Tier-one nations Australia and England will be competing for the top of Group A at the Rugby League World Cup, with the traditional rivals fielding star-studded sides.
The likes of Cameron Smith, Sam Burgess, Michael Morgan and Luke Gale will descend upon the tournament opener between the two sides, in a match-up many are predicting as a grand final preview.
With Australia and England taking most of the spotlight, France and Lebanon will battle it out for a spot in the knockout stages. France have an inexperienced squad led out by St Helens half Théo Fages, while Lebanon will return to the World Cup for the first time since 2000 bolstered by NRL stars.
Australia
RLIF ranking: 1st
Captain: Cameron Smith
Coach: Mal Meninga
World Cup appearances (since 1995): 4 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013)
Best World Cup finish: Champions (1995, 2000, 2013)
World champions Australia will be out to defend the Paul Barriere Trophy on home soil with coach Mal Meninga naming a team which boasts both experience and youth.
Cameron Smith will return as captain with backrower Boyd Cordner to take on the vice-captaincy. The World Cup will mark the return of Billy Slater to the green and gold after a long journey back from injury – and he is coming off winning the Clive Churchill medal.
Meninga has opted for seven debutants in the green and gold headlined by Storm trio Felise Kaufusi, Jordan McLean and Cameron Munster. Dane Gagai and Wade Graham will be handed their first Test caps after some outstanding performances in State of Origin while the efforts of Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tom Trbojevic in the PM’s XIII have earned them selection.
Australia go into the tournament ranked number one in the world. Three crowns in the last four tournaments has them touted as favourites, though they will face a stern test from England.
The star: Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)
Cowboys five-eighth Morgan has stepped out of the shadows of teammate Johnathan Thurston to make a name for himself throughout the 2017 season.
Morgan helped deliver the Cowboys a finals fairytale, leading his side into the grand final showing great composure, creativity and experience. With Thurston still injured, the apprentice is set to pull on the No.6 jumper to partner Cooper Cronk.
(AAP Image/ Action Photoraphics, Robb Cox)
You don’t know me: Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm)
A shock inclusion, Kaufusi was a revelation for the Storm in their premiership-winning season.
Kaufusi’s selection tops off a breakout season having played all 27 games for his club, becoming a try-scoring and tackling machine. He is one of seven Storm players to feature in the Kangaroos side and will be hoping to make his name with some strong performances in the green and gold.
Prediction: champions
Australia will finish first in the group stage and go on to qualify for the World Cup final. They will come up against a rejuvenated England line-up in a thriller, getting past the wall of white to defend their title.
The squad: Reagan Campbell-Gillard, William Chambers, Boyd Cordner, Cooper Cronk, Josh Dugan, Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai, Matt Gillett, Wade Graham, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Josh Mansour, Josh McGuire, Jordan McLean, Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Aaron Woods
Best XVII: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. William Chambers, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. David Klemmer, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Boyd Cordner, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Cameron Munster, 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 16. Josh McGuire, 17. Tyson Frizell
England
RLIF ranking: 3rd
Captain: Sean O’Loughlin
Coach: Wayne Bennett
World Cup appearances (since 1995): 4 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013)
Best World Cup finish: Runners-up (1995)
Wayne Bennett will be out to see England return to their best. fielding a well-rounded 24-man squad. After falling short of the final in 2017, Bennett will be hoping England can challenge for the Paul Barriere Trophy at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane since defeating world No.5 Samoa in May.
England will benefit from an experienced playing group with only two debutants in their side – Alex Walmsley, 18th man for the Samoa Test earlier in the year, and Ben Currie.
James Graham leads the charge with 33 caps under his belt, all-time leading try-scorer Ryan Hall is close behind with 32 Tests to his name, averaging one every game. Together the squad share 255 Tests, second only to New Zealand’s 281.
Bennett has named seven NRL players, all of whom will be familiar with Australia and New Zealand. Among them is Graham, Souths skipper Sam Burgess and brother Thomas, Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson, and Dally M five-eighth of the year Gareth Widdop.
Widdop is expected to lead the team around the park, partnered in the halves by Man of Steel winner Luke Gale. The Castleford scrum-half was named in the Super League Dream Team with Mark Percival, Mike McMeeken and England captain Sean O’Loughlin also appearing.
