A plea from England-bound duo Michael Crocker and Danny Buderus to play in the World Cup appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr has shot down claims from the in-form pair that they "had a right" to play in the tournament.

Crocker and Buderus have urged Test selectors not to forget them despite announcing they will link with English Super League clubs Hull and Leeds respectively next season.

They are anxious after Test coach Ricky Stuart called for players who had committed to English clubs to be snubbed for the World Cup.

Their nerves would not have been helped by Carr.

"Players know if they don't play in the NRL their likelihood of selection is extremely limited," Carr said in Brisbane.

"So if they make the decision to go and play overseas, representative footy historically is out of reach."

Carr said selectors would only be interested in players involved in Australia's long-term plans.

"We don't give instructions to selectors not to select these (overseas-bound) players," he said.

"But they have a brief where they have to pick the best team available and keep an eye to the future.

"So players not available to participate for Australia in the future, it could affect that part of the criteria.

"If players elect to go and play in the Super League that's part of the risk they take."

Crocker and Buderus would technically still be contracted to the NRL when the World Cup starts in October as NRL contracts usually expire in November.

The World Cup kicks off on October 8 and culminates with the final at Brisbane on November 22.

"But the issue with Crocker and Buderus is at the time of the World Cup final they won't have an NRL contract," Carr said.

Meanwhile, the ARL boss confirmed the returning Trent Barrett would be eligible for World Cup selection.

Barrett will leave Wigan and link with Cronulla after signing a two-year deal with the Sharks from 2009.

"He is returning to Australia so will have an NRL contract," Carr said of Barrett.

"We've had a precedent set by Jamie Lyon who did exactly the same thing in 2006 and was picked for Australia because he had an NRL contract.

"I'm not saying he will get picked (but) it wouldn't be impossible if the selectors decided his form warranted it."

Barrett has not lost his touch in England - he narrowly missed the Super League's Man of Steel title last year and snapped up the 2007 English Rugby League Writers Association Player of the Year award.

Barrett is returning because his pregnant wife Kylie is homesick.

"It's great to see Trent back in the NRL," NRL boss David Gallop said in Brisbane.

"Clearly the two lifestyles on offer are very different, it's not surprising that guys get homesick.

"It would be good to see Trent back in the competition."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP