A Guide to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup

With the tournament opener now less than a week away, preparations are well and truly underway and excitement levels are beginning to peak for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England 12 months after its original scheduling.

With NRL and Super League seasons having now come and gone, our focus can shift to international rugby league’s showpiece event with 16 men’s teams, eight women’s teams, and eight wheelchair teams descending upon the UK for a shot at success.

The men will be competing in the 16th Rugby League World Cup and sixth of the modern era. Australia have won it a record 11 times with Great Britain and New Zealand also claiming world titles.

Here is your guide to the 2021 Men’s Rugby League World Cup:

Teams

Pool Stage

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Schedule

Squads

Each nation has now named their World Cup squad with players from a number of leagues represented including the NRL, Super League, Championship, League One, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup, Elite One, Elite Two and LRL among others.

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Australia

• Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Matt Burton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)
• Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
• Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
• Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
• Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
• Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)
• Campbell Graham (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
• Valentine Holmes (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Ben Hunt (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
• Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
• Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
• Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys)
• James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
• Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)
• Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)

Cook Islands

• Tevin Arona (Richmond Bulldogs