With the Four Nations set to commence at Suncorp Stadium tonight, let’s take a look through the squads of each nation, their preparation leading up to the tournament, and which team is poised to raise the cup on November 15th.

Australia Kangaroos
The current World Cup and Four Nations holders, Australia is the goliath of international rugby league.

The Kangaroos have only lost 10 games from their past 74 matches.

Coached by the enigmatic Tim Sheens, the Roos are currently on a 16-match winning streak, and were undoubted favourites just a few months ago.

Now consider the following players, who through injury, surgery from injury, or ditching the code to pursue an NFL deal, are unavailable: Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd, Jarryd Hayne, Johnathan Thurston, Nate Myles, Jake Friend, Matt Scott, Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough, Paul Gallen, James Tamou, Andrew Fifita, Trent Merrin, Matt Gillett.

A team with these players would be too much for any opposition to defeat. Too easy, mate.

Only six players from the Anzac Test match remain to meet the Kiwis: captain Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Daly Cherry-Evans, Greg Inglis, Greg Bird and Corey Parker.

These players have played 116 international matches, collectively scoring 268 points. Forgetting the rest, the least we can expect is Bird and Parker digging in like a pair of work horses, Cronk, Smith and Inglis applying some Melbourne Storm plays, and Cherry-Evans to have at least one ‘Hail Mary’ charge at the line on the last tackle, probably coming up with a try.

It is the rest of the team that causes consternation. Sheens is debuting five rookies, two of which have only tasted representative level in the City versus County match.

Will Aaron Woods be able to match the Kiwi forward pack? The Wests Tigers front-rower has had a decent 2014 NRL season, averaging 31 tackles, 12 hit-ups and 130 metres over 21 games. Woods was also instrumental in the gritty New South Wales win over Queensland in the State of Origin this year.

Compare this with New Zealand’s Jesse Bromwich, who averaged 29 tackles, 13 hit ups and 145 metres ran over 23 games playing with the Melbourne Storm.

Not much between them stat-wise, but as they say, ‘Statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.’ Take England’s George Burgess for example. Statistically he was below Woods and Bromwich, but won the South Sydney Rabbitohs a premiership. How can you quantify a barnstorming Gorgeous George charge to set up his teammates?

After winning an NRL premiership with the Sydney Roosters in last year, Aidan Guerra also represented Italy in their 2013 World Cup campaign, before switching his allegiance to Australia this year in order to play for Queensland in the State of Origin. Guerra handled these tests well, scoring two tries for Italy and one for Queensland. Fierce, tenacious, and always looking for gaps between a tiring forward pack, Guerra will be dangerous for the Kangaroos.

With all the standard Australia wingers unavailable, Sheens has found two more-than-worthy replacements in Josh Mansour from the Penrith Panthers, and Daniel Tupou from the Sydney Roosters.

Both have played on the international stage, Tupou for Tonga at the 2013 World cup, while Mansour represented Lebanon in the 2009 European Cup. Both are dominant wingers, scoring over a dozen tries this year for their clubs, and providing their own unique skills. For Tupou, it is his 195cm height and massive reach. For Mansour, it’s brute strength.

South Sydney’s Dylan Walker showed explosive form towards the end of the NRL season, ending among the top players for line breaks, line break assists, and try assists. Versatile as a centre, winger or in the halves, Walker is another handy replacement in this dubbed ‘second-tier team’.

Along with the rookies, returning to the green and gold is lightning quick centre Michael Jennings from the Roosters, and Brisbane Bronco Sam Thaiday. Thaiday joins Woods in the front row to some raised eyebrows since Thaiday is a second rower.

The Newcastle Knights’ Beau Scott and Auckland-bound Ryan Hoffman make up the second row. Both are powerful, reliable, and above all else, experienced at this level.

Finally the bench. Selecting Wests Tigers Hooker Robbie Farah there is strange, considering Cameron Smith almost always plays 80 minutes. Farah had recently been asked by Tigers coach Mick Potter to consider sitting out these Four Nations series, in order to properly prepare for the 2015 NRL season, but he opted to take up a bench spot. Let’s hope Sheens doesn’t find himself in more trouble because of Farah.

Having missed the trans-Tasman Test due to wretched form, and even being dropped for a few weeks by Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, Josh Papalii has found himself a spot on the squad.

“There’s a lot of great players there who deserve this spot I have. But obviously Sheensy stuck with me and hopefully I can do the job for the boys and hopefully our team,” the 22-year-old wrecking ball said recently an interview with NRL.com.

Chances of winning
The Kangaroos are overwhelming favourites to win the competition. A wealth of experience and talent across the paddock should see them deliver the expected result.

Every player will need to be switched on for the duration of the comp, as complacency has always been their greatest obstacle – everyone remembers the 2008 World Cup. Then there was the 2010 Four Nations, another humbling from the boys across the Tasman.

