Talkin Sport - Australia recall Tupou from Tonga

Australia have called up Anthony Tupou for the World Cup after Michael Crocker failed to recover from a rib injury.

Tupou had been named in Tonga's squad after the Sydney Roosters forward initially missed the cut for Australia.

"The only country Anthony is eligible for is Australia," insisted Australian Rugby League chief Geoff Carr.

Crocker, who will join Super League side Hull next season, broke a rib in Melbourne Storm's NRL Grand Final defeat by Manly on Sunday.

Manly, who crushed the Storm 40-0, have six representatives in the squad.

Winger David Williams and forwards Josh Perry, Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough are joined by team-mates Brent Kite and Brett Stewart.

"It's a great reward for a very, very good football team," said Australia coach Ricky Stuart, who has named Brisbane's Darren Lockyer as captain.

Tupou, 25, would have required clearance from the sport's governing body to appear for Tonga after winning six caps for Australia.

Carr confirmed: "Anthony Tupou's country of election is Australia."

The World Cup starts in Australia on 25 October.

Holders Australia are in a group with New Zealand, England and Papua New Guinea, with three teams making it through to the semi-finals.

The final will be held in Brisbane on 22 November.

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Australia: Terry Campese (Canberra), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith), Anthony Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), Israel Folau (Melbourne), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Justin Hodges (Brisbane), Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Brent Kite (Manly), Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast), Darren Lockyer (captain, Brisbane), Joel Mongahan (Canberra), Josh Perry (Manly), Steve Price (New Zealand Warriors), Scott Prince (Gold Coast), Billy Slater (Melbourne), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Brett Stewart (Manly), Glenn Stewart (Manly), Brent Tate (New Zealand Warriors), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), Anthony Watmough (Manly), David Williams (Manly).

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Brent Tate