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Manly premiership-winner Michael Robertson would love to go to Scotland one day. In the meantime, he’s happy to represent the country at the Rugby League World Cup.
Robertson is one of a host of NRL first graders who will represent the nations of their heritage at the tournament beginning on October 25.
Whether or not they’ve actually been to those countries is beside the point under league’s “grandparent” rule.
“(I want) to be part of the World Cup, obviously it’s something that not a lot of people get to be involved in,” Robertson said.
“My grandfather was proud of Scotland so that’s part of the reason, to try and represent him and the family.
“It’s just a bit of my heritage really.”
Robertson will join the likes of Bulldogs prop Chris Armit, Warriors hooker Ian Henderson and Canberra prop Scott Logan for the Scots, who he admits he doesn’t know much about.
“I wouldn’t have a clue, actually,” he said.
“A lot of them play in the Super League. I’ve had a chat to (Manly five-eighth) Jamie Lyon about it actually, he had a couple of years over there. He seemed to be impressed with a few of the players in the side.
“Being in the camp situation for that amount of time with that amount of blokes, it will be interesting anyway.”
The Sea Eagles winger hopes to visit the land of his heritage soon.
“The family’s going over there next year for Christmas … to go there would be a great experience,” he said.
It’s a different story for Parramatta’s superstar in the making Feleti Mateo.
Mateo’s nation, Tonga, is set to reap the benefits of a huge influx of South Pacific Islanders into the NRL in recent years.
Despite the loss of Anthony Tupou to Australia and the ineligibility of Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki, the Tongans have come up with some handy names.
They include Penrith’s Michael Jennings, North Queensland-bound Antonio Kaufusi, South Sydney’s Manase Manuokafoa and Fetuli Talanoa, the Sydney Roosters’ Lopini Paea, Newcastle’s Cooper Vuna and young gun Tony Williams, who was involved in a bitter tug-of-war between the Eels and Manly earlier this year.
“Without trying to sound too cocky, we’re pretty much covered so now we’ve just got to put it together,” Mateo said.
“We’ll give it a bit of a shake if we gel together well.”
Mateo was born in Australia but has a Tongan father and an English mother, meaning he is eligible for at least three countries.
“I’ve played a few years for Tonga now trying to get into this World Cup,” Mateo said.
“It was good to get back to the family and play for Tonga in front of the family.
“My Dad’s a proud Tongan and I followed the Tongan side pretty heavily, so I’m pretty proud to put on the Tongan jersey.”
A win for the World Cup dark horses would mean a lot to the Kingdom.
“We could go back there and they’d treat us like gods,” Mateo said.
“I think it would mean more to us.”
NRL stars discover their heritage for the Rugby League World Cup:
NEW ZEALAND
Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, Greg Eastwood, David Fa’alogo, Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Lance Hohaia, Krisnan Inu, David Kidwell, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Sam Perrett, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith, Iosia Soliola, Manu Vatuvei.TONGA
Andrew Emelio, Richard Fa’aoso, Michael Jennings, Antonio Kaufusi, Epalahame Lauaki, Manase Manuokafoa, Feleti Mateo, Eddie Paea, Lopini Paea, Mickey Paea, Fetuli Talanoa, Cooper Vuna, Tony WilliamsSAMOA
Joseph Paulo, Frank Puletua, Tony Puletua, Ben Roberts, Smith Samau, Lagi Setu, Terrence Seuseu, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Te’o, Matt Utai, Nigel VaganaFIJI
Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, Aaron Groom, Jarryd Hayne, Daryl Millard, Wes Naiqama, Ashton SimsSCOTLAND
Chris Armit, Ian Henderson, Scott Logan, Michael RobertsonPAPUA NEW GUINEA
Paul Aiton, Neville Costigan, Keith PetersIRELAND
Shannon McDonnell, Ryan Tandy
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