is another player at the World Cup with Wests Tigers connections. The powerful winger played in the NSW Cup this season for the Magpies. He’ll line up for Papua New Guinea, after recently playing against the Australia PM’s XIII in Brisbane.
Fiji will field a very strong squad featuring a host of NRL players including Wests Tigers recruit, Api Koroisau. Also in the Fiji squad is Netane Masima, a halfback for Wests Magpies this year in the Ron Massey Cup.
Another key signing for 2023 is Isaiah Papali’i who’ll line for New Zealand. He’s one of six NRL Grand Final players in Michael Maguire’s 24-man squad, which has been installed as second favourites to lift the World Cup on Saturday 19 November.
Australia’s Jillaroos are also expected to feature in the double-header at Old Trafford on the final day of the event.
A couple of very familiar names wearing the green and gold are Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis, both of whom helped Wests Tigers this season claim its maiden title in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership.
Good luck to all players at this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
