League power shifting

SYDNEY: Samoa coach Matt Parish has boldly predicted that the days of Australia, England and New Zealand dominating the international game are over and at least one of the big three will be toppled by another nation during this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
“I don’t think it is the big three anymore,” Parish said.
“I actually think it is the big six or the big seven because they have changed the international eligibility rules for players and I think the gap between the third and fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh nations isn’t that great now.”
While Scotland secured a draw with New Zealand during last year’s Four Nations and Italy shocked England in a warm-up match before the 2013 World Cup, no tier two country has beaten one of the big three in a Test or major tournament for more than 35 years.
However, Parish said the new eligibility rules would enable the likes of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea to field their strongest possible teams for the first time during this year’s World Cup in Australia, New Zealand and PNG.
“Everyone wants to see the best players playing and that is what is going to happen in this World Cup, which is fantastic,” Parish said.
“We can get players that we have always wanted to pick so I think you will find that Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, PNG and even Scotland are going to be very competitive against Australia, New Zealand and England.”
The PNG Kumuls could have one of their strongest squads for their three World Cup fixtures in November.
With hooker James Segeyaro settled in at Cronulla as well as Kato Ottio (Canberra), Justin Olam (Melbourne), Rod Griffin (Canterbury) and David Mead (Brisbane) all involved in the NRL and its feeder competitions, the stage is set for coach Michael Marum to have the best PNG talent available in years.
Added to that is the possiblity of snaring North Qld Cowboys rising star Gideon Gela-Mosby, the Kumuls could be field an exciting if not competitive side.
The Kumuls are set to play the Cook Islands in a revamped May Test structure.
Samoa plays England while Fiji and Tanga lock horns in the other clash of the representative period. – NRL.com