{"id":933009,"date":"2026-10-18T21:24:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T21:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/933009\/"},"modified":"2026-10-18T21:24:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T21:24:12","slug":"solution-to-kangaroos-biggest-headache-1m-a-year-debate-over-nov-1-sensation-world-cup-talking-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/933009\/","title":{"rendered":"Solution to Kangaroos\u2019 biggest headache; $1m a year debate over Nov 1 sensation \u2014 World Cup Talking Points"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>An injury to Mitchell Moses has created a two-way battle for the Kangaroos halfback position, but there may be a clear solution as coach Kevin Walters contemplates his options.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, a debate has erupted over the market value of Jack Bostock after his thrilling international debut for Australia.<\/p>\n<p>Watch Australia\u2019s Tour of South Africa Live &amp; Exclusive on Fox Cricket, <a href=\"https:\/\/kayosports.com.au\/en-AU\/welcome\/cricket?extcamp=fsaeditoriallinkcricket-edt-fsp-lnk-awr-grc-cri-kyo&amp;channel=fsa&amp;campaign=fsacontra\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">available on Kayo Sports. Second Test begins October 18.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img class=\"i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792358652_480_poster-fallback.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>WHAT&#8217;S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, a former World Cup star has backed Tonga to win their maiden World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Here, foxsports.com.au looks at the biggest talking points from the opening week of the World Cup!<\/p>\n<p>WHY THERE IS A CLEAR SOLUTION TO KANGAROOS HEADACHE<\/p>\n<p>The Kiwis aren\u2019t the only ones with an injury concern. In fact, while New Zealand is holding out that Kalyn Ponga could return at some point Australia has already ruled Mitchell Moses out for the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>Now, there was no guarantee that Moses was the first-choice halfback anyway given Sam Walker was coming off a premiership-winning campaign with the Roosters.<\/p>\n<p>But there was a strong argument that Moses\u2019 long-range kicking game made him the better complement to the more off-the-cuff Cameron Munster at five-eighth.<\/p>\n<p>Roos praised as Walsh dubbed &#8216;chucker&#8217; | 09:42<\/p>\n<p>With Moses out of the picture, Walters now has two clear options to turn to: either Walker or Tom Dearden.<\/p>\n<p>Neither boasts a similar calibre kicking game to Moses, but Dearden straightened up Australia\u2019s attack and played with a certain composure that at least gave Kevin Walters something to think about.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere was a real shift in that performance for the Aussies when Tom Dearden came on as a replacement for Mitchell Moses,\u201d Corey Parker said on Channel 7.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought he played nice and direct. He caused a lot of problems for the edges of the Kiwis,\u201d added Aaron Woods.<\/p>\n<p>Ponga injured as Aussies beat Kiwis | 03:39<\/p>\n<p>That was consistent with the assessment from both Ryan Papenhuyzen and Shaun Johnson, with the former Golden Boot winner declaring Dearden played with a certain \u201cconfidence and control\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Papenhuyzen, meanwhile, was impressed by the way Dearden set things up for his teammates.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes everyone tries their own thing and tries to win the game on their own merit, whereas you can see Dearden was playing chess,\u201d he said on Channel 7.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was moving his players around the field, being able to anticipate what\u2019s going to happen.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd part of the game was just to get the ball down there. Look at your wingers. Kick it to Bostock &#8211; hat-trick on debut.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVery smart, very well handled by Tom Dearden.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mitchell Moses goes down injured.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Dearden and Walker were already slated to start in Australia\u2019s second World Cup clash regardless of whether Moses or Munster were available as part of Walters\u2019 rotation policy.<\/p>\n<p>However, now that may double as a final audition for the two with Munster is all but locked into the five-eighth jumper.<\/p>\n<p>Woods, however, said that if Walters is looking for pure positional versatility over a back-up hooker on the bench, as was the case against New Zealand, Dearden is the logical option for that role.<\/p>\n<p>In turn, he said that puts Walker in the box seat to start at halfback.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think his versatility is too much,\u201d Woods said of Dearden.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, I reckon the 14 position is locked down to Tommy Dearden. Sam Walker will get a start. I think he will get the first crack after Mitchell Moses has been ruled out but by the time you get to the finals or semi-finals, Tom Dearden could have an opportunity to start at halfback.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aussies flex championship credentials | 01:34<\/p>\n<p>ARE TONGA READY TO SHOCK THE WORLD?<\/p>\n<p>All the talk leading up to the World Cup was about New Zealand\u2019s chances of knocking off Australia in the final on November 15, but has a new contender emerged?<\/p>\n<p>Tonga scored a crucial 30-12 win over England in Perth on Saturday afternoon and a previous World Cup winner thinks they\u2019re now a dark horse in the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>Stirring Sipi Tau inspires Tonga | 01:24<\/p>\n<p>Foxsports.com.au asked 2008 World Cup winner with New Zealand Lance Hohaia if the Kangaroos would play the Kiwis in the final next month.