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Live sport on SN this weekend'Do us a solid': Aussie-born Warrior's World Cup plea
George Clarke, AAP •  August 29th, 2026 12:18 pm
Wayde Egan says on one hand he'd love to play for NZ but on the other he's unsure of eligibility | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
Wayde Egan has seen all the speculative World Cup teams being put out on social media that have listed him to start at hooker for the Kiwis - but the only problem is the Warriors star doesn't know if he is eligible.
Egan was born in Lithgow in NSW and came through Penrith's junior system before landing at the Warriors in late 2019.
He completed a pre-season in Auckland across that summer but then spent the next two and half years in Australia as a result of the Warriors relocating to Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It wasn't until midway through the 2022 season that the 29-year-old got to play a NRL game at the Warriors' Mt Smart Stadium home, before permanently remaining in New Zealand for the 2023 campaign onwards.
Wayde Egan's club form has plenty of fans calling for him to also play for New Zealand | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
International Rugby League rules require a player to have resided in a country for five years to make an eligibility switch on residency grounds.
So unless Kiwis coach Stacey Jones can pull a few strings because of Egan's COVID-19-enforced exile in Australia, the hooker may miss out by just a few months.
"I'm not too sure (if I qualify), I keep getting chucked up and people are sending me messages and stuff putting my name together," Egan told AAP.
"If I keep playing well for the Warriors and if those talks come up, they come up and if not then they don't.
"I moved over properly in 2022 but I had the years where we were playing for the Warriors (in Australia) in 2020 and 2021.
"He knows a few people, Stacey, so he might be able to do us a solid.
"It is my second home, New Zealand, and if those conversations come down the line it'd be pretty cool.
"I feel like I represent New Zealand with our Warriors team and I love playing in this jersey for a one-club country and whenever I put on a Warriors jersey I want to make those people proud."
Wayde Egan is keen to keep delivering for the Warriors and ensure a home final | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Egan would face stiff competition from Dolphins rake Jeremy Marshall-King as well as South Sydney's Brandon Smith and Newcastle dummy-half Phoenix Crossland if he were to get the green light to play for the Kiwis.
Regardless of his eligibility, Egan is in a sweet spot and has the Warriors firmly in the race for the minor premiership.
The Warriors entered round 26 in first spot on the ladder ahead of home games against Newcastle and Manly to round out their regular season.
Winning both matches should be enough to secure a top-two finish and the chance to host a week one finals game.
"You've probably seen our fans in New Zealand, they're crazy," Egan said.
"We've got fans everywhere we go in Australia but to get a home final I can imagine the buzz in the city.
"We had one a few years ago and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life so to get one again would be huge."
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of Rugby League World Cup 2026 this October and November - download the app today on Google Play and the App Store.
Weather report for Warriors vs Knights Round 26 | Warriors Live
