“We aren’t there to fight. We aren’t boxers. Rugby League World Cup We play the game at its toughest and the best we can.’’World Cup matches will be officiated by one referee rather than two, with video reviews to be conducted at the ground rather than by NRL bunker officials.Archer said the review system would mean longer waits for some decisions than with the bunker technology.
Gillett said he was pleased that one referee would control World Cup games.The Australian players will train in Brisbane this afternoon and fly on Thursday to Fiji, where they will play two 40-minute games against Papua New Guinea and then Fiji on Saturday.Gillett and Wally Lewis will support Suncorp Stadium’s fundraising for the Hear and Say foundation which includes a golf day at Sanctuary Cove on October 20.
Event: Rugby League World Cup
Place:Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
Dates: 27 October to 2 December
“You’d never go to the supermarket with her (for that reason).”Mrs Wilkie instilled a strong work ethic in her children and supported her son’s rugby league endeavours.“She was alway at the canteen, on the gate or behind the bar. She was pretty hands on with her time. She never had enemies,” Wilkie said.
“I was only at Herbert River for five years after I finished up (playing in the NRL). To be honest, she probably had a bigger impact on the club than I did.”The Cairns Post can reveal Wilkie will be joined in the Italian World Cup squad by fellow Northern Pride players Ryan Ghietti, Justin Castellaro and Joel Riethmuller.
Northern Pride star Colin Wilkie isn’t afraid to admit the tears will flow the first time he hears the Italian national anthem played at this month’s Rugby League World Cup.Wilkie openly wept before his first test match for the Azzurri last year as his thoughts turned to his late mother, Martha, who died of cancer in 2013, aged just 55.
After officially being named in the World Cup squad today, Wilkie said hearing the news from coach Cameron Ciraldo brought back the same emotions he felt last year on the eve of his Italian debut.“I was surprised how worked up I got, mate. I didn’t expect it,” Wilkie said.
“I was quite emotional. It’s pretty special, especially now that Mum is not around anymore. I spoke to my dad during the week. Not much fazes the old fella … but I think he’s pretty proud too.”Martha Wilkie, nee Raciti, was the daughter of Sicilian immigrants who moved to Far North Queensland in search of a better life.
The family matriarch ran a taxi business in Tully before working at the post office.“She was the glue to the family, a really special lady. Herbert River and Tully rugby league clubs have awards named in her honour, which is amazing,” her son said.“Being such a small community, everyone knew her. What would be an hour job would always take her six because everyone would end up talking to her.“We are out there to represent the club we play for. There are a lot of grassroots players watching and we are role models for the kids who follow rugby league. Their parents want to know they are safe playing the game.
Italy team manager Reno Santaguida said the Pride players bring a high level of experience and professionalism to the group.“I’ve had the pleasure of managing those boys for many years,” Santaguida said.“They’ve been a part of our program for a long time, particularly Joel and Ryan going back to the World Cup in 2013.
“The pride they show every time the wear the Azzurri is outstanding. They’re quality players and quality people who will never let you down.”For Wilkie, who returned to state level rugby league after almost a decade away in 2016, the chance to play alongside Pride teammates and NRL stars such as James Tedesco and Nathan Brown is a dream come true.
“I’m just so stoked mate,” he said. “It’s been a long couple of years. I had it in the back of my mind a couple of years ago when I first came back this could happen and now it’s real.”Italy play Ireland on October 29 at Barlow Park in Cairns. It will be followed by the Scotland versus Tonga match.
In a surprise move, NRL stars Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita will line-up for the Polynesian nation after previously representing New Zealand and Australia respectively.MATT Gillett says World Cup rules should have made punching an automatic sin-bin offence, just as in the NRL, to provide a better showcase for international rugby league.
Rugby League World Cup 2017 referees boss Tony Archer confirmed on Monday that the 14 national teams had been told that players risked being sin-binned for punching.But under international rules it does not merit an automatic sin-bin period, as it has done in NRL and Origin matches since 2013.