<\/p>\n<p>Watching from his home in Grand Rapids, in Michigan, Hohaia, was struck by how well Tonga handled the English.<\/p>\n<p>When asked if his Kiwis would meet Australia in the final he said: \u201cMy head is saying probably yes, but after watching the Tongan team this morning, with (Haumole) Olakau\u2019atu, Robert Toia, and (Isaiya) Katoa, they were probably three of the best players that I\u2019ve seen (in the tournament).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThose three were right up there in terms of the performance they played, so I don\u2019t know, I mean, Tonga and Samoa, it\u2019s going to be a close tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Tonga celebrate a try during their World Cup opener.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>With the players they\u2019ve got, Tonga\u2019s attack has never really been questioned, but the other side of the ball is where they still need to prove themselves.<\/p>\n<p>They only let in two tries on Saturday and commentator and former premiership winner Luke Keary praised Tonga\u2019s defensive resilience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been a red wall, they\u2019ve saved so many tries,\u201d Luke Keary said on Channel 7.<\/p>\n<p>Former England Test forward James Graham said Tonga \u201canswered the first question\u201d as they look to remind the footy world they\u2019re there to win the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Taumalolo ran for a team-high 174 metres and praised some of his teammates who could have taken more cash in match payments by playing for Australia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome of the boys could\u2019ve easily played for the bigger nations but they chose to represent our little country and our people. Forever grateful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Tonga overpower England in opener | 02:48<\/p>\n<p>Hohaia says it\u2019s tough to predict who will play in the final after seeing Tonga emerge.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m hoping to see the Kiwis in the final. I\u2019m not too bothered whether the Aussies get there or not, to be honest. But I think those are the two best teams in the world right now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The loss for England is a massive blow to the once strong rugby league nation as they could now lose the head-to-head tiebreaker with Tonga, who play Samoa on the final matchday.<\/p>\n<p>England will play France next week and should win well, then they take on Papua New Guinea so they should secure wins there.<\/p>\n<p>But Tonga clash with Lebanon which should be a win before they play Samoa and that\u2019s anyone\u2019s guess.<\/p>\n<p>England need to beat France by a big margin too because if Tonga beats Samoa, a spot in the semis between the two nations will come down to for-and-against and Samoa are on plus 74 after their thumping of the French.<\/p>\n<p>Pools B and C standings after one match<\/p>\n<p>1. Samoa (1-0, +74)<\/p>\n<p>2. Papua New Guinea (1-0, +24)<\/p>\n<p>3. Tonga (1-0, +18)<\/p>\n<p>4. England (0-1, -18)<\/p>\n<p>5. Lebanon (0-1, -24)<\/p>\n<p>6. France (0-1, -74)<\/p>\n<p>Top two advance with head-to-head serving as primary tiebreaker over points difference<\/p>\n<p>Dallin Watene-Zelezniak of Tonga.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe needed to win today to put our destiny in our own hands,\u201d Graham said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUltimately we\u2019ve got to rely on Tonga to beat Samoa, a bit of foreign aid, do us a favour.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the big score Samoa put on France yesterday that adds to the degree of difficulty, so a mountain to climb for England to make the semi-finals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After the loss, England coach Brian McDermott said he was only focused on winning the next two games and putting pressure on Samoa and Tonga.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve seen enough tonight, which is telling me that we\u2019re heading in the right direction. And, again, when you can identify when you\u2019ve lost and it\u2019s not to do with being physically outdone or strategically outdone, which I don\u2019t think it was, it gives me a tremendous amount of confidence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The fans are no doubt much more invested in this World Cup too.<\/p>\n<p>During the 2017 event only games involving Australia attracted TV audiences of more than 500,000, but the England\/Tonga game hit 1 million viewers.<\/p>\n<p>Olakau&#8217;atu stars in Tonga vs England | 02:06<\/p>\n<p>$1 MILLION DEBATE ERUPTS OVER KANGAROOS STAR<\/p>\n<p>Jack Bostock\u2019s stellar debut for the Kangaroos has sparked debate over whether the star outside back could command as much as $1 million a season on his new deal.<\/p>\n<p>Set to hit the open market on November 1, Bostock is shaping up to become one of the most sought-after players, with multiple teams emerging as potential suitors.<\/p>\n<p>While the Dolphins are doing all they can to retain him, the St George Illawarra Dragons are among the clubs expected to go all-in to lure him back home.<\/p>\n<p>After scoring a hat-trick against the Kiwis, former NRL star Reni Maitua believes he has a case for a million-dollar payday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor Bostock to score that try. You could have an argument that he\u2019s a million-dollar winger,\u201d Reni Maitua said on Triple M.<\/p>\n<p>Bostock &amp; Turbo run the length | 00:39<\/p>\n<p>This comes as he believes the Dolphin star\u2019s value extends beyond his ability to score tries, with his versatility another major selling point.