England will face a tough test first up in Australia but will be one of the hot favourites to be crowned world champions come December.
(AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay)
The star: Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers)
Gale has been a stand out for Castleford in 2017, helping the West Yorkshire club to end a 91-year drought in winning their League Leaders Shield and also steering them to a grand final.
Gale cemented himself as one of the best halfbacks in the world, leading the Super League for points scored with 317 to his name including 13 tries. In addition, Gale served up 20 try-assists, fifth behind the likes of George Williams and Danny Brough, also exerting his talent of the boot with ten 40-20 kicks.
Now a leading contender for the Golden Boot, Gale’s goal-kicking, direction in the halves and astute kicking in general play will help to give England a much needed spark.
You don’t know me: Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
A former Ireland international who plied his trade for the Wolfhounds in 2013, 23-year-old Currie plays back row for Warrington and is in line to make his England debut.
Following a stellar 2015 season, Currie was selected in Steve McNamara’s England squad for the Baskerville Shield, however he was not gifted a Test cap. Although Warrington struggled in 2017 – finishing in the bottom four and having to endure the qualifiers – Currie was an important member of the side providing plenty of metres.
Currie will likely be used as a back-up forward and could get game time against countries such as France and Lebanon where he will be given the opportunity to push his way into the first team.
Prediction: runners-up
England will finish second in the group stage after an early loss to Australia but come back to blitz through the remainder of their pool games, storming through to the final. Once there, however, they will come out empty-handed against Australia.
The squad: John Bateman, Kevin Brown, Sam Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Ben Currie, Luke Gale, James Graham, Ryan Hall, Chris Heighington, Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Jonny Lomax, Jermaine McGillvary, Mike McMeeken, Sean O’Loughlin, Mark Percival, Stefan Ratchford, James Roby, Scott Taylor, Alex Walmsley, Kallum Watkins, Elliott Whitehead, Gareth Widdop, George Williams
Best XVII: 1. Stefan Ratchford, 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Luke Gale, 8. Sam Burgess, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. James Graham, 11. Mike McMeeken, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Sean O’Loughlin
Interchange: 14. George Williams, 15. Chris Hill, 16. Chris Heighington, 17. Thomas Burgess
France
RLIF ranking: 6
Captain: Theo Fages
Coach: Aurélien Cologni
World Cup appearances (since 1995): 4 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013)
Best World Cup finish: Quarter-finals (2000, 2013)
Aurélien Cologni will field a vastly inexperienced side for his first World Cup as coach with 10 debutants among his 24-man squad.
Their most capped player, Jason Baitieri with 14 Tests, will be a leader of the pack. Despite inexperience, France’s chemistry through connections at Catalans and Toulouse will prove to be beneficial.
France will turn to Théo Fages to set the tournament on fire and guide the way, while the likes of Baitieri, Benjamin Garcia and Toulouse pair Clément Boyer and Maxime Hérold will lead the way up front.
The tricolours must get their engine room working in the middle of the park if they are to be a chance as they will be coming up against packs with heavy NRL and Super League experience.
The biggest Test for France will be getting themselves into good attacking range for Fages to create some scintillating plays. However, if they can get their pack moving forward they could cause a couple of upsets in their run to the quarter-finals.
The star: Théo Fages (St Helens)
Since joining St Helens from Salford in 2016, Fages has settled into Langtree Park and become a crucial cog in the team.
Fages has had a strong year for the Red V in 2017 with eight tries and 14 try assists in St Helens’ playoff season. Fages will return to the tricolours to skipper his side, taking centre stage in the halves as he looks to guide his nation into the quarter-finals.
The son of French legend Pascal Fages, he will help lead the French around the park utilising his explosive running game and accurate passing to create scoring opportunities. Compared with other players he is a relative unknown to rugby league fans Down Under and if he can find a good patch of form, Fages may turn out to be one of the surprise packets for the tournament.
You don’t know me: Guillaume Bonnet (FC Lézignan)
A half or hooker, Guillaume Bonnet could make his debut for France after a good year with FC Lézignan in the Elite One Championship.
