EXCLUSIVE: Gregan's bullish prediction on rugby's NRL raid as history repeats ahead of home World Cup

History looks set to repeat 24 years on with an influx of NRL talent into the Wallabies for the 2027 home Rugby World Cup.

Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor formed an all-code hopper back three for Australia on their heart-thumping run to the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.

And ex-league star Les Kiss - who will coach the Wallabies - will have access to Angus Crichton, Zac Lomax, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for the sport's showpiece tournament.

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Tom Wright and Carter Gordon have also played in the NRL.

"The players have come over because they want to play in the third biggest sporting event in the world," Wallabies legend George Gregan told Wide World of Sports at the Hong Kong Sevens.

"You've got the summer Olympics, football World Cup and then you've got Rugby World Cup. It's a big event and the world's watching, so you want to be part of it.

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"I think that's what brought the likes of Dell and LT and they had to work hard to get into the team because we had wonderful players.

"(Chris) Latham, (Matt) Burke, (Joe) Roff - you go back to the 2003 squad, the guys that didn't even make the match-day team is unreal."

Indeed, Crichton and Suaalii will have to force their way past reigning John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau to earn a start in the centres.

And Lomax and Nawaqanitawase have Wright, Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch, Filipo Daugunu and Corey Toole to contend with out wide.

Gregan is now based in London where he chairs the Global Rugby Players Foundation and works as a rugby pundit.

The 1999 World Cup winner also got a good look at NSW Waratahs recruit Crichton in the flesh recently and walked away impressed.

Crichton's idol as a junior was Tuqiri - who scored the only try of the 2003 final.

"I watched Angus play last year at Wembley for the Kangaroos," Gregan said.

"The man can play and he's got pedigree in playing rugby union. He's on the sidelines at Shute Shield games and so this will be a great challenge for him. He's all in and that's what you want.

"You don't just get given that Wallabies jersey. Those guys have all got big match experience and big game temperament. Playing for the Roosters in finals. State of Origin, playing for Kangaroos at Wembley.

"They bring calmness and confidence which is infectious around the team."

World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson was Australia's head of high performance in 2003, as Wallabies coach Eddie Jones picked off some of the rival code's best.

"That was quite a thoughtful programme at the time," Robinson told WWOS in Hong Kong.

"Those boys really did lean in and respect that and work hard to be a part of that team. It's great to have the armoury and bring across talent."

Robinson's son Tom is captain of the Junior Wallabies team that is currently competing at the under-20 Rugby Championship in South Africa.

"I'm really buoyed by what's possible at the World Cup. I was there in South Africa last year, sitting beside Waughy (Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh) when the boys (Wallabies) won for the first time in 64 years.

"I've been to that stadium (Ellis Park), played there and know how hard it is.

"That's quite an incredible thing to have done, so that for me is a sign that there is something there that could be quite special."

Sam Worthington travelled to the 2026 Hong Kong Sevens thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific