Baggage handler off to World Cup

A baggage handler at Sydney Airport will be checking in today for the trip of a lifetime–representing the Cook Islands at the Rugby League World Cup.

Rea Pittman, a 20-year-old centre from Cronulla, needed to apply for leave at late notice when Auckland-born Penrith Panthers back Geoff Daniela was forced to withdraw from the 23-man squad after suffering a knee injury.

Daniela suffered the agonising blow while playing for the Windsor Wolves in the NSW Cup grand final against Cronulla last Sunday, and was ruled out following scans.

Cook Islands coach David Fairleigh - a member of Ivan Cleary’s coaching staff at the Panthers - sympathised with Daniela. Unlike the Kiwis’ selection process, Fairleigh’s was straightforward.

"It’s not like we’ve got hundreds of players to pick from."

And none like Sonny Bill Williams - although Fairleigh will be delighted to see the controversial star run on to Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium next Monday (NZT).

The Cooks have a pre-tournament match against the Kiwis, a game that potentially takes on extra significance, following Williams’ decision to make himself available.

"It would be tremendous for Sonny Bill to play not only for us, but for the crowd up there too. We’ll just have to wait and see," said Fairleigh.

Two Sydney Roosters who did not make the cut for last weekend’s decider against Manly - Tinirau Arona and Dylan Napa - should log game time against the Kiwis in a warm-up that will feature an extended interchange bench. Fairleigh was looking forward to harnessing Arona - who has not played in the NRL since the Roosters clinched the minor premiership - and Napa, who was unlucky to be omitted last weekend, after Luke O’Donnell recovered from a hamstring injury.

The bulk of his squad were involved in the finals’ series’ either in the Holden Cup, NSW Cup, NRL or Super League, so the likes of former and current NZ Warriors, Isaac John (Penrith) and Dominique Peyroux, should also feature against the defending champions.