A-LEAGUE: All Blacks to host Sydney FC in the World Cup Rugby League is set to kick off on Wednesday night, with the Strikethrough, Striketseries and All Blacks all set to join up with the All Blacks for the tournament.
Strikers coach Paul McGregor will take on Sydney FC, who will take their place in Group A along with the Sharks and Hurricanes.
The All Blacks are in Group B with the Crusaders and Knights, while the Hurricanes will be looking to progress through the group stage.
Sydney FC have yet to announce the match date, but McGregor told reporters the All Black side will travel to New Zealand to play a home game against the Hurricanes on Sunday.
It’s been a long road for Sydney FC after the Sydney Roosters were dumped out of the Rugby World Cup on Thursday, leaving them just one point behind the Rooster.
The club had been expected to qualify for the competition after finishing second in the 2015 competition.
The club has also been linked with the possibility of a move to the United Arab Emirates, where the New Zealand Rugby League’s national team play.
The Strikeseries are set to travel to Australia for a match against the Sydney Broncos on Saturday, but the game is not expected to be televised in Australia due to the weather.
The Hurricanes will join up in Group C alongside the Crusades, Sharks, Hurricanes and Knights.
They will take part in the tournament with the Sea Eagles and the Sydney Storm, but will be without star winger Michael Jennings.
The Roosts are in the midst of a four-match losing streak, while Sydney FC have already dropped a match to the Knights, with a loss to the Storm also causing trouble for the club.