How former Leeds Rhinos transfer target is still playing despite no place in World Cup joined by ex-star serving four-year ban

Around a month ago, the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Ben Barba were making headlines as the played in the Khoori Knockout Tournament playing despite the end of the NRL season and the fact Mitchell was waiting for the world cup.

Now more NRL stars are playing despite the end of the season and not being included in the World Cup itself according to Code Sport.

Australia international and one of the men who were unlucky not to make Mal Meninga’s 24-man Australia squad, Damien Cook is one of them.

Cook is a State of Origin star and is keeping fresh and fit during the off-season ahead of what he will hope is a big season for him and Souths in 2023.

He’s joined by Kyle Flanagan who has been linked with man a move to Super League with prior reported interest from Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos as reported by sources down under.

But the headline maker is Bronson Xerri. The centre scored 13 tries in 22 games back in 2019 before he failed a drug test in 2020 which resulted in a four-year ban which hasn’t yet been served.

So, how is this trio finding a way to play throughout the off-season and, in Xerri’s case, despite being banned.

Well the answer is Oztag.

The trio are currently enjoying a spell for a Cronulla based Oztag team to keep themselves fit.

Oztag, as the name suggests, is the Australian tag rugby competition and is presently being adorned by the presence of these three star names.