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis guy is an outside back who can play centre (and) wing,\u201d Maitua added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan play anywhere you put him so that\u2019s his value. That\u2019s how you want to sort of manage your roster and your salary cap.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While a million-dollar payday is rare for a winger or centre, former Sharks captain Wade Graham argued an individual\u2019s value should be determined by what they bring to the team, not the position they occupy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor me it doesn\u2019t matter what position you play,\u201d Graham explained.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(When) you can negotiate your contract, you can say this is my value, this is what I can bring. I can play wing, centre, put me on the other side. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe can probably play in the forwards if they asked him to. You negotiate your deal as a value for you as a player and what you can bring to the team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnce that deal is done, then your job for the team is whatever the coach decides and whatever they need.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Latrell Mitchell and Jack Bostock of Australia celebrate after defeating New Zealand.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Speaking about his future before his debut, the youngster revealed he is yet to settle on his next move as he continues to weigh up his options.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s still getting figured out now with my manager and the Dolphins,\u201d Bostock said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cObviously being in here doesn\u2019t help the cause, but my manager\u2019s on to it all, so whatever happens we\u2019ll finalise soon. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cLike I said, being in here has made it a little bit difficult because we can\u2019t all meet up, and obviously Woolfy being in Tonga camp as well. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not been the easiest road to sort of get there, but it\u2019s in the works.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Foxsports.com.au then asked him if was his preference to remain at his current club. <\/p>\n<p>To which he replied, \u201cI\u2019m not too sure just yet. But I definitely do want to chat to the Dolphins and get all that rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bostock hatty seals win in DREAM debut | 00:43<\/p>\n<p>KIWIS MUST MOVE ON FROM PONGA LOSS: HOHAIA<\/p>\n<p>The only man to win a World Cup playing fullback for New Zealand has some advice for the squad following news it\u2019s likely to be without superstar Kalyn Ponga for the remainder of the tournament. <\/p>\n<p>Lance Hohaia was part of the 2008 side which stunned Australia in the World Cup Final at Suncorp Stadium and he admitted to foxsports.com.au on Sunday that Ponga\u2019s broken arm was \u201cdeflating\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said Stacey Jones and his squad need to, mentally, put Ponga\u2019s loss behind them quickly. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMoving on from the Kalyn injury is the biggest thing right now. That\u2019s the most important factor in making sure that everybody is moving forward in a positive direction in terms of where the team\u2019s going,\u201d Hohaia said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cObviously we\u2019ve lost one of our key attacking players and leaders and X-factor players so removing that disappointment from our minds as quickly as possible and getting back on track is important.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that\u2019s going to be the talking point.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kiwis HAKA lights up RLWC | 00:35<\/p>\n<p>Ponga has had his broken arm operated on and will stay in camp with the Kiwis hoping to make a miracle comeback for the knockout games in three weeks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHaving him around will benefit the squad and Keano Kini,\u201d Hohaia said.<\/p>\n<p>Kini came on for Ponga in last Thursday night\u2019s 24-22 loss to Australia at Allianz Stadium and had a couple of tackle breaks as he ran for 60m from just five runs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStacey\u2019s probably going to go with Kini and give him the first crack at fullback. But I\u2019m interested to see who he names for that Cook Islands game,\u201d Hohaia said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe did a job for them last year in the fullback role and he\u2019s a dangerous player.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI like the way he plays. I think with his attacking flair and the way that the team is already structured to play around Ponga, it makes sense to put him there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kini is a fine young player, but he\u2019s no Ponga.<\/p>\n<p>The Newcastle Knights fullback scored a double and made three line breaks against the Kangaroos last week and is rated by some as the game\u2019s best player.<\/p>\n<p>Keano Kini will replace Ponga.Source: AFP<\/p>\n<p>Can the Kiwis go on and win it without him?<\/p>\n<p>Hohaia is naturally backing his country to go on and be successful without Ponga but the psychological issues surrounding Ponga\u2019s loss may be a huge factor. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was very excited about him when he declared himself for New Zealand,\u201d Hohaia said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI still thought that we had a good team and a good squad to win the World Cup, but having him play in the team with the way that he played, I was confident, but it\u2019s a little bit deflating now that he\u2019s injured.