Kangaroos face growing World Cup selection headaches as players jump ship in numbers

Kangaroos face growing World Cup selection headaches as players jump ship in numbers

Australian coach Mal Meninga is facing an uphill battle to retain the World Cup with players withdrawing from Australian selection left, right and centre.

The latest stars to throw a spanner in the works for Meninga this week were Broncos enforcer Payne Haas and Roosters flyer Joseph Suaalii.

Suaalii has defected to Samoa, while Haas won’t play in the tournament for family reasons and to focus on Brisbane’s 2023 season.

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Meninga played down the significance of the latest stars to declare themselves unavailable for Australia and praised both players for making the decision before the Kangaroos squad was finalised.

“I fully understand their reasons and wish them all the best. I’m happy and supportive that their decision has been made prior to team selection,” Meninga told foxsports.com.au.

However, it is hard to ignore the fact Australia have been left depleted by the number of players choosing to represent other nations over the Kangaroos.

In what was once thought unthinkable, Australia will be tested for depth in terms of seasoned international players and will have to blood a number of debutants in their squad.

The duo join a growing list of players Meninga can no longer pick and means Samoa are becoming genuine title contenders.

Roosters lock Victor Radley stunned the rugby league world in July after choosing to represent England, just weeks after being in the NSW Origin squad.

That came after Penrith duo Brian To’o and Jarome Luai caused an uproar when they declared their allegiance to Samoa earlier in the year.

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Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos team will look much different tothe last Test side he picked.Source: AAP

THE LOOPHOLE BEING EXPOSED

Several current or former Origin stars will be lining up for rival nations at the World Cup, taking advantage of a loophole that allows them to play for their state and tier two nations.

Suaalii, To’o, Luai, Stephen Crichton, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo and Francis Molo will all play for Samoa.

While Felise Kaufusi, David Fifita, Kotoni Staggs and Daniel Tupou will all run out for Tonga.

Blue stars Api Koriousau and Reagan Campbell-Gillard could yet play for Fiji, while Xavier Coates might line up for Papua New Guinea.

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Payne Haas has pulled out of the World Cup.Source: AAP

WHO’S CHOOSING AUSTRALIA

There are still several Australian-raised players with strong ties to their heritage who are putting their hand up for the Kangaroos selection.

Cowboys backrower Jeremiah Nanai is also eligible for Samoa but has opted to play for Australia, as has his club teammate Murray Taulagi.

Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleau wants to play for the Kangaroos and Reagan Campbell-Gillard is expected to go with Meninga if picked.

Panthers hooker Api Koriosau has been picked in the Fiji squad but will wait to see if Meninga selects him before declaring his allegiance – likely to Australia.

Suaalii and Haas withdrawing could open the door for Matt Lodge and Selwyn Cobbo.

Joseph Suaalii will play for Samoa at the World Cup.Source: Getty Images

Genuine Kangaroos contenders playing for other nations:

SAMOA

Joseph Suaalii

Brian To’o

Stephen Crichton

Jarome Luai

Josh Papalii

Junior Paulo

Francis Molo

TONGA

Felise Kaufusi

David Fifita

Kotoni Staggs

Daniel Tupou

ENGLAND

Victor Radley

FIJI

Api Koriousau*

Reagan Campbell-Gillard*

PNG

Xavier Coates*

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PREDICTED KANGAROOS SQUAD

1. James Tedesco (c)

2. Josh Addo-Carr

3. Dane Gagai

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Valentine Holmes

6. Cameron Munster

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Jake Trbojevic

9. Ben Hunt

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Liam Martin

12. Cameron Murray

13. Isaah Yeo

14. Harry Grant

15. Patrick Carrigan

16. Angus Crichton

17. Hudson Young

18. Daly Cherry-Evans

19. Jai Arrow

20. Lindsay Collins

21. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

22. Damien Cook

23. Jack Wighton

24. Matt Burton