One of two players from the Sangliers alongside Damien Cardace, Bonnet has a good working relationship with head coach Aurélien Cologni, who also takes charge with Lézignan.
Bonnet does sit well down the pecking order in terms of options in the halves or at dummy-half but is likely to make his debut against Jamaica and hopefully compete for a spot off the bench as a utility.
Prediction: fourth
France will finish fourth in the group stage after going down to Lebanon in a hard-fought battle in Canberra.
The squad: Bastien Ader, Lucas Albert, Olivier Arnaud, Jason Baitieri, William Barthau, Lambert Belmas, Guillaume Bonnet, John Boudebza, Julian Bousquet, Clément Boyer, Damien Cardace, Nabil Djalout, Théo Fages, Benjamin Garcia, Maxime Hérold, Benjamin Jullien, Mark Kheirallah, Thibaut Margalet, Antoni Maria, Hakim Miloudi, Romain Navarrete, Éloi Pélissier, Mickaël Rouch, Fouad Yaha
Best XVII: 1. Mark Kheirallah, 2. Hakim Miloudi, 3. Bastien Ader, 4. Damien Cardace, 5. Fouad Yaha, 6. Lucas Albert, 7. Théo Fages, 8. Clément Boyer, 9. Éloi Pélissier, 10. Romain Navarrete, 11. Benjamin Jullien, 12. Benjamin Garcia, 13. Jason Baitieri
Interchange: 14. Julian Bousquet, 15. Maxime Hérold, 16. Thibaut Margalet, 17. William Barthau
Lebanon
RLIF ranking: 21
Captain: Robbie Farah
Coach: Brad Fittler
World Cup appearances (since 1995): 1 (2000)
Best World Cup finish: Group stage (2000)
Lebanon will make their long-awaited return to the Rugby League World Cup after 17 years away from the competition. Coach Brad Fittler has named a very talented squad including five NRL players.
Robbie Farah will skipper the Cedars with Mitchell Moses serving as his apprentice. First-grade talent Michael Lichaa, Tim Mannah and Alex Twal will also form the core of the squad.
They are joined by New South Wales Waratahs star Reece Robinson, who makes his return to rugby league alongside brother Travis, while Anthony Layoun and Bilal Maarbani will compete after playing in the NYC grand final for the Eels and Sea Eagles respectively.
Also in Fittler’s team are fringe first-graders Abbas Miski and Adam Doueihi while Beirut local Raymond Sabat has been selected from the Lebanese domestic competition.
Lebanon will have a massive challenge ahead of them with France first up in a game which will likely decide whether they go through to the finals or head home early. They then face Australia and England in Sydney. Should they finish third in the group stage they could come up against each of the top three in successive weeks provided the Kiwis top Group B.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The star: Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
One of the most talented young halves in the NRL, Moses will be Lebanon’s key playmaker. After joining the Parramatta Eels midway through the year, Moses has fast become one of the top five-eighths in the league after steering the blue and gold into the finals.
Moses is now in the frame to make his State of Origin debut next year and after proving his skills in the NRL, will team up with fellow first-graders including Farah, Lichaa and Mannah as the Cedars set their sights on the finals.
You don’t know me: Raymond Sabat (Lycans FC)
One of the standout domestic Lebanese players, Sabat is the only player selected in Brad Fittler’s squad currently playing in Lebanon.
Sabat, who hails from Beirut-based club Lycans FC, is a versatile outside back with his preferred position fullback. However, he is able to slot into the centres or on the wing.
The youngster impressed in the Cedars’ 6-4 win over Italy in Beirut earlier in the year, displaying great skill with the ball and speed at the back. Sabat may find himself in the centres should he impress against Niue.
Prediction: quarter-finals
Lebanon’s star power will help them past France but despite this they will fail to win their remaining pool games against world No.3 England and No.1 Australia, finishing third to go down to world No.2 New Zealand in the quarter-finals.
