Participating teams in the Rugby League World Cup

Factbox on teams competing in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup to be held in Australia from October 25-November 22.

POOL 1

The tournament winner will likely emerge from this pool, with the big three of Australia, New Zealand and England all expected to progress to the semi-finals. The marquee match-up will be the opening clash between the Kangaroos and the Kiwis with the winner of that match likely to take top seeding into the semis.

AUSTRALIA

Squad: Darius Boyd, Terry Campese, Petero Civoniceva, Craig Fitzgibbon, Israel Folau, Paul Gallen, Kurt Gidley, Karmichael Hunt, Greg Inglis, Brent Kite, Anthony Laffranchi, Darren Lockyer (capt), Joel Monaghan, Josh Perry, Steve Price, Scott Prince, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Glenn Stewart, Brent Tate, Johnathan Thurston, Anthony Tupou, Anthony Watmough, David Williams.

Key player: Skipper Darren Lockyer wouldn’t be happy with the way his Brisbane side bombed out of the NRL finals, and he’ll be out to make amends in what could be his last major international tournament.

ENGLAND

Squad: Rob Burrow, Mark Calderwood, Gareth Ellis, Mauire Faasavalu, Ade Gardner, Martin Gleeson, James Graham, Mickey Higham, Gareth Hock, Jamie Jones Buchanan, Jamie Langley, Danny McGuire, Adrian Morley, Jamie Peacock (capt), Leon Pryce, Rob Purdham, James Roby, Keith Senior, Kevin Sinfield, Lee Smith, Paul Sykes, Paul Wellens, Ben Westwood, Jon Wilkin.

Key player: Leon Pryce - the man who famously claimed on his last visit to Australia that he’d rather go to Blackpool than Bondi, could set this tournament alight. Billed as England’s version of Greg Inglis thanks to his build and athletic ability, Pryce could be the difference between bowing out of the semis or going all the way.

NEW ZEALAND

Squad: Nathan Cayless (capt), Adam Blair, Greg Eastwood, David Fa’alogo, Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Lance Hohaia, Krisnan Inu, David Kidwell, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Jason Nightingale, Sam Perrett, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith, Iosia Soliola, Evarn Tuimavave, Manu Vatuvei.

Key player: Benji Marshall - the Kiwis desperately need Marshall to come good if they are to be any chance of winning the World Cup, or even making the final. With Thomas Leuluai the only other recognised playmaker in the squad, much falls on Marshall’s fragile shoulders.

PNG

Squad: Paul Aiton, Makali Aizue, Jay Aston, Jason Chan, Neville Costigan, Trevor Exton, Stanley Gene, Rod Griffin, George Kepa, Nickson Kolo, Anton Kui, Tuu Maori, Larsen Marabe, George Moni, David Moore, James Nightingale, Jessie Joe Parker, Keith Peters, Rodney Pora, Kevin Prior, Nicko Slain, Charlie Wabo, John Wilshere (capt), Menzie Yere.

Key player: Neville Costigan - a former Queensland Origin backrower who plays with a unique blend of finesse and brute force. Will be looked to for second phase opportunities for the likes of Peters and Aiton.

Pool 1 Matches

Sat, Oct 25 - England v PNG at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville

Sun, Oct 26 - Australia v NZ at Sydney Football Stadium

Sat, Nov 1 - New Zealand v PNG at Skilled Park, Gold Coast

Sun, Nov 2 - Australia v England at Telstra Dome, Melbourne

Sat, Nov 8 - England v NZ at Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle

Sun, Nov 9 - PNG v Australia at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville

Top three advance to semi-finals

POOL 2

Will anyone challenge Fiji for the right to move through to the semi-final qualifier? The Fijian backline looks to have plenty of points in it with the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Daryl Millard and Wes Naiqama, but the options in the halves aren’t as plentiful. Little is know of the French while Scotland will rely heavily on Bulldogs prop Chris Armit and Warriors hooker Ian Henderson.

FIJI
Squad: Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, Jason Bukuya, Iowane Divavesi, Aaron Groom, Jarryd Hayne, Sevania Koroi, Josua Koroibulu, Jone Macilai, Daryl Millard, Wes Naiqama, Vula Louis Dakuitoga Naqau, Kaliova Nauqe, Alipate Noilea, Josateki Ravueta, Osea Sadrau, Ashton Sims, James Storer, Waisale Sukanaveita, Semi Tadulala, Semisi Tora, Malakai Yalimaiwai Tuiloa, Akuila Uate, Suguturaga Nemani Valekapa, Ilisoni Vonomateiratu, Jone Wesele.

Key player: Ashton Sims - the backs look like they will cause plenty of problems provided they get some room to move, which is where Sims comes into the equation. The Fijian pack will no doubt have plenty of size, but Sims adds that touch of class and experience.

