Take it as read that Simon Mannering will be in New Zealand’s World Cup squad but reports that he was under pressure to retain his place show that reputations count for little in the new look Kiwis set-up under David Kidwell.

Mannering, a former New Zealand skipper, has declared himself raring to go for a third World Cup and is almost certain to start in the second row, particularly if there are doubts about the fitness of Tohu Harris after an injury plagued season with Melbourne.

However, Issac Luke may not be so fortunate, with Newcastle’s Danny Levi and Melbourne’s Brandon Smith both viewed as future Kiwis hookers, while prop Jared Warea-Hargreaves may have blown his World Cup hopes in Sydney Roosters loss to North Queensland on Saturday night.

Warea-Hargreaves had laid down a personal challenge to Cowboys and New Zealand wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo ahead of the match but the Roosters prop managed just 68 metres from seven runs and while he made 41 tackles a defensive miss resulted in a try.

In contrast, Taumalolo made 256 metres from 21 carries of the ball, which included two tackle breaks.

Boom Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona is expected to earn a World Cup call up and the other Kiwis front row options include skipper Adam Blair, Manly’s Martin Taupau and St George Illawarra’s Russell Packer.

The USA’s loss may be Samoa’s gain with Joseph Paulo expected to be chosen in Matt Parish’s squad after not being named by the Hawks.

Paulo, who qualifies for both nations through heritage, played for Samoa at the 2008 World Cup and was captain of the USA when they qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2013 tournament.

His name was a glaring omission when the USA were the first nation to announce their squad for the World Cup last weekend but it is understood the Cronulla utility told Hawks officials his preference was to again play for Samoa.

With Anthony Milford expected to undergo shoulder surgery after Brisbane were eliminated from the NRL finals last Friday night, Penrith five-eighth Tyrone May rupturing his ACL and Cowboys utility John Asiata playing with a broken hand, Paulo would be a handy pick up for Samoa.

France and Ireland are set to be the next countries to name World Cup squads, and there will be much interest in the announcement by Wolfhounds coach Mark Aston to see if Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary is included.

Keary has been sounded out by Irish players earlier in the season but it is unclear if he has committed to playing for the Wolfhounds, who have pool matches in Cairns, Port Moresby and Perth.

France have been seeking to confirm the eligibility of Papua New Guinea-born winger Kuni Minga, who plays for Toulouse. 

The PNG Hunters may be a long way from home when they play Penrith in the Interstate Challenge between the Queensland and NSW Cup winners as a curtain-raiser to Sunday’s NRL grand final but they are unlikely to be lacking for support in Sydney.

The Hunters, who are coached by PNG Kumuls mentor Michael Marum and are expected to provide the nucleus of their country’s World Cup squad to be named next week, were largely responsible for the record Queensland Cup grand final crowd last Sunday after five plane loads of fans flew from Port Moresby to Brisbane. 

According to the Post-Courier, “at least half” of the country’s 111 Members of Parliament were on hand to witness the historic 12-10 defeat of Sunshine Coast Falcons, including Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti.

“You see, I was here watching the boys win and yes, I screamed the loudest too,” Wingti said.

PNG prime minister Peter O'Neill, on his way home from the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, told the newspaper:  "I'm so proud; I watched it live in the air. I am on my way back to PNG".

By Brad Walter | @BradWalterSport
Chief Correspondent, RLWC2017