The squad: Danny Barakat, Jamie Clark, Adam Doueihi, James Elias, Ahmad Ellaz, Robbie Farah, Nick Kassis, Andrew Kazzi, Anthony Layoun, Michael Lichaa, Mitchell Mammary, Bilal Maarbani, Abbas Miski, Tim Mannah, Mitchell Moses, Ray Moujalli, Reece Robinson, Travis Robinson, Chris Saab, Raymond Sabat, Jaleel Seve-Derbas, Elias Sukkar, Alex Twal, Jason Wehbe
Best XVII: 1. Anthony Layoun, 2. Reece Robinson, 3. Abbas Miski, 4. Raymond Sabat, 5. Bilal Maarbani, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Adam Doueihi, 8. Alex Twal, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Tim Mannah, 11. Nick Kassis, 12. Chris Saab, 13. Ray Moujalli
Interchange: 14. Michael Lichaa, 15. Andrew Kazzi, 16. Elias Sukkar, 17. Jaleel Seve-Derbas
Group A Draw:
Australia versus England at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne (27 October)
France versus Lebanon at Canberra Stadium, Canberra (29 October)
Australia versus France at Canberra Stadium, Canberra (3 November)
England versus Lebanon at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney (4 November)
Australia versus Lebanon at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney (11 November)
England versus France at Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth (12 November)
Game to watch: Australia versus England (27 October)
The Rugby League World Cup kicks off in Melbourne with a battle between traditional rivals Australia and England. Both nations are among the favourites to reach the final stages with the match having huge bearing.
Australia and England both have strong line-ups with the focus on the battle between the halves. England playmaker Luke Gale, who played an integral role for the Castleford Tigers in 2017, will come up against Michael Morgan, who was the star of the NRL finals series.
The winner of the opening game will likely top Group A, putting them in good stead for the quarter-finals against the third-placed Group B team in Darwin.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
"France will give them a real run for the money, probably around an 18 point buffer though" Have to disagree with you there. Australia will cream France. Fages is France's best player. I haven't seen enough of him to really know, but my gut feel on the Super League is that unless you're challenging for the Man of Steel award, you're probably not walking into any first grade NRL team (except perhaps the Knights). So France have one player who is at best, up to NRL standard. The rest of the France team would be fringe first graders at best (most would be dead set reserve graders - i reckon some would struggle to get first team action in the NSW or QLD cups to be honest). There are a lot of local French players (not Catalans, i mean local French league) and that's good to see, but you have to understand how much lower that league is than NRL. Australia, in contrast, are the absolute best of the best. So I'm sorry for being negative, but France are no chance against Australia, and an 18 point margin would surprise me greatly.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The only team in Group A that can beat Australia is England. Lebanon and France aren't up to it yet. I think England have the maturity to match Australia's but I think Australia have more players with the supposed X-factor. I'm a huge fan of Ryan Hall and Kallum Watkins and while Hall has proven himself, Watkins hasn't really been consistent at the international level. But geez, if he is on, he is most definitely an X-factor player.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
yawn
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Good night.
Tripehound
Guest
Regarding England I think Riley is correct about Luke Gale's match fitness, I wouldn't be surprised if George Williams doesn't get a run in the stand off jersey. I also anticipate a left field selection at left centre, although only starting 4 games for Warrington after missing the bulk of the season through injury I have a sneaking suspicion that Ben Currie may start with number 4 on his back. Look out for Alex Walmsley when he gets a chance, makes big meters with some forceful carries in super league, it'll be interesting to see how he goes if he plays against some of the better defences in the tournament. I'll be keeping tabs on Julian Bouquet for France, I like the cut of his jib.
Andrew
Guest
Aussies and Kiwis playing for countries they couldn't locate on a map.. yep a farce
vincent b
Guest
Was he though?
terry tavita
Roar Rookie
he was joking..lighten up mate..
vincent b
Guest
NZ plays Tonga in the last pool b match on nov 11 at Waikato stadium. Should be a bit of a niggly game, John Hopoate is already talking about smashing Adam Blair. Can trainers get red carded for getting into fights? Tonga have a strong team on paper, but their discipline could be their achilles heel yet again.
blagblah
Guest
Tonga hahahaha clueless
republican
Guest
....both NZ & England can & probably will defeat Australia. England to defeat us in the pool match while NZ to defeat us in an inevitable semis clash. It will be a NZ v England final me thinks............
