Wales-eligible Bradman Best stood down by NRL club

Wales World Cup hopeful Bradman Best has been stood down by the Newcastle Knights due to disciplinary reasons.

Best, 21, was born in Australia but qualifies for the Dragons through the heritage rule.

The centre, alongside team-mate Enari Tuala, has been dropped by the Knights for this weekend’s NRL clash against the Canberra Raiders. Both players failed to make the team bus on time last Sunday in Brisbane. They have been dropped to the New South Wales Cup on Sunday.

It means 19-year-old Krystian Mapapalangi has been presented the opportunity to make his debut in the centres against the Raiders and become Knights player number #333.

Six-capped Wales international Tyson Frizell has been named at starting back-row. He honoured his Welsh heritage in the 2013 World Cup. 

Meanwhile, Hull-bound Tex Hoy has been named at full-back once again for the NRL clash. The 22-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Super League club from 2023.

Bradman Best for Wales

Best has made 45 appearance in the NRL, having made his debut in 2019 at the age of 18. He has crossed for 17 tries.

He has yet to make his international debut. But Wales boss John Kear says the centre is keen on the idea of representing his Welsh heritage at the World Cup.

“We could be strengthened in regards to that,” Kear said.

“I want it to be lads who are playing regularly (for Wales) who form the core of the group. I don’t just want the incomings once every four years, I want it to be a side that is developing with a group of Welsh-born fellas and we’ve got that and I’m very proud of that.”

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