Cameron Smith will lead the Holden Kangaroos to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup with the Australian Rugby League Commission today announcing a 24-man tour squad that features three debutants and three members of the NRL Grand Final teams.
Holden Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens today joined ARLC Chairman, Mr John Grant, at Rugby League Central to announce a squad including players from 14 NRL clubs.
Sydney Roosters Premiership-winning back-rower Boyd Cordner, Sharks Dally M Prop of the Year Andrew Fifita and Canberra Raiders back-rower Josh Papalii are the uncapped players in the squad, which also features Cordner’s Premiership-winning team-mate Michael Jennings and Manly’s Clive Churchill Medal winner Daly Cherry-Evans.
The squad contains 14 players from the side that beat New Zealand 32-12 in the 2013 mid-year test at Bruce Stadium, with injury ruling out Justin Hodges, Kurt Gidley and Anthony Watmough.
Robbie Farah edged out Roosters hooker Jake Friend for the back-up hooker role.
The Kangaroos squad has five players remaining from the team that lost the 2008 World Cup Final 34-20 to New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium; Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen, while Brent Tate was also part of the 2008 squad.
Clubs represented:
Cowboys: 4 players.
Storm and Sharks: 3 players each.
Titans, Broncos and Roosters: 2 players each.
Sea Eagles, Wests Tigers, Knights, Eels, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Bulldogs, Raiders: 1 player each.
The squad is:
Player |
NRL Club |
Junior Club |
Cameron Smith (c) |
Melbourne Storm |
Logan Brothers |
Paul Gallen (v/c) |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Wentworthville |
Greg Bird |
Gold Coast Titans |
West Maitland Red Dogs / Maitland Pumpkin Pickers |
Darius Boyd |
Newcastle Knights |
Mudgeeraba Redbacks |
Daly Cherry-Evans |
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
Mackay Brothers |
Boyd Cordner |
Sydney Roosters |
Old Bar Pirates |
Cooper Cronk |
Melbourne Storm |
Souths Acacia |
Robbie Farah |
Wests Tigers |
Enfield Federals / Leichhardt Wanderers |
Andrew Fifita |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Griffith Waratahs |
Jarryd Hayne |
Parramatta Eels |
East Campbelltown Eagles / Cabramatta Two Blues |
Greg Inglis |
South Sydney Rabbitohs |
Bowraville Tigers |
Michael Jennings |
Sydney Roosters |
St Marys |
Luke Lewis |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
Blacktown City |
Brett Morris |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Kiama Knights |
Josh Morris |
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
Kiama Knights |
Nate Myles |
Gold Coast Titans |
Southern Suburbs / Gordonvale |
Josh Papalii |
Canberra Raiders |
Logan Brothers |
Corey Parker |
Brisbane Broncos |
Logan Brothers |
Matthew Scott |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Longreach Tigers |
Billy Slater |
Melbourne Storm |
Innisfail |
James Tamou |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Levin Knights / |
Brent Tate |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Redcliffe Dolphins |
Sam Thaiday |
Brisbane Broncos |
Townsville Brothers |
Johnathan Thurston |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Souths Sunnybank |
The Holden Kangaroos will assemble for a half-day camp in Sydney on Thursday, October 10, which will feature a luncheon with members of the 1963 Kangaroos.
The players will return to Sydney on Sunday, October 13, and hold an open training session at WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah, starting at 1pm ahead of the Junior Kangaroos-Junior Kiwis match at 2.30pm.
The Holden Kangaroos will depart for the United Kingdom on Monday, October 14, and will open their Rugby League World Cup campaign against England at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday, October 26, followed by pool matches against Fiji at Langtree Park, St Helens, on November 2 and Ireland at Thomond Park, Limerick, on November 9.
Full tournament details are available at www.rlwc2013.com.
