Brian To'o, Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. NSW State of Origin Photo: NRL PHOTOS
Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have named their line-ups for the Rugby League World Cup.
All these Pacific Island teams are packed with NRL stars, including some considered the best in the sport, and who have turned down lucrative offers by Australia and New Zealand.
The polite declines by several NRL stars to wear the Green and Gold jersey of Australia in particular, has shocked many Aussie fans. Sydney Roosters Winger Joseph Suaalii's decision to play for Toa Samoa for example, prompted a disgruntled Australian sports commentator, New Corps Paul Kent to lament the eligibility rules.
"You want patriots not mercenaries", said Kent.
"They will cop the money to play Origin, but they don't want to play for Australia", he added.
Toa Samoa name powerful team
Toa Samoa are based in Doncaster and will play hosts England in the opener of the World Cup. Many are expecting a Samoan upset.
"We could be hosting the winners, it's an unbelievable side they are putting together", Doncaster Rugby League CEO Carl Hall told the Doncaster Free Press last week.
"It wouldn't be a surprise to see them win that."
Hall's comments are not an overstatement. Eight players named in Toa Samoa, played in the NRL Grand finals most of whom were first-choice selections for the Kangaroos including Penrith Panthers Brian To'o and Parramatta Eels Prop Junior Paulo.
Papua New Guinea Kumuls
PNG Kumuls captain David Mead. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Papua New Guinea's Kumuls pulled off a decisive 24 - 14 victory over Fiji Bati in this year's June tests.
The Kumuls boast big names such as the highest try scorer for the 2022 NRL Premiership South Sydney Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston, along with Melbourne Storms Justin Olam and Leigh Centurions Lachlan Lam.
The team will be missing the country's most famous rugby league star Gold Coasts David Mead, who announced his retirement following the Kumuls win over Fiji Bati. David Mead said he won't step down from his untimely retirement and believes young upcoming talent will unleash surprises in the world cup.
They play favourites Mate Ma'a Tonga on October 18 in St Helens.
Fiji Bati
Viliame Kikau scores one of his two tries Photo: Photosport
Fiji Bati enter the tournament as strong prospects with six NRL Grand finalists including legendary Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Panthers star second rower Viliame Kikau.
Mate Ma'a Tonga
Getting Jason Taumalolo to play for the Kiwis rather than Tonga must be a priority for the new Kiwis coach says Tony Kemp. Photo: Photosport
Considered a Rugby League Superpower since upsetting the Kangaroos 16 to 12, Mate Ma'a Tonga have been hampered by injuries, with big stars such as Kotoni Staggs and Sitili Tupouniua missing out.
There have also been a number of surprise omissions from the squad such as Andrew Fifita, Tevita Pangai Jnr. and West Sydney Tigers player of the year Joe Ofahengaue.
West Tigers Stefano Utoikamanu said last week that he would make himself unavailable to prepare for next year's NRL season.
It's still a powerful line-up however, with uncapped star Tevita Fifita named, alongside veteran stars Daniel Tupou, Konrad Hurrell, William Hopoate and Jason Taumalolo return to
Tonga will play a warmup game against France on October 8th in England.
The 'exodus' of Pacific Island players
The surge in star rugby league players choosing to represent their country of heritage all started with Jason Taumalolo's decision to represent Tonga at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, a day before the Kiwis had planned to announce their world cup squad, of which Taumalolo had been expected to be a part of. It caused a chain reaction, inspiring NRL stars of Tongan heritage to join Taumalolo, including Andrew Fifita who withdrew from the Kangaroos squad. Mate Ma'a Tonga later defeated the Kiwis in the world cup, making it to the quarter finals of the tournament.
World cup squads
Fiji Bati: Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm), Vuate Karawalevu (Sydney Roosters), Lamar Manuel Liolevave (Tweed Seagulls), Joe Lovodua (Hull FC), Isaac Lumelume (Canterbury Bulldogs), Netane Masima (Wests Magpies), Laitia Moceidreke (NQ Cowboys), Sitiveni Moceidreke (London Broncos) , Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Marcelo Montoya (NZ Warriors), Kevin Naiqama (Sydney Roosters), Ben Nakubuwai (Leigh Centurions), Jason Qareqare (Castleford Tigers), Mikaele Ravalawa (St George Illawarra Dragons), Taniela Sadrugu (NQ Cowboys), Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), Pio Seci (Manly Sea Eagles), Korbin Sims (Hull KR), Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons), Maika Sivo (Parramatta Eels), Penioni Tagituimua (Canterbury Bulldogs), Sunia Turuva (Penrith Panthers), Joseph Vakacereivalu (Redcliffe Dolphins), Semi Valemei (Canberra Raiders), King Vuniyayawa (Salford Reds), Ratu Inoke Vasuturaga (Kinoya Eagles), Brandon Wakeham (Canterbury Bulldogs), Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters)
Toa Samoa: Josh Aloiai (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Fa'amanu Brown (Wests Tigers), Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers), Mathew Feagai (St George-Illawarra Dragons, Braden Hamlin-Uele (Cronulla Sharks), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks), Oregon Kaufusi (Parramatta Eels), Luciano Leilua (North Queensland Cowboys), Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers), Danny Levi (Huddersfield Giants), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Taylan May (Penrith Panthers), Tyrone May (Catalans Dragons), Anthony Milford (Newcastle Knights), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Jaydn Su'a (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (North Queensland Cowboys), Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers), Martin Taupa'u (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers), Kelma Tuilagi (Wests Tigers)
Papua New Guinea: Wellington Albert (London Broncos), Jacob Alick (Gold Coast Titans), Keven Appo (PNG Hunters), Watson Boas (Doncaster), Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm), Edene Gebbie (Townsville Blackhawks), Edwin Ipape (Leigh Centurions), Zev John (Central Capras), Alexander Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Lachlan Lam (Leigh Centurions), Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks), Nene Macdonald (Leigh Centurions), Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos), Sylvester Namo (PNG Hunters), Jimmy Ngutlik (Wests Magpies), Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm), Nixon Putt (Central Capras), Daniel Russell (Brisbane Tigers), Jeremiah Simbiken (Redcliffe Dolphins), Rodrick Tai (PNG Hunters), Sherwin Tanabi (PNG Hunters),
Wesser Tenza (PNG Hunters), Emmanuel Waine (PNG Hunters), Mckenzie Yei Ketepa (Central Capras).
Mate Ma'a Tonga: Talatau Amone (St George Illawarra Dragons), David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans), Addin Fonua Blake (Warriors), Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans), Siliva Havili (South Sydney Rabbitohs), William Hopoate (St Helens Saints), Konrad Hurrell (St Helens Saints), Isaiya Katoa (Penrith Panthers), Sione Katoa (Cronulla Sharks), Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm), Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Toluta'u Koula (Manly Sea Eagles), Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants), Soni Luke (Penrith Panthers), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warriors), Tesi Niu (Brisbane Broncos), Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Sea Eagles), Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels), Moses Suli (St George Illawarra Dragons), Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla Sharks), Tevita Tatola (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters), Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys), Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters).