Friday 27 October 2017 09:19, UK
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup is almost upon us - the ideal chance to see the world's finest players on the biggest stage.
Australia face England in Melbourne in game one of the tournament - but who in that fixture and throughout the tournament will be catching the attention? We've picked our five to watch out for…
James Tedesco - Italy
Many expected James Tedesco to be pulling on the green and gold jersey for Australia in the 2017 World Cup. He had a fine season in the NRL for Wests Tigers, some eye-catching displays for New South Wales in this year's State of Origin series and a hat-trick for the Australian Prime Minister's XIII when they faced Papua New Guinea in September.
Instead, Tedesco will be representing Italy; Australia coach Mal Meninga opting to go with the experienced Billy Slater alongside Tom Trbojevic and Darius Boyd as his full-back options. This paved the way for Tedesco to pledge his allegiance to Italy for the second time in his career.
Tedesco made his debut for the Azzurri at the 2013 World Cup, making three appearances and scoring a try in their opening-match victory over Wales. He qualifies for Italy through his two grandparents who moved to Australia in the 1960s - and has openly commented openly how proud he is to wear the jersey.
He scored five tries in 21 appearances for Wests in 2017 and was last month named as the Rugby League Players' Association player of the year - an award voted for by the players themselves. A big accolade for Tedesco, who will join Sydney Roosters for the 2018 season after signing a four-year deal with Trent Robinson's side.
He was an asset for the Italians in 2013 at centre and now with more experience under his belt and playing in a more familiar role at full-back, Tedesco could really set the tournament alight - perhaps showing Meninga what he could have had.
Theo Fages - France
A mainstay in the St Helens side throughout 2017 and a very consistent performer, Theo Fages is a huge asset to the French side. Exciting to watch and often off-the-cuff, Fages is a player that can grab the limelight and dictate a game.
Son of former French international Pascal Fages, Theo will be looking to take his club form down under and show the world exactly what he is capable of over the coming weeks.
French coach Aurelien Cologni elected Fages as captain of France when announcing his World Cup squad earlier this month, and at 23 years old this seemed like a bold move - but having featured in over 100 career games the man from Perpignan has demonstrated the experience and knowledge required to lead les Chanticleers into battle.
Fages will partner London Broncos half-back William Barthau in the halves when they take on Lebanon in their opening fixture - a partnership that could be a key component of the French side for at least the next decade.
With tough group games against Lebanon, England and Australia, Fages has a daunting task taking a very young and inexperienced side into the World Cup but will have the belief that they can challenge.
Elliott Whitehead - England
Without a doubt one of England's most consistent and strongest performers in last year's Four Nations competition. Bradford-born Whitehead has gone from strength to strength during his last two seasons in the NRL with Canberra.
Making 50 appearances for the Raiders in the last two years, Whitehead agreed a new deal at the club until the end of 2020 a week ago. He's a player the club expect to continue to grow and flourish over the coming seasons.
Strong in defence and dangerous in attack, the former Bradford Bulls and Catalans Dragons backrower certainly has a huge presence on the field. He's no stranger to the try line either - scoring two tries against Scotland last autumn.
Picking up the Meninga Medal Coaches award at the Raiders for his exploits in 2017, Whitehead is in good form heading into England's World Cup campaign, and although he may not be the most noticeable player on the park for England over the next few weeks, he'll be vital cog and a big contributor for Wayne Bennett's side.
Michael Morgan - Australia
With Johnathan Thurston ruled out through injury for the Kangaroos everyone was wondering who would get the nod and take coveted No 6 jersey for Australia - step forward Michael Morgan.
Replacing a three-time Golden Boot and three-time Dally M winner in Thurston comes with a huge degree of pressure and expectation, but after a stellar 2017 season leading the North Queensland Cowboys to a Grand Final appearance against Melbourne Storm earlier this month, Morgan will be confident.
Team-mate and half-back partner of Thurston at North Queensland Cowboys, Morgan was always going to be a leading candidate, but it's been the 2017 season - where Morgan has played without JT alongside him - that has really aided and enhanced his game, showing what an asset he is on the rugby league field.
Having featured in seven tests so far for Australia, but with six of those coming off the substitutes' bench, Morgan will be looking to stamp his authority on the game for a full 80 minutes and be the leading light for the Kangaroos in the forthcoming World Cup.
Jason Taumalolo - Tonga
What a shock it was when Jason Taumalolo snubbed his selection for New Zealand and opted to play for Tonga just weeks before the tournament - but what a pleasant shock it was for the competition.
His inclusion for Tonga - followed swiftly by Andrew Fifita's decision to also represent them - gives the side a real chance of producing some results in the competition, and everybody will be looking forward to the New Zealand vs Tonga contest on November 11. An upset could well be on the cards.
Having also featured for the Sea Eagles in the 2013 World Cup, Taumalolo has spoken of how much he enjoyed his time with the team last time out and how he sees the benefit of a World Cup to a smaller nation such as Tonga. Taumalolo also wants to help inspire the next generation of Tongan youngsters - vital for the international game.
A huge asset to the North Queensland Cowboys, he signed a 10-year, $10m deal with the club back in March - one of the longest in NRL history. He picked up the Cowboys' player of the year award for 2017 and consistently proves his worth week-in-week-out in the NRL.
Taumalolo is a huge leader on the field - literally and metaphorically. So huge that he was even kicked off Tonga's team plane earlier this month because he was too heavy! He'll take some stopping during the World Cup, and he'll be hoping he can use this to help push Tonga into the tournament's latter stages.
