We are just days away from kick-off of the 15th edition of the Rugby League World Cup.
The 2017 tournament follows on from the most successful staging of the event four years ago in the UK. Hosted across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, the next five weeks ensures to bring out the best the greatest game of all has to offer.
I’ll preview each of the 14 teams in the lead up to Friday’s opener, and there’s nowhere better to start than with one of the co-hosts, the reigning champions who don the iconic green and gold chevron – Australia.
Australia Kangaroos
- RLIF world ranking: 1
- Best result: Champions (1957, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2013)
- 2013 finish: Champions
- 2017 RLWC odds: $1.20
The Kangaroos are the icons of the sport and undisputedly the most successful team in World Cup history, having won ten of the 14 tournaments that have contested. Australia has been so dominant at World Cups that the only time they haven’t reached the final was in the first instalment back in 1954.
On the last occasion the RLWC was held down under we witnessed Australia lose a 33-year stranglehold of the trophy when the Kiwis produced one of the greatest upsets of all time during the 2008 final at Suncorp Stadium, which is the venue of this year’s final as well.
In 2013 arguably one of the greatest Kangaroos squad of all time went through the World Cup undefeated and didn’t look close to being troubled after the opening ceremony, where the English put on a fight – in fact that game against England was the only match where the Australians conceded a try. As the tournament went on, the Kangaroos got better and produced what I consider to be the best 80-minute rugby league performance you will ever see in the final at Old Trafford, where they blitzed New Zealand 32-2.
In what can only be described as an up and down four years since 2013, Australia went on to lose the world number one ranking to New Zealand after three straight losses to the Kiwis. This led to a change in coach that saw the appointment of the great Mal Meninga, who took on the task of restoring pride back into the green and gold jersey and reclaiming back Australia’s place back at the top of the mountain.
Under Mal’s watch the Kangaroos have not tasted defeat and they will go into this tournament as strong a favourite as local racehorse Winx. There won’t be any room for complacency, and although the side isn’t world class from one to 17 like the 2013 team was, it is still an incredibly strong line-up formed around the legendary ‘big three’ of the Melbourne Storm, the NRL’s newly crowned premiers.
(Image: NRL Photos/Grant Trouville)
Likely team line-up
1. Billy Slater
2. Valentine Holmes
3. Will Chambers
4. Cameron Munster
5. Dane Gagai
6. Michael Morgan
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Aaron Woods
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. David Klemmer
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Matt Gillett
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. James Maloney
15. Jordan Mclean
16. Tyson Frizell
17. Wade Graham
Squad Members: Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Josh Dugan, Ben Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, Josh Mansour, Josh McGuire, Tom Trbojevic.
Key player
The most influential player in the game today and potentially of all time is the captain of the Roos, Cameron Smith. Without doubt the skipper will be the man to dictate Australia’s hopes of victory during this tournament.
Smith is the sole specialist hooker in the squad, and as the leader he needs to ensure no complacency sets into the team mentality. The backline is world class; however, the Kangaroos forward pack isn’t the strongest within the tournament – in fact there are probably a few teams with a better overall group of big men – so Smith’s ability to control the ruck and get the forwards on a roll will be a major factor in games.
Fixtures and opponents
England at AAMI Park, Melbourne – Friday, 27 October, at 8pm AEDT
France at Canberra Stadium, Canberra – Friday, 3 November, at 8pm AEDT
Lebanon at Allianz Stadium, Sydney – Saturday, 11 November, at 8pm AEDT
(Image: NRL)
Key match
It seems to have become tradition that the World Cup kicks off with a clash against the old enemy. Australia will host England after the opening ceremony in Melbourne this Friday night to get proceedings away. Top spot for Group A is on the line during this match; however, it will also be a litmus test for both teams to see where they are currently at and how they fare against each other, as Wayne Bennett’s men appear to be the strongest challenger to the Kangaroos crown.
RLWC 2017 prospects
Australia are the best team in the world and will start the tournament on home soil as heavy favourites. The last time the tournament was held here in 2008 the same expectations were placed on the Kangaroos side, but they crumbled at the final hurdle during the Kiwi ambush in Brisbane.
It’s not the strongest Australian side ever assembled and this tournament will be competitive enough to ensure it’s not just a case of the Aussies showing up and walking away with glory. I do expect Australia to be one of the two remaining teams left at Suncorp Stadium on 2 December.
Andrew
Guest
I just did Justin! They just sold there 17,000th ticket to Fridays International Blockbuster that the whole world will stop for. Half full stadium will be another good look
Renegade
Roar Guru
Raugee, My team was pretty much spot on apart from Dugan held his spot over Munster in the centres and Mal opted against a utility so no Maloney. Trbo starting at 13... McGuire on the bench with Graham. I'm not a huge fan of Woods either but there's no other choice in that squad.
Renegade
Roar Guru
You were right on Dugan... both Maloney and Munster have missed out though... no utility on the bench which is something I wasn't expecting. McGuire and Graham both on the bench.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hey Riley, My reference to a stranglehold was more on the World Cup itself.... I certainly don't think this world cup will be as easy a cakewalk for Australia as perceived however I do expect them to be in the final at the very least.