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not going to lie and I think we all feel that way as Kiwi supporters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think there\u2019s a good opportunity for the squad to galvanise themselves and kind of use that as motivation too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Given the way the game played out on Thursday the Kiwis would probably go on to win eight of 10 times if it was run again.<\/p>\n<p>But they lost.<\/p>\n<p>The Kangaroos could have been behind by 20-plus points at halftime if they didn\u2019t take a couple of intercepts to score tries.<\/p>\n<p>The Kiwis ran for nearly 300m more than the Aussies, which flattered the Kangaroos after three tries to Jack Bostock, Tom Trbojevic and Reece Walsh involved near length-of-the-field runs.<\/p>\n<p>It meant the Kiwi forwards battered the Aussie pack which resulted in the game\u2019s best hooker Harry Grant only having two runs out of dummy half all game.<\/p>\n<p>The Kiwis also had a few tries disallowed while the Kangaroos scored a few tries off kicks.<\/p>\n<p>New Zealand\u2019s best player Ponga even went off after terrorising the Australians. <\/p>\n<p>But, again, they still lost.<\/p>\n<p>Kalyn Ponga scores a try against Australia.Source: AP<\/p>\n<p>Wade Graham, who played eight Tests for Australia, questioned on Triple M how the Kiwis would hit back from the cruel defeat. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWill New Zealand bounce back because they were at their almost best? They probably can\u2019t play a whole lot better than that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought they were in control, their halves, the way they got them around the park with Ponga out the back steering the ship.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey created probably everything that they were after in terms of a game plan, but they just didn\u2019t execute.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo when you\u2019re at your best and you don\u2019t get the result, it can shock your confidence a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>New Zealand has been a great team for a long time and inflicted Australia\u2019s worst Test loss of all time, 30-0 in the 2023 Pacific Championships.<\/p>\n<p>Graham also backed Kini, a 22-year-old, saying he wouldn\u2019t let the side down.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re going to have to deal with no Kalyn Ponga. I suppose the silver lining is Keano Kini was probably one of their best players in the Pacific Championships last year so he\u2019s a fair replacement to come in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Kevvie explains shock fullback call | 07:50<\/p>\n<p>EMERGING STAR\u2019S SHOCK POSITION SWITCH EXPLAINED<\/p>\n<p>During his rookie season for Newcastle, Francis Manuleleua didn\u2019t play in the middle, but instead as a barnstorming edge forward.<\/p>\n<p>So, it came as a surprise to many when the young gun was named in the No. 13 on team list Tuesday for Samoa\u2019s fixture against France.<\/p>\n<p>Manuleleua relished the position switch. He was close to the best player on the field as Samoa thrashed France.<\/p>\n<p>The 22-year-old ran for over 200 metres which was a clear game-high among forwards. He also had eight tackle busts, a line break and a try assists.<\/p>\n<p>According to Samoa coach Ben Gardiner, it had been a plan in the making for nearly three months.<\/p>\n<p>Gardiner, a former Panthers assistant coach, revealed to reporters after Samoa\u2019s 78-4 win that he has a relationship with Manuleleua dating back to the forward\u2019s days in Penith.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt came about with a conversation in Newcastle about maybe two and a half months ago,\u201d Gardiner said.<\/p>\n<p>Gairo Voro opens scoring for PNG | 00:35<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI went up to catch up with Francis. I\u2019ve known Francis for quite a while. He played out at the Panthers when I was out at the Panthers and I knew he had a skill set that was different to what maybe people were seeing in the NRL.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI went up and had a conversation about whether he\u2019d be confident to play that role for us and he\u2019s a fairly confident guy and he said he was very keen to do it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019d made that decision a long time ago that he was going to play there. Like we didn\u2019t need to, you know, experiment with it in the prep.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe knew that he was going to play there when he came into camp and so did he. So, it was a matter of getting his head around it.<\/p>\n<p>Manuleleua had been putting in 80 minute performances for the Knights with regularity this season but playing a full game on an edge compared to as a middle forward is a different beast.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe other thing that was really important is that he\u2019s been playing 80 minutes every week but playing on the edge is a bit different to the middle, so you know he was going to have to get through 80 minutes in the middle which he did really well today.<\/p>\n<p>Francis Manuleleua of Samoa.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe still probably has some things if he looked at his game where he\u2019d go I could have done that a little bit better, but just the physicality and the power through the middle, the line break that he made at the back end of the game.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo still have that physicality there. Pretty impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The move will give the Knights\u2019 coaching staff food for thought.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps it was in their plans anyway, but with Newcastle boasting Manuleleua, Jermaine McEwen and Dylan Lucas to begin next season, to fit all three in the starting line up, one will have to move into lock.<\/p>\n<p>After Friday night\u2019s display, that decision may have already been made.