As the ten World Cup captains gathered together at the SFS yesterday, there were only two thinking of the ultimate prize. Sure, everyone is in it to win, but if one were to cast a magnifying glass, Island nations Tonga, Samoa and Fiji will be purely playing for pride and entertainment.
European nations England, Scotland, Ireland and France are there for the history and the distinctive honour that comes from playing the toughest code on the planet.
And Papua New Guinea are there for a chance to grow the game they love back home into more than just a pathway away from violence and sexual abuse.
All those goals are what makes this Rugby League World Cup so special for the participating sides not expected to win it.
All of them, bar Australia and New Zealand.
These two countries set the bar high. Although the Kangaroos have perhaps ruled alone for a fair while, the Kiwis have come the closest to stealing the crown.
At least in the open era anyway.
New Zealand did it at one stage when they won the 2005 Tri-Nations, bestowing upon the Kiwi national team an aura of dominance they’ve not felt before.
It was an aura that nearly helped the Shaky Isles regain the title in 2006, only for Darren Lockyer to score a try in golden point extra time.
Despite the loss, New Zealand rugby league was never healthier.
At last, the Australians had more than competition. They finally had an opponent they could fear.
But whatever fear the Kangaroos had for their Trans-Tasman rivals were extinguished last October, when Australia beat them in Wellington by a record 58 point margin.
So here we are once again, wondering how this Kangaroos outfit can be beaten in a World Cup on home soil.
Lets face it. There is not much that can be done.
There is little doubt then Australia will be in the final come November 22. It’s also likely, however, that they will be standing in the middle of Suncorp Stadium bracing themselves for another Kiwi assault.
What to look out for in week two of the Pacific Championships
Brad Fittler claims widening State of Origin eligibility rules to include Australian-raised New Zealand and England players will benefit both the domestic and international game.
If you followed the recent Rugby League World Cup, you’ll probably have noted that the tournament has both passionate supporters and vocal detractors.
Since the Super League War, Rugby League has failed to cement an international calendar. The historical tours disappeared – in part due to the war but also since the English game transferred to a summer season.
With many spruiking that the pinnacle of our beloved sport is State of Origin, surely it’s time to make yet another amendment to the playbook and finally let New Zealand and English players in on the fun?
With the World Cup final just days away, I thought I’d reflect on some of the key moments and memories of the past ten…
