Six Tackles: Most impressive players at the World Cup who have been eliminated
Love Rugby League have picked out the six most impressive players in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup who have failed to make it through the group stage with their respective nations.
JAMES TEDESCO (ITALY)
The 24-year-old was unfortunate not to be called up to the Australia squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup but he gained a lot of recognition for representing Italy.
And the full-back has been sensational for the Azzurri. Having watched all their group games, you can clearly see why he is so well-respected in the NRL, he has scored a try as well as making 450 metres in three games.
LIAM FINN (IRELAND)
The Wakefield Trinity star is one of the most consistent and reliable players in the world. He goes under the radar in Super League but he is a brilliant general and bosses his team around the park. He has been a brilliant captain for the Wolfhounds as well.
The 34-year-old has made over 20 appearances for Ireland throughout his career and he may be coming towards the back end of his career but he has still got it. He has made two line breaks in the World Cup, scored a try and 12 goals.
EDDY PETTYBOURNE (USA)
The 29-year-old prop forward has effectively been playing for a contract after his deal with Gold Coast Titans expired at the end of last season.
Pettybourne, who spent the 2014 season with Wigan Warriors, has been one of the stand-out players for USA this tournament and has attracted interest from Super League for next season and to be fair, he would be a good coup for a number of top-flight sides because he is hard-working and has explosive carries.
LEWIS TIERNEY (SCOTLAND)
Alongside Danny Addy, the 23-year-old was one of the most impressive players from the Tier 2 nations at the tournament. He has made the move from Wigan Warriors to Catalans Dragons permanent for the 2018 season and Steve McNamara will be happy with what he saw of his new full-back.
Tierney is one of the fastest players in the competition and was always trying new things when Scotland were under the pump at times. He made 223 metres from 28 carries as well as scoring a try for the Bravehearts in the tournament.
MARK KHEIRALLAH (FRANCE)
Judging by his performances for France at the World Cup, it is very hard to believe that the full-back has never had a crack at Super League. He has been great for Toulouse Olympique over the last two years, scoring 51 tries in 56 appearances.
Expect to see the 27-year-old in the top-flight in the next couple of years. He scored an excellent length of the field try against Australia a couple of weeks ago and has made 423 metres from 34 games as well as three line breaks.
MORGAN KNOWLES (WALES)
What a year it has been the for 21-year-old. The 2017 campaign will always stick in the mind of the back-rower and don’t be surprised if he makes the move over to the NRL in five years or so, because he is the type of player most coaches want in their side.
The St Helens star made 190 metres from 32 carries in three games but what stands out the most is his defensive work, making a whopping 122 tackles in just three games, averaging just over 40 tackles per game. He also scored a try as well which is a bonus for his strong performances.
What do you think of our six selections for the most impressive players who didn’t make it past the group stage with their respective nations? Let us know in the comments below.
