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There are less than 100 days until the start of the Rugby League World Cup. We preview all the teams and what to expect. Can the Kiwis win back-to-back titles?
Group A – Australia, Fiji, Ireland, England
Australia
RLIF ranking: 1
Best result: Champions: 1957, 1968, 1970, 1977, 1988, 1992, 1995 and 2000.
Key players: Long-serving players Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis form Australia’s core, along with a strong forward pack.
This will probably be the last chance for their superstar axis of Slater, Thurston and Smith to win a World Cup, after missing out to New Zealand in 2008. Australia are current Four Nations champions and will start the tournament as red-hot favourites.
Can England or New Zealand knock them off? The Kangaroos’ opening match again England will be vital.
England
RLIF ranking: 3
Best result: Runners up 1975, 1995 (as England).
Key players: Sam Tomkins, Kevin Sinfield and the four Burgess brothers.
England is an enigma team: despite boasting excellent depth and a powerhouse forward park, they have often under-performed at international level and particularly in tournament play.
England reached the final of 2011’s Four Nations but had a poor 2008 World Cup despite reaching the semi-finals.
Their key trio of Sam Tomkins, Kevin Sinfield and newcomer Rangi Chase, complemented by hugely experienced forwards such as Sam Burgess, Adrian Morley, James Roby and James Graham make them a tough proposition, particularly on home soil.
They should be second favourites. England warmed up with wins against Wales and France in June.
Fiji
RLIF ranking: 7
Best result: Semi-final (2008).
Key players: Wes and Kevin Naiqama will play key roles at centre and fullback respectively. Melbourne Storm winger Sisa Waqa is likely to be selected as has played in Fiji under-19 and 21 level before moving to Australia, as is winger Marika Koroibete, who has lit up the NRL this year.
Fijian officials have confirmed Lote Tuquiri and Petero Civoniceva will join the squad if fit, plus Jarryd Hayne and Akuila Uate if not selected for Australia (both played for Fiji in the 2008 World Cup).
The Bati reached the semi-finals last tournament and will need to beat Ireland to progress to the quarters.
Group B – New Zealand, France, Papua New Guinea, Samoa
New Zealand
RLIF ranking: 2
Best result: Champions 2008, runners-up 1988 and 2000.
Key players: Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke, Sonny Bill Williams.
Coach Stephen Kearney has the luxury of selecting probably the most talented Kiwis squad in history, but New Zealand will need to reverse a poor record in England.
The Kiwis have depth in the key positions of fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker, with Josh Hoffman, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson and Isaac Luke forming a talented spine, even with Benji Marshall’s availability in doubt.
The Kiwis’ forward pack is traditionally their strength with Ben Matulino, Jeremy Smith and Frank Pritchard adding class and toughness. Sonny Bill Williams would be a massive boost too.
The Kiwis’ match against France in Avignon will be key.
France
RLIF ranking: 5
Best result: Runners-up 1954 and 1968.
Key players: Thomas Bosc, Jamal Fakir, Sebastian Raguin.
France’s last period of dominance was from 1950 to 1970 – they made World Cup finals in 1954 and 1968 – yet have struggled since this golden period.
The Tricolours had a disappointing 2008 World Cup but had a better Four Nations in 2009. Kiwi fans will remember France giving New Zealand a mighty fright in Paris in 2007 before losing 14-22, and their home crowd truly gives them an extra 20%.
France defeated Wales 20-6 but lost to England heavily in the June Test series this year.
Les Catalans are in fifth spot in the Super League and reached the semi-finals in 2012, which will give them confidence too.
Papua New Guinea
RLIF ranking: 4
Best result: Quarter finalists 2000.
Key players: Paul Aiton, James Segeyaro and young fullback Ryan Tongia, who played well in the 2010 Four Nations.
Papua New Guinea play tough and uncompromising football, but are let down by a lack of professional experience and will pick a team mostly from their local competition.
They pushed England hard in 2008’s World Cup and qualified for the 2010 Four Nations, defeating Tonga, Cook Islands and Fiji. The Kumuls’ best Four Nations result was a 10-36 defeat to England.