<\/p>\n<p>PNG NRL win in case over use of &#8216;Chiefs&#8217; | 00:25<\/p>\n<p>\u2018WE NEED HELP\u2019: FRANCE URGES NRL FOR HELP<\/p>\n<p>The French national team have doubled down on their plea to the NRL to help grow rugby league in their home country after their 70-4 defeat to Samoa.<\/p>\n<p>After captain Benjamin Garcia warned earlier in the week that French rugby league is fighting to survive because of a lack of financial backing and media exposure, he continued his plea for help.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are all competitors, but it\u2019s the reality of where we are in France,\u201d Garcia said after the match.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor example, when Samoa had Mariner\u2019s injury, they put on Faalogo, who is one of the best players in the NRL. We don\u2019t have this luck in France.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re trying to survive, and it\u2019s hard, but we\u2019re all passionate about the sport and we\u2019ll keep going. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re passionate about rugby league; you don\u2019t understand the situation in France, but there are people like Laurent and like us in the dressing room. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need a bit of help.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Benjamin Garcia of France.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>While the presence of the Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique in the Super League has helped drive engagement and development in the sport, coach Laurent Frayssinous believes the NRL should invest in Europe, particularly France.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have a question for you: do you think the NRL is far better now than four years ago?\u201d Frayssinous said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey have a better team (than the last World Cup) with more experience and better players. But that\u2019s them and I want to focus on us, and what I can tell you is we have good players in our camp. We just need a bit more connection, so we\u2019ll be better next weekend. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe NRL keeps growing and keeps getting better every year. Watching NRL every year, it\u2019s at the top, at the top, at the top; a step up, step up, step up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoes that mean Super League doesn\u2019t (get better every year)? No. Super League is better every year, but not as fast as the NRL. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s the difference; the smartness, the skill the guys have under pressure and under fatigue, week in, week out. That\u2019s something we need to improve in Super League, simple as that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne performance doesn\u2019t reflect the level of Super League or the NRL, just us. We\u2019ll take our medicine, and we\u2019ll be better next weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Samoa demolish France in biggest WC win | 02:44<\/p>\n<p>It comes after talks between the NRL and Super League over a partnership have reportedly fallen through.<\/p>\n<p>While it has yet to be confirmed, the deadline passed without the two parties striking an official agreement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat the NRL have done here is so good,\u201d added Frayssinous. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat they bring to the game is great. We want the NRL to do the same in Europe; for us there\u2019s no question.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are a few things we want the NRL to invest in. We spoke about the last four years and how the game has evolved and is better over the last four years, and that\u2019s what we want in Super League. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor that, it\u2019s a full circle: do we invest in the staff, the players or the environment, and that\u2019s what you want for things to be better.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, it\u2019s about money, but it\u2019s also about strategy and how you grow the game in Europe. What the NRL have done here is a perfect example to follow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Spencer Leniu of Samoa.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Pressed on his impassioned plea, he was asked which specific area he wanted to improve in France in the coming years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGrassroots first, definitely,\u201d he continued. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are some great Super League clubs; Catalans is a great Super League club like Wigan, they\u2019re already well-settled. <\/p>\n<p>But instead of having four clubs in their region, can we have 10 (feeding in)? Can we have more children who play rugby league in France and in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s what we want; that\u2019s the start.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Samoa score CRUSHING win over France | 02:26<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"An injury to Mitchell Moses has created a two-way battle for the Kangaroos halfback position, but there may&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":933010,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[64,63,760,85],"class_list":["post-933009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-rugby","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/933009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=933009"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/933009\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/933010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=933009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=933009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=933009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}