Calls for Indigenous, Maori All Stars teams to join Rugby League World Cup grow louder

Rugby league journeyman Joel Thompson has backed calls for the Indigenous All Stars and Maori sides to be introduced to this year's World Cup.

The growing chorus of support comes following the withdrawals of both the Kangaroos and Kiwis, the two best international teams in rugby league, from the showpiece event, set to be played in England in October and November.

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The Australian Rugby League Commission and New Zealand Rugby League both opted to can their World Cup campaigns due to safety concerns for players and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ex-Kangaroos star Blake Ferguson and a former Eels teammate of his, Brad Takairangi, had already thrown their support behind Indigenous and Maori All Stars teams joining the World Cup.

And former Raiders, Dragons and Sea Eagles forward Thompson, who's now in his final year of top-grade footy with Super League club St Helens, has now given a host of reasons why the International Rugby League should make the move.

"Let's make it happen. Get the Indigenous/Maori sides into the World Cup," Thompson, who played seven games with the Indigenous All Stars between 2010 and 2020, wrote on Twitter.

"Strict protocols can make it safe for the players in the UK.

"Rugby league needs to keep moving forward through the pandemic. We're seeing this with most sports across the world."

The Rugby League Players Association slammed the decisions of Australia and New Zealand to abandon the World Cup.

RLPA boss Clint Newton said players weren't consulted in the call, while James Tedesco, Damien Cook and Christian Welch are among the representative footballers who've said they would like to participate.

"The news... that Australia and New Zealand will not compete in the 2021 World Cup is no doubt disappointing for players who were hoping to represent their nations in the tournament," Newton said in a RLPA statement.

"For players representing remaining participating nations, our priority will be to help ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place, and also provide them with the relevant information to make an informed decision about participation.

"We had anticipated that players from Australia and New Zealand would have that same opportunity, which has unfortunately been taken away from them with... (the) decision."

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys explained the call.

"Not participating in this year's World Cup is not a decision the Commission has taken lightly, but we must put the best interests of our players and officials first. Protecting them is our absolute priority," V'landys said in an ARLC statement.

"In the current environment, the risks to the safety, health and wellbeing of the players and officials travelling from Australia to participate in the tournament this year are insurmountable.

"The majority of NRL players are currently living away from home under difficult biosecurity protocols. They would then be required to remain under protocols and away from home for the duration of the tournament before again quarantining on return to Australia. This is too much to ask our players and officials to do.

"We have again requested the IRL and Rugby League World Cup consider postponing the event until 2022 to enable all players to participate."

One issue with calls to postpone the World Cup to 2022, when England is expected to be in a significantly better situation regarding COVID-19, is it'd clash with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, set to be played in November and December next year.

The IRL is also hopeful of capitalising on the momentum produced by major events held in England this year, such as Wimbledon and the European football championship.