Charlie Staines has withdrawn from the World Cup to stay in Australia as he prepares to become a father for the first time as the grand final baby boom has another star facing an anxious wait.
The Panthers winger was officially confirmed as a starter in Sunday’s decider, but won’t follow the lead of his Penrith teammates in heading to the United Kingdom for the World Cup.
The 21-year-old has withdrawn from Samoa contention to stay in Australia for the birth of his daughter, due shortly after the grand final.
While it is unlikely Staines will have to follow the likes of Eels halfback Mitchell Moses, who skipped the birth of his daughter to play in Parramatta’s grand final qualifier against the Cowboys, and Jarome Luai, who welcomed his third child on Monday, the flyer doesn’t want to risk travelling with a child on the way.
“I’ve pulled out of [the World Cup] and I’ve got a little girl on the way in two weeks so I’ll put my full focus into that,” Staines said. “I’m very excited. I think she’s on track to wait a couple of more weeks.”
Samoa named eight grand final stars in their 24-man World Cup squad released on Tuesday, including Staines’ Panthers teammates Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, Spencer Leniu and Taylan May, who has been ruled out of the grand final with a hamstring problem.
Panthers winger Charlie Staines will play his first NRL grand final.Credit:Getty
Parramatta’s Junior Paulo and Oregon Kaufusi are also in the squad.
Staines made his international debut at fullback in Samoa’s thumping mid-season Test win over the Cook Islands, but teenage Roosters star Joseph Suaalii is poised to wear the No.1 in the World Cup after pledging his allegiance to the Pacific nation over Australia.
Tigers winger David Nofoaluma, who scored four tries against the Cook Islands, is not part of the final Samoan squad.
May’s misfortune has opened the door for Staines to play his first grand final having lost his spot in the Penrith side after the first week of last year’s finals series. The Panthers went on to win the premiership.
The emergence of May has forced Staines to have limited starts this year as well as being used as an 18th man, but he’s desperate to add a premiership ring as Penrith try to win back-to-back titles.
“I think it was a good learning curve [last year],” Staines said. “I felt like I wasn’t playing my best footy anyway. This year I’ve gone back and tried to work on my game playing good footy week in, week out. I’m glad I’ve got the opportunity this week to play in a grand final.
“I’m very excited. There’s a fair bit of finals experience for pretty much most of the team and we’ve got a few experienced heads. They’ll try to keep us in check for the week. We’ll go out there and try to play our best.”
The Forbes-raised Staines will oppose Parramatta’s cult hero Maika Sivo, who will have a sizeable height and weight advantage over the Samoan international.
“I think it will be a good challenge,” Staines said. “He’s one of the biggest wingers in the comp and I’ll do my best and that’s all I can do. You’ve just got to put your body on the line to be honest.”
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