You might think this Cup is in the bag, but then again, you probably thought it was those times as well.

Australia Kangaroos
Coach: Tim Sheens
1. Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2. Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers)
3. Michael Jennings (Sydney Roosters)
4. Dylan Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
5. Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
6. Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
7. Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
8. Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
9. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
10. Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
11. Beau Scott (Newcastle Knights)
12. Ryan Hoffman (New Zealand Warriors)
13. Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans)

14. Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
15. Aidan Guerra (Sydney Roosters)
16. Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
17. Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos

New Zealand Kiwis
Stephen Kearney’s Kiwis are to be taken lightly at one’s own peril. Dealing with several injuries own their own, and Sonny Bill Williams departing to rugby union, New Zealand has also had to restructure.

Having helped take North Queensland Cowboys to the finals this year, Jason Taumalolo will put on the black jersey for the first time. Averaging 126 metres, 20 tackles and 10 hit ups, Taumalolo will be looking to impress upon debut.

The halves pairing of the Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran will be dangerous from anywhere. Johnson is elusive and unpredictable, while Foran is extremely efficient at guiding a team around the paddock. Both also have superb kicking games which will threaten the opposition.

Filling in at hooker for the suspended Issac Luke, Thomas Leuleui will be flat out to unsettle the Roos in the ruck, as Luke is prone to do.

The young Kiwi backline was set to feature another newcomer in Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, though injury forced Kearney to shuffle in utility back Gerald Beale instead. While Beale is experienced in the Kiwi jersey, with six Tests under his belt, his reputation is as a stalwart, not game changer.

Dean Whare and Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the centres provide some attacking spark, and Jason Nightingale is one of the best finishers in the game.

Pita Hiku continues to hold the fullback position over Josh Hoffman, due to his impressive season with the Manly Sea Eagles. As a protégé for Brett Stewart, Hiku has developed into a stunning talent and will be a key asset for New Zealand.

Up front are former Melbourne Storm teammates Kenny Bromwich and Adam Blair. Bromwich is ranked among the top for offloads, and Blair is a Kiwi veteran with 25 Tests.

New Zealand Warriors and Kiwis Captain Simon Mannering makes up the second row along with Kevin Proctor from the Storm, who are both more than capable of digging in and bashing their opposing number.

The New Zealand bench of Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, Martin Tapau and Tohu Harris gives Kearney a steady rotation of powerful impact players to come tearing onto the field.

Chances of winning
Every time the Kiwis perform the Haka, the players’ eyes speak of the honour of representing the New Zealand culture, the people, and the nation.

Besides Saturday’s Test, New Zealand will play every game on home soil, including the final, should they get that far. While the bookies may spin a different yarn, on the field, in the moment, it is a matter of belief. And this belief has shaken the Australians many times before.

New Zealand Kiwis
Coach: Stephen Kearney
1. Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles)
2. Jason Nightingale (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters)
4. Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)
5. Gerard Beale (St. George Illawarra Dragons
6. Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles)
7. Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors)
8. Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
9. Thomas Leuluai (New Zealand Warriors)
10. Adam Blair (Wests Tigers)
11. Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors)
12. Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm)
13. Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)

14. Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers)
15. Greg Eastwood (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
16. Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers)
17. Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm)

England Lions
Once fighting under the banner of Great Britain with Scottish and Welsh players, the Brits have had their fair share of glory over the past 100 years, winning 15 of 34 Ashes Series against Australia, before the Great Britain team was split into England, Scotland and Wales.

Since then England has tended to lack the components of Australia and New Zealand. This time around, things look to have improved.

England’s coach Steve McNamara has withdrawn captain Sean O’Loughlin from playing the opening match again Samoa, much to the dismay of loyal English fans, so the leadership role is being filled by 2014 NRL forward of the year James Graham.

Graham’s contribution to the Canterbury Bulldogs this year was sensational. He was touted by rugby league pundits as the single threatening force against South Sydney in the grand final.

Alongside him in the front row is George Burgess, his opponent on that day and brother to Sam Burgess who had his cheek bone crunched by Graham’s head on the opening tackle. Expect a game of one-hit upmanship between these two.

Joe Westerman from Hull F.C is one of five players selected in their first game for Queen and Country, replacing O’Loughlin at lock. The 24-year-old carries impressive stats, with a top-20 place for metres ran and tackle busts in this season’s Super League. Westerman will be hungry for taking hit ups as well, being the overall third-highest carrier of the ball.

Some flak has been levelled at McNamara’s second row selection of the Wigan Warriors pair Liam Farrell and Joel Tomkins, who some say are too small to match it with Samoa’s big boppers, but as the old PETA-friendly adage goes, ‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog that counts.’

Canberra Raiders-bound hooker Josh Hodgson has played two games in 2012 for the England Knights, scoring a try against Ireland on debut.

England’s outer backline is mostly unchanged, with potent wingers Josh Charnley and Ryan Hall looking to replicate the try-scoring prowess they demonstrated during the Super League season for their respective clubs, Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos.

Kallum Watkins and Michael Shenton in the centres are dominant in Super League, though in what invariably shapes up into an NRL-Super League comparison, the focus will be on them to match their centre counterparts in the other nations.

The pairing of Gareth Widdop and Matthew Smith in the halves is an inspiring selection, Smith being ranked third for try assists for Wigan Warriors, and Widdop establishing his mature, visionary style this year after departing the Storm for St George Illawara.

Fullback Sam Tomkins reunites with his English brethren after a tumultuous year with the New Zealand Warriors. With movements likened to a baby giraffe learning to walk, Tomkins is nonetheless an exceptional talent, whose ball playing and running skills will be utilised by the English halves.

The Lions are also sporting a serious bench. 2014 Man of Steel winner Daryl Clark got the nod from McNamara, coming off the bench as a utility. Tom Burgess, Ryan Hill and Brett Ferres round out the squad.

Chances of winning
About as good as England’s chances looked during World War 2 before the Americans joined and Hitler started goose stepping into Russia, which is to say slim. Seriously though, you know they ended up winning that war?

OK the circumstances were slightly different, but if you went back in time and found some Londoner cowering in a bomb shelter as the Nazis continued the blitz, they would have more faith in England ending up victorious than the current English fans have in their team doing so.

So as Winston Churchill once proclaimed, “If you’re going through Hell, keep going.”

England Lions
1.Sam Tomkins (New Zealand Warriors)
2.Josh Charnley (Wigan Warriors)
3.Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
4.Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers)
5.Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
6.Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons)
7.Matty Smith (Wigan Warriors, Blackbrook)
8.George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
9.Josh Hodgson (Hull KR)
10.James Graham (captain) (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
11.Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors)
12.Joel Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
13.Joe Westerman (Hull FC)

14.Daryl Clark (Castleford Tigers)
15.Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants)
16.Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
17.Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves)

Toa Samoa
Samoa qualified for the Four Nations by defeating fierce rivals Fiji 32-16 in the Pacific Test in May.

They are playing to establish credibility for their nation on the global stage. Samoa amazed spectators by staging a fantastic fight back against New Zealand in their first match of the 2013 World Cup, followed it up with wins over Papua New Guinea and France, before losing to Fiji in the quarter finals 22-4.

They gained many fans during that campaign thanks to their passionate performances, and now have the opportunity to go up against the top three national teams.

An issue-free lead up to the tournament for coach Matt Parish suddenly came to a halt when a number of players were involved in an incident outside a Brisbane nightclub. Parish subsequently omitted Tautau Moga, Reni Maitua and Sauaso Sue from the squad for the first match.

Samoa is spruiking a quick and agile backline. Tim Simona, Antonio Winterstein and Ricky Leutele are speedsters, while Daniel Vidot and Joseph Leilua are built like forwards, and will take to England’s centres hammer and tongs.

Kyle Stanley and Ben Roberts are both capable of jaw dropping moments of brilliance, but like lightning in a bottle, it is a rare sight. The remainder of the time Kyle Stanley is injured and Ben Roberts is Ben Roberts.

Youngster Michael Sio will play his fifth Test for Toa Samoa as hooker, surrounded by a giant forward pack who are shaky at times in defence, but are as fearsome in their element as any of the other three teams.

Chances of winning
Samoa’s chances of coming away from the Four Nations as Champions are around as likely as Ray Warren managing to commentate a game without blatantly stuffing up the players’ names (I for one will be playing the ‘Rabsisms drinking game’).

Seriously though, watch the Four Nations. It’s not like you’ve got something better to do. We all know you don’t.

Toa Samoa
Coach: Matt Parish
1. Tim Simona (Wests Tigers)
2. Antonio Winterstein (North Queensland Cowboys)
3. Ricky Leutele (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
4. Joseph Leilua (Newcastle Knights)
5. Daniel Vidot (Brisbane Broncos)
6. Ben Roberts (Melbourne Storm)
7. Kyle Stanley (St. George Illawarra-Dragons)
8. Sam Tagataese (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
9. Michael Sio (New Zealand Warriors)
10. David Fa’alogo (Newcastle Knights
11. Frank Pritchard (Canturbery-Bankstown Bulldogs)
12. Leeson Ah Mau (Parramatta Eels)
13. Josh McGuire (Brisbane Bronos)

14. Pita Godinet (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats)
15. Jesse Sene-Lefao (Manly Sea Eagles)
16. Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters)
17. Mose Masoe (St Helens)

England versus Samoa 5:00pm (Live on Nine)
Australia versus New Zealand 7:30pm (Live Nine)

Stats attained from NRL.com and SuperLeague.co.uk.