SAMOA’s Anthony Milford has admitted he will try to tempt New Zealand captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to join the island nation’s line-up for the World Cup Nines in October.
Speaking as the pools for the tournament, to be held at Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium on October 18 and 19, were announced, Milford made reference to the impact of the two-tier international eligibility rules on the event.
Players who miss benign picked for their tier one country of choice can play for a tier two country without damaging their future selection chances.However, it’s highly unlikely the Warriors star would not be called up by Kiwis coach Michael Maguire.
“I think it’s the kind of tournament where we might see a few more guys coming back to play for Tonga or Samoa or those second-tier nations,” Brisbane’s Milford told NRL.com.
“I wouldn’t mind trying to sneak Rog [Tuivasa-Sheck] across the line. I haven’t reached out to him yet so we’ll have to see what happens.
“If we can try and get a few guys back and give it a red-hot crack I think we can surprise a few people.”
All players will receive the same appearance money in the tournament – perhaps a pointer to future international federation-run events.
Australia, the Kiwis, Papua New Guinea and the United States form a Group Of Death in the men’s division. There is still some doubt over the involvement of Lebanon given misconduct charges leveled at several players by their national governing body after the mid-season Test against Fiji.
Men’s tournament:
Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, United States.
Group B: England, France, Lebanon, Wales
Group C: Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa
Two teams from Pool A progress to the semi-finals, along with the winners of the other two pools.
Women’s tournament:
Australia, New Zealand, England and Papua New Guinea
Top two on table qualify for final.
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