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Which Super League players from each club are unfortunate to miss out on World Cup selection

Now all of the World Cups squads have been announced for this years tournament we take a look at which player from each Super League club are unlucky not to make their nations squads.

This could be down to a number of reasons ranging from injuries or not favoured in their position.

St Helens

Agnatius Paasi – Tonga

With Kristian Woolf as his head coach Paasi has been excellent for St Helens this season, with the powerhouse prop arguably their best forward as they made it four Super League titles in a row. He was initially unfortunate to miss out on a Dream Team inclusion and has also missed out on the Tongan Squad. The Tongans are blessed with an incredible pack full of NRL superstars but if any injuries are to occur I’m sure Woolf won’t hesitate to bring Paasi into the fold.

Wigan Warriors

Morgan Smithies – England

The loose forward has been in great form for the Warriors in 2022 and was a key reason they enjoyed a successful first season under head coach Matt Peet. Smithies unfortunately finds himself behind two world class loose forwards in Morgan Knowles and Victor Radley in the England set up but be sure he will make an appearance for England in the not so distant future.

Huddersfield Giants

Chris McQueen – England

McQueen was a Huddersfield’s top try scorer this season as they made the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and made the Challenge Cup final for the first time since 2009. The back rower was recognised for his efforts through the season with his inaugural selection in the Super League Dream team. However, this wasn’t enough for McQueen to add to his sole England cap he received in 2017.

Catalans Dragons

Gil Dudson – Wales

Dudson would have been nailed on to start for John Kear’s Wales at this World Cup had he not got himself suspended for headbutting in the Dragons play off lose to Leeds. The big front row forward was handed a three match suspension meaning he will miss the full group stage for Wales, a big loss for a country also missing Regan Grace

Leeds Rhinos

Kruise Leeming – England

With England short of the usual quality hooker options which we have been blessed with over the years, Leeming looked to be in a good shout of making Shaun Wane’s England squad. However, he has decided to run with Michael McIlorum and Andy Ackers as his dummy half options meaning Leeming’s wait for an England call up goes on.

Salford Red Devils

Jordan Turner – Jamaica

The versatile back suffered an injury disrupted 2022 which saw him miss a large chunk of the season due to a shoulder injury which has ultimately ended his chances of representing Jamaica at their first World Cup. As one of the Reggae Warriors senior players this is a big blow for them and for Turner.

Hull KR

Ethan Ryan – Ireland

Winger Ryan suffered the cruelest of fates as he broke his hand in the Robins final game of the 2022 season which has resulted in him having surgery meaning he will miss the entirety of the World Cup. The outside back enjoyed his breakout season in Super League this season scoring 10 tries and will be a big miss for the Wolfhounds.

Hull FC

Jake Connor – England

Although he is not everyone’s cup of tea, his talent is undeniable and when he is on form he is one of Super Leagues most feared players. That fact is evident as he finished the 2022 season with the most try assists even after missing a portion of the season, his versatility to play anywhere among the backs or in the halves would have been an asset for England but Shaun Wane has decided against taking him.

Wakefield Trinity

Lewis Murphy – England

Although this may seem like a left field choice for the England squad as Murphy hasn’t yet played a full season of Super League, the high flying winger is on an upward trajectory which looks set to take him to international level in the not so distant future. With 17 tries this season he is one of the main reasons Wakefield stayed in Super League in 2022 and could have benefitted further being in the England set up alongside world class players.

Warrington Wolves

Daryl Clark – England

Not many in a Wire shirt had a season to remember in 2022 as they finished the season second bottom so it is no surprise that many regular internationals have not made their nations squads. Former Man of Steel Daryl Clark falls into that category as he has fallen out of favour when it comes to England contention, the dummy half had a poor 2022 but has shown over a number of years he has the ability to compete on the biggest stage. A big 2023 is needed if he is to make it back on to the international scene.

Toulouse Olympique

Daniel Alvaro – Italy

Toulouse bolstered their pack mid-season when they acquired prop Daniel Alvaro from St George Illawarra Dragons and although they did still drop out of Super League Alvaro was a consistent performer for them in the middle. The big front rower last represented Italy in 2017 and would have been looking to make their squad for this World Cup but his performances in France haven’t earned him a selection.

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