Mitch Moses is expected to prioritise Australia if an international tug of war breaks out, after Nathan Cleary’s bone damage left the Penrith star in doubt for the World Cup.
The Panthers expect Cleary to play in their NRL preliminary final against either the Warriors or Newcastle this month despite his foot injury, with the halfback on light duties until then.
But what role he will be able to play in the World Cup is questionable, given the superstar No.7’s bone-stress injury in his right foot is a result of overuse.
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Moses, meanwhile, headlines a throng of players who appeared in multiple nations’ preliminary 40-man squads, when entered to World Cup officials this month.
The Parramatta halfback is one of several playmakers understood to be in Australia’s group, alongside Cleary, Tom Dearden, Cameron Munster, Ethan Strange, Sam Walker and Matt Burton.
Moses did not play in last year’s Ashes, but the fact he was picked for that tour and travelled with the team shows the regard in which Kevin Walters holds the Eels star.
The 31-year-old featured in both the 2017 and 2022 World Cups for Lebanon, and would be guaranteed to wear the Cedars’ No.7 jersey if he runs out for that country.
Parramatta star Mitch Moses is eligible to play for both Australia and Lebanon at the World Cup. Credit: AAP But AAP understands Moses would preference Australia if picked in the final 23-man squad, which will be confirmed after the NRL grand final.
Lebanon have already been dealt a blow in the halves ahead of the tournament, with five-eighth Adam Doueihi undergoing shoulder surgery.
Beyond Moses, several other players still have their futures up in the air just four weeks out from the start of the tournament.
Robert Toia is understood to have indicated to coach Kristian Woolf he is committed to play for Tonga, regardless of other interest, as is Sydney Roosters teammate Siua Wong.
Jacob Laban, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Jamayne Isaako, Francis Manuleleua and Tom Mikaele were all part of New Zealand’s preliminary squad, but could have to decide between the Kiwis or Samoa.
Fonua Pole and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak could play for New Zealand or Tonga, as can rising Roosters star Salesi Foketi.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is yet to publicly declare whether he will play for Australia or Samoa, after opting to go on the Kangaroos’ Ashes tour last year.
Canberra veteran Josh Papalii is in both the Samoa and Cook Islands preliminary squads, having been non-committal publicly on who he will play for.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Xavier Willison also appear in the Cook Islands squad as well as New Zealand’s, while Oregon Kaufusi could line up for Samoa or Tonga.
Officials are also still completing eligibility checks on a number of players, with Samuela, Latu and Sione Fainu yet to be cleared to play for Fiji.
The trio are all eligible for Tonga, but have indicated their preference is to represent Fiji in this year’s tournament.