Justin Kearney
Guest
You tell em Andrew!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hey Tripehound, Friday's game will give us a good indication of where both teams are at and how this tournament will pan out. Bennett has said he just wants England to be competitive in this game and I think they will be. Kangaroos backline can't be compared too however I don't think its just the English that have a better forward pack than Aus.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hey Jimmmy, Me too, each RLWC seems to be better than the last... hoping for the trend to continue. Enjoy the game on Friday night, should be a great event to witness and even better weekend if you can fit Moonee Valley in!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hey FQ, Can't wait for the tournament to begin, love the world cup and excitement levels are starting to build!
matth
Guest
I agree wholeheartedly. Except, I think we are too thin on the ground to leave out Woods, but it hurts to leave him in.
Raugeee
Guest
Hang on - NSW lost the SOO this year right? They get 4 of the 6 starting forwards as a reward? Klemmer & Cordner that's ok, two great players - but Woods? What a joke. How on earth can Jake Trbojevic start at 13 and Josh McGuire doesn't even make the 17? Tyson Frizell on the bench - fine, brilliant but - Wade Graham AND James Maloney on the bench? Two of the biggest penalty machines in the NRL & SOO. Unless there is some desire to even things up for England I can't see that team being the first choice - by a very long way. McGuire to 13 - J Trbo ( Wade Graham OUT) to 17, Dugan to 4, Munster to 14 (Maloney OUT) - Not many seasoned props in the squad but anything to be rid of Woods so Regan Campbell-Gillard to 8 (Woods OUT - for good hopefully)
matth
Guest
Fair call Riley. Renegade, I think Josh Dugan will find his way into the centres, with Munster the bench utility instead of Maloney. He will add a lot of thrust off the bench. I also think Josh Maguire will either start at lock or be on the bench as well, maybe at Graham's expense. Really looking forward to the tournament and most of the teams look at least reasonably solid. There has been a lot of Hype about Tonga, but discount Fiji and PNG at your peril.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
I don't think Australia hold as big of a stranglehold on the World Cup as many may think. I'd argue this is probably their weakest side since the 2014 Four Nations. They are missing some big name players: Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Matthew Scott and of course Johnathan Thurston. That should not be underestimated. Michael Morgan though is a capable replacement for Thurston but they don't have the dominance in the backline and forward pack they have had in recent years. Slater's form has been brilliant and will be a huge boost but outside of Josh Mansour, there are no specialty wingers in the squad. They have 5 fullbacks, 2 centres and 1 winger. They will need to be careful against England who boast both Ryan Hall (one of the best wingers in the world) and Jermaine McGillvary. Their forward pack is lacking. They have four debutants (McLean, Graham, Kaufusi, RCG), yes they're all in good form but they won't be able to match it with the experience of some of the other nations. That's nowhere near as good as the Kangaroos pack has been in recent years. No Parker, Scott, Gallen or Thaiday anymore. The tournament opener is going to be very interesting, after England's performance against CAS I can see them coming close to winning. While Australia are favourites, I don't want to say that they'll win it just yet.
clipper
Guest
Germany are actually 23rd. Their greatest achievement was winning the silver at the 1900 Olympics. It's a Soccer mad country and Rugby is very much a niche sport there, although they are now play in the European championship, the next tier down. Most of the top 11 nations have beaten the top 3 Rugby nations in the last 20-40 years. None of the league nations outside the top 3 have beaten the top 3 in the last 30 years, England hasn't beaten Australia in the last 10 years - that's the big difference.
James P
Guest
In the last 8 Rugby League world cups (since 1975) Australia has won 7 and NZ 1. In the 8 Rugby Union world cups (there have only been 8), Australia has won 2, England 1, NZ 3 and South Africa 2. It would be a huge surprise to see Australia lose the league world cup. In the last league world cup Australia won the QF 62-0, SF 64-0 and the Final 32-2. This doesn't mean that the Rugby League World Cup can't be a fantastic and worthwhile event in the last Rugby Union world cup, the memorable game was Japan beating South Africa.
Tripehound
Guest
It's hard to see past anything other than Australia winning the tournament, I really hope England put in a very strong performance this Friday and fingers crossed we can get one over the green and gold. As you say Rene the Aussie back line is all class but the pack is potentially where any perceived weakness may be (although there's some pretty decent forwards there for me). The opposite can be said of England with the backs looking where they may struggle if 1 - 7 aren't on their 'A' game but the pack should cut the mustard.
Jimmmy
Guest
Hey Rene, really looking forward to the RLWC. I am off to Melbourne on Friday to see the opening game at what I consider to be the best boutique Stadium in the world for watching the game . I might just wander down to Moonie Valley on Saturday to see another great sporting event staring someone even better than Billy Slater.. You can say whatever you like about Melbourne but it does sport better than anyone else. I hope the Poms are competitive and while the Aussies deserve their Winx like price , in a one off match they can be beaten.
Andrew
Guest
Farqueue most of these countries are made up of Aussies and kiwis and people in the respective countries know what Rah Rah is. I wouldn't EVER be comparing this to big imternational sports
Farqueue
Guest
Really looking forward to this. Ok it's not the rugby world cup where over 100 countries compete for the chance to participate. Just looked at rugby ratings. Germany is ranked 25th in the world. I'm not kidding. I'm 50 years old, a sports fanatic, I've never seen Germany play union. So hopefully all the Union fans will read that before putting down the league world cup. 4 different countries have won union world cup. 3 different countries have won league world cup. I think the games will be great. Tonga will be awesome. Samoa.....strong team. Many games unpredictable.