Three Australian World Cup winners who could realistically switch to Super League before France 2025

The Rugby League World Cup has been and gone once again and Australia once again claimed the crown of the best team in the world as they defeated Samoa 30-10 in the decider at Old Trafford making it three World Cups in a row.

This means there is only one player in Super League who has won the World Cup and that is Warrington Wolves’ new signing Josh McGuire. He and fellow new arrival at the Halliwell Jones are the only two Australian internationals in Super League at present after James Maloney left Catalans Dragons at the end of 2021.

So, Australian internationals and World Cup winners are hard to come by in Super League these days. It seems like there’s a good chance that one of the 17 Australian stars at Old Trafford on Saturday will make the move to Super League before the next World Cup, but who could it be.

We’ve picked out the three players most likely to make the switch to Super League ahead of France 2025.

Valentine Holmes
At 27, by the time the next World Cup comes around Holmes will be 30 which is around the age most top NRL stars consider making the move to Super League. It would also be a chance for him to return to the fullback spot and claim a Super League title to go alongside his 2016 NRL title. He is not one to turn his nose up at new challenges abroad having played in the NFL.

Jack Wighton
Wighton will be 32 by the time the next World Cup kicks off. The Canberra Raiders man has done everything but win the NRL down under. A versatile player, it would be interesting to see what position he would play in Super League. The fact he has played alongside the likes of Warrington Wolves star George Williams, Wigan Warriors man John Bateman, ex-Bradford Bulls star Elliot Whitehead and of course former Hull KR hooker Josh Hodgson means he will have heard a lot about Super League and could be tempted like former Canberra stars Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer both of whom now ply their trade at Leeds Rhinos.

Ben Hunt
Another player at the twilight of his career, Hunt is already in his 30s and could have perhaps played his last game for Australia at the weekend. Still chasing a Grand Final win, he may turn to Super League to get it in a similar way Matty Bowen chased Grand Final glory at Wigan Warriors.