Brainstrust
Guest
England will put everything into the group match with Australia, get close then get beaten easily if they meet again. Australia will win easily, the only point of interest will be if Tonga meets NZ. Fifita I think he is going to treat it like a holiday.
Peter Phelps
Guest
Tonga won't get there. I think that England will win the opener (and I will be there to see it) but lose against Australia in the final.
Peter Phelps
Guest
Farce ???? What farce ?, you mean as big a farce as having your national competition butchered by holding 3 game competition in the middle of the season ? That kind of farce ? Nay there is nothing as close to that big a farce in the World Cup. Very refreshing.
Troy
Guest
Honestly I see it as a 3 horse race. Australia, England and Tonga. I don't see England or Tonga beating Australia though. England always seems to send out sides that we are told are the best England has produced filled with players who we are told are rolled in gold great. Kieran Cunningham was everything Danny Buderus could never be, rob burrow, Danny McGuire, Kevin sinfield were all the English Brad Fittler or Andrew johns. Kallum Watkins and Ryan hall were the answer to Israel Folau and Greg Inglis. Sam Tompkins, Greg Eden and hardaker were the English billy slater. None of them have ever looked close to the billing they received. Kallum Watkins and Ryan hall are the only 2 of that lot that have ever looked like they could cut it in the nrl. The likes of James graham, Sam burgess Adrian Morley and Gareth Ellis all world class forwards. But only 2 of em are playing. And those world class forwards always held there own while watching the English billy slater or English Brad Fittler whither and die under the pressure of playing billy slater or Brad Fittler. So I expect England to do what England does beat the also rans and choke against quality opponents. Tonga have in my opinion the second best squad. It's big powerful mobile and talented forward are complemented nicely by its big powerful fast and talented outside backs. But it's halves while undoubtedly talented have never shown the type of gamesmanship and game management required to beat a team featuring smith and Cronk. Sure a halves combo of Munster and Morgan would be the talent equivalent to what Tonga will produce, moments of brilliance mixed with a lot of doing something to be doing something. But Cronk will be there and everything he does has purpose, he's running a play hoping it will work in the 5th minute but also using it set up a result in the 75th minute. Tonga and Australia for the final with Australia winning comfortably.
Andrew
Guest
What an absolute farce of a Tournament. Waje me up when the NRL starts again
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
I agree with you on England, I wouldn't be surprised if they take it out. My only concern is regarding the match fitness of Luke Gale. The Kiwis have been severely weakened, they'll be lucky to make it to the semi-finals. Tonga will be strong, I'd argue that any team really could challenge Australia (except maybe the United States, no disrespect but they don't have the player pool the other nations do).
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
I'd suggest Australia won't be giving out too many 30+ point margins. England will be close, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if they lose. France will give them a real run for the money, probably around an 18 point buffer though. Lebanon have the necessary experience to seriously challenge them in what will likely be another close match. The Kangaroos aren't invincible. The players in the Lebanese team, while they may have been born in or play in Australia, are Lebanese. Ray Sabat is a serious talent at the back, Mitchell Moses is one of the most promising young five-eighths in the NRL, Alex Twal is a future star. Some people have dual nationalities, I think if you want to maintain the integrity of the World Cup and avoid 30+ margins then allowing players to represent their country of heritage is a good idea.
bearfax
Guest
Australia will easily pass through he first stage, but England could give them a run for their money. I dont think NZ will be as strong as they've been, but look out for Tonga, a team that could be the surprise packet of the series.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Yes, the Kangaroos can be beaten. I would suggest that if anyone beats Australia, it will be England. In saying that though they have a really strong squad, my biggest concern regarding the Poms is the match fitness of Luke Gale. New Zealand have been severely weakened and David Kidwell hasn't really shown much since picking up the clipboard. Tonga, while fielding a star side, don't have the systems in place to beat a heavyweight nation to the World Cup but I think them winning the Paul Barriere Trophy remains a possibility. Their lack of experience in the halves won't help them though. Likewise PNG have a good group who have played with each other before, the Boas brothers will be a huge asset but as we saw in the State Championship there is still a huge gap between Australian and PNG rugby league. Previews for the remaining groups will be posted over the coming days.