FRANCE

Squad: Eric Anselme, Jean-Philippe Baile, J. Christophe Borlin, Thomas Bosc, Laurent Carrasco, Remi Casty, Olivier Elima, Jamal Fakir, Adel Fellous, Maxime Greseque, Mathieu Griffi, Jerome Guisset, Christophe Moly, Gregory Mounis, Justin Murphy, Dimitri Pelo, Sebastien Planas, Sebastien Raguin, Julien Rinaldi, Teddy Sadaoui, Jared Taylor, John Wilson, James Wynne.

Key player: Jarred Taylor - The dynamic fullback is sure to excite the crowds with his blistering turn of speed. He was the top try-scorer in the French premiership this year.

SCOTLAND

Squad: Chris Armit, Danny Brough, Dean Colton, Paddy Coupar, Gavin Cowan, John Duffy, Ben Fisher, Andrew Henderson, Ian Henderson, Kevin Henderson, Jack Howieson, Paul Jackson, Wade Liddell, Scott Logan, Neil Lowe, David McConnell, Duncan MacGillivray, Iain Morrison, Gareth Morton, Mick Nanyn, Lee Paterson, Michael Robertson, Jonathan Steel, Oliver Wilkes.

Key player: Ian Henderson - the NZ Warriors No.9 was one of the best rakes over the closing rounds of the NRL season and he shapes as the man most likely to cause problems around the ruck.

Pool 2 Matches

Sun, Oct 26 - Scotland v France at Canberra Stadium

Sat, Nov 1 - Fiji v France at WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Wed, Nov 5 - Scotland v Fiji at Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast

Pool winner advances to semi-final qualifier

POOL 3

This pool looks like it will come down to the winner of the showdown at Penrith on October 31 between fierce rivals Tonga and Samoa. Both sides have plenty of players with NRL and international experience, and if they make it through to the semis, could give one of the powerhouses a shake. Ireland could struggle to win a game, but they will no doubt have plenty of support from the green army.

IRELAND

Squad: Ross Barbour, Bob Beswick, Damien Blanch, Mick Cassidy, Ged Corcoran, Lee Doran, Liam Finn, Simon Finnigan, Karl Fitzpatrick, Stevie Gibbons, Sean Gleeson, Scott Grix, Gareth Haggerty, Ben Harrison, Graham Holroyd, Wayne Kerr, Stuart Littler, Michael McIllorum, Eamon O’Carroll, Michael Platt, Pat Richards, Ryan Tandy.

Key player: Pat Richards - The powerful Wigan and former Wests Tigers winger will be a focal point of the Ireland attack, which means he is likely to be used at fullback or in the centres to maximise his potential. A devastating ball-runner and competent goal-kicker.

SAMOA

Squad: Carmont George, Dave Faiumu, Harrison Hansen, Ali Lauititi, Tuaalagi Lepupa, Kylie Leulua’i, Wayne McDade, Francis Meli, Joseph Paulo, Frank Puletua, Tony Puletua, Ben Roberts, Tangi Ropati, Smith Samau, Lagi Setu, Terrence Seuseu, Dave Solomona, Willie Talau, Alby Talipeau, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Te’o, Tupu Ulufale, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana.

Key player: Ben Roberts - Like Benji Marshall for the Kiwis, Roberts is the only real playmaker in the Samoan side. There’s plenty of size and speed in the forwards and the backs, Roberts just needs to bring it all together.

TONGA

Squad: Fraser Anderson, Louis Anderson, Andrew Emelio, Richard Fa’aoso, Awen Guttenbeil, Michael Jennings, Antonio Kaufusi, Toshio Laiseni, Taniela Lasalo, Epalahame Lauaki, Tevita Leo-Latau, Willie Manu, Manase Manuokafoa, Feleti Mateo, Eddie Paea, Lopini Paea, Mickey Paea, Fetuli Talanoa, Joel Taufa’ao, Esikeli Tonga, Etuate Uaisele, Cooper Vuna, Tony Williams.

Key player: Feleti Mateo - the Parramatta wonderboy could be a star of the tournament in what may be his last outing for the Tongans given he is likely to break into the NSW Origin side in coming years.

Pool 3 Matches

Mon, Oct 27 - Tonga v Ireland at Parramatta Stadium

Fri, Oct 31 - Samoa v Tonga at CUA Stadium, Penrith

Wed, Nov 5 - Ireland v Samoa at Parramatta Stadium

Pool winner advances to semi-final qualifier

Finals and classification matches

Sat, Nov 8 - 2nd in Pool 2 v 2nd in Pool 3 at Browne Park, Rockhampton

Sun, Nov 9 - 3rd in Pool 2 v 3rd in Pool 3 at CUA Stadium, Penrith

Mon, Nov 10 - Semi-final Qualifier - Winner Pool 2 v Winner Pool 3 at Skilled Stadium, Gold Coast

Sat, Nov 15 - Semi Final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Sun, Nov 16 - Semi Final at Sydney Football Stadium

Sat, Nov 22 - Final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Super 14 tipping now live for sign-ups. Join now and invite your mates.

Free Email updates:

• Get a daily Rugby League email

Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...

© 2007 AAP