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Australia enter this World Cup as favourites but there is a 24-man squad of would-be Kangaroos who will be lining up for other nations.
There is Australian eligible talent scattered throughout the World Cup teams with plenty of players that could have been picked to wear green and gold.
Even without injured stars like Payne Haas, Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Kurt Capewell and Kalyn Ponga, there is still a plethora of talent running out for other countries that could have made an Australian squad.
Some may not have made the cut, but others could have walked straight onto the team bus but elected to proudly represent their families and their culture.
Here’s a possible 17-man line-up of Would-be Kangaroos with seven other players who could form an Australian eligible squad.
1. Joseph Suaalii
Many tipped this young gun to be on the wing for Australia, but he chose to play for Samoa to line up at fullback.
2. Brian To’o
“It would mean the world for me to put on the jersey and it’s a massive opportunity to play for Australia, but heart is everything to me and my people and my family means more,” said To’o on his reason to pick Samoa. “I’ll definitely play for my family.”
He would have been the first winger picked for Australia if he wanted to play for the Kangaroos.
3. Stephen Crichton
One of many who played State of Origin this year but who has chosen to represent a country other than Australia. In the case of the Panthers centre, it’s his beloved Samoa.
4. Siosifa Talakai
The NSW and Sharks centre will proudly wear red for Tonga this World Cup – he could have been a handy squad member with the Kangaroos with his ability to also play in the forwards.
5. Daniel Tupou
Another Roosters player that has chosen his family heritage over Australia by playing for Tonga.
6. Jarome Luai
Another superstar who played State of Origin but has said ‘thanks but no thanks to Australia, instead proudly representing Samoa.
7. Mitch Moses
The Eels halfback will once again run out for Lebanon with Nathan Cleary, Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt blocking his path to the Australian squad.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
8. Josh Papali’i
Another surprise star who turned down the Kangaroos. The Raiders hardman will be playing for Samoa after being a fixture in the Australian side in recent years.
9. Api Koroisau
The Panthers premiership winning hooker kept his options open when it came to the World Cup, but with so many number nines for Mal Meninga to chose from, Api will once again play for Fiji.
10. Junior Paulo
When asked about the reason behind him choosing Samoa over autrali, the Eels forward explained: “Gus Gould really hit the nail on the head when he said, ‘What nation do you cry for when you sing the anthem?’
“That plays a big part for me, and for me that’s being proud of my home, and that’s Samoa.”
11. David Fifita
Everyone assumed the Titans’ wrecking ball would be playing for the Aussies at the start of the year but his form has not been up to his previous high standards and he has opted to represent Tonga.
12. Felise Kaufusi
Having already played for Tonga and Australia, the Storm backrower has decided to run out for Tonga this time around.
13. Victor Radley
Radley’s dad was the reason behind his choice to play for England.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to play for England for my old man. Everybody wants to do the right thing by their dad, don’t they?”
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
14. Keaon Koloamatangi
The Rabbitohs back-rower is an important part of the Tongan pack, and will no doubt play a big role in their success.
15. Haumole Olakau’atu
The Manly forward let everyone know his intentions early on when he turned down a Blues jersey in the chance to play for Tonga
“To play for Tonga, it means everything,’’ Olakau’atu said earlier in the year. “But I know how much it will mean for my parents just because of the struggles they have been through, flying from Tonga to Australia in 1997 to try and find a better life.”
16. Xavier Coates
The Queensland Origin winger turned down the chance to play for Australia and chose to represent his birthplace of PNG.
17. Luke Keary
Like his Roosters teammate Radley, the Roosters five-eighth chose to represent Ireland for his father over Australia.
Luke Keary (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Euan Aitken
Despite being born in Australia, Aitken will be representing Scotland for his grandfather.
Nathan Brown
With James Tedesco playing for Australia, the veteran Parramatta forward will be one of the biggest names to play for Italy in the World Cup.
Nathan Brown (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Moeaki Fotuaika
Another Maroon who won’t be running out in the green and gold, with the Titan choosing to play for Tonga.
Lachlan Ilias
After proving to everyone he could stand up to the pressure of wearing the number seven for the Rabbitohs, Ilias will now represent Greece at the World Cup.
Alex Johnston
A second South Sydney star to wear different colours, this try-scoring machine will be playing fullback for the PNG Kumuls.
Will Penisini
The Parramatta centre is another feather in the cap of the Tongan team.
Scott Sorensen
Born in Sydney, Sorensen will represent New Zealand alongside his Penrith teammates James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.