Australia and
New Zealand stars can play for tier two nationsNeither country is sending a squad to the 2021 tournamentThe prospect of some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s best players switching allegiance to play for other nations if this year’s
World Cup goes ahead is “highly likely” according to the chief executive of the
Australian players’ union.
The Australian Rugby League Commission and New Zealand Rugby League are adamant they will not be sending squads to compete in the tournament in
England later this year due to player welfare concerns regarding Covid-19, with World Cup organisers spending the weekend in dialogue with government officials trying to determine whether or not to proceed without them, or whether to postpone the event for 12 months.