Strong annual performances against an Australian Prime Minister team continue to strengthen their belief.
Samoa
RLIF: 8
Best result: Quarter-finalists 1995, 2000.
Key players: Junior Sa’u, Roy Asotasi, Carlos Tuimavave, Tony Puletua, Matt Utai and Kylie Leuluai will give the side an experienced edge.
Samoa had a poor 2008 tournament, but are packed with experienced Test, Super League and NRL players.
There are question marks over whether they can gel in time as their player pool is likely to be half NRL, half Super League players – if so, they should trouble France and Papua New Guinea.
Samoa suffered a setback though with their big loss against Tonga in April.
Group C – Scotland, Italy, USA and Tonga
Scotland
RLIF ranking: 10
Best result: Group stages 2000 and 2008.
Key players: Ian Henderson is an experienced Test hooker and has played more than 160 matches in the NRL and Super League. John Duffy, a long-serving halfback, made his professional and international debut in 1997 at the age of 16.
Scotland qualified by making the final of the 2009 European Cup that included Ireland, Wales, Serbia, Italy and Lebanon.
They fielded a team at the 2008 tournament with only one player born in Scotland but should be able to showcase more local talent given their domestic game continues to develop.
Coach Steve McCormack has been in the head role since 2003 and has previous experience as head coach of Widnes.
Italy
RLIF ranking: 13
Best result: 2013 debut.
Key players: Anthony Minichello will captain the team. North Queensland Cowboy second-rower Josh Riethmuller and dual international Craig Gower were also named in their 2013 World Cup squad. Expect to see a host of players from Italy’s 2012 club champions XIII del Ducato, including winger Dean Vicelich and prop Fabrizio Ciarro.
Italy qualified for the 2013 World Cup by topping the European Cup, including wins against Russia and Serbia.
Their matches between USA and Scotland should be very interesting to watch and will play a historic first Test against England before the tournament starts.
Tonga
RLIF ranking: 9
Best result: Group stages 1995, 2000 and 2008.
Key players: Brent Kite, Etu Uaisele and Mahe Fonua.
Tonga smashed Samoa 36-4 in April and will be favourites to top their pool.
With experienced players like Brent Kite, Sika Manu and Anthony Tupou in their forward pack, plus an exciting back-line featuring Glen Fisiiahi and Mahe Fonua, they should reach at least the quarterfinals.
Tonga has a poor record in World Cups with the group stage their best finish in three tournaments, but should be better with a more experienced squad this time.
Group D – Wales, Cook Islands, USA
Wales
RLIF ranking: 6
Best result: Semi-finals in 1995 and 2000.
Key players: Skipper Jordan James, a tough prop forward, was Wales player of the year in 2009 and is a former Royal Marine, with 15 caps in a nine year international career. Gil Dudson is another experienced prop, with four years in the Test team, and watch out for winger Elliot Kear who scored a hat trick against Scotland in 2010, and has seven tries in seven Tests.
Wales have a rich history of producing rugby league talent, including three players in the Rugby League Hall of Fame.
They played with good structure in the 2011 Four Nations and should be good enough to get a win in their pool.
Cook Islands
RLIF ranking: 15th
Best result: Group stage 2000.
Key players: Karl Temata, who has 12 years international experience, having played in the 2000 World Cup. Also watch for Tinirau Arona of the Sydney Roosters, who in 2011 was named Cook Islands’ player of the year.
The Cook Islands qualified by reaching the final of the 2009 Pacific Cup and defeated Samoa and Fiji, lost to Papua New Guinea in the final.
They have a seven-club local competition and will field some big, exciting youngsters, plus will play a warm-up Test against the Kiwis before the World Cup starts.
USA
RLIF ranking: 11
Best result: 2013 debut.
Key players: Ryan McGoldrick, Apple Pope and Curtis Cunz are versatile players who will give their side a professional edge.
The Tomahawks had their first Test in 1954 against Canada and since 1997 have been playing regular fixtures.
They qualified to play the World Cup by defeating Jamaica and South Africa in the 2011 Atlantic Region Qualifying tournament.
USA has succeeded in creating a strong domestic competition and Matthew Elliott is their coach.
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