Kiwis rugby league stars have a better shot at winning the World Cup than the All Blacks

Kiwis have a better chance of winning the Rugby League World Cup than the All Blacks. Rugby league players are choosing to play for their heritage nations over Australia and New Zealand. Maguire hails from Australia where many people believe international rugby league is the pinnacle. He hopes that as the likes of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji are more successful they may get tier one status. He believes the Kiwis are definite contenders. The Rugby Football World Championship is every bit as competitive as rugby union. It has far fewer member nations than rugby Union. There are 11-time champions Australia. Jason Taumalolo, who turned his back on the New Zealander team in 2017, will play with Tongan team.

Shaun Johnson is out of the Kiwis squad for the Rugby League World Cup. Warriors will have just one player at the tournament, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. It's a record low Warriors quota at a World cup since the NRL entered the competition.