This World Cup is something of a milestone in terms of international rugby league’s growth. In Australia, however, much of the commentary has sought to drive controversy around the defections of some of the country’s best players to other nations.
New South Wales State of Origin winger Brian To’o and teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii headline the growing throng who have elected to represent the Pasifika nations of their heritage, a group also including Origin representatives Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo, Stephen Crichton, David Fifita and Siosifa Talakai. It is a choice they say was made to bolster the strength of their ancestral homes and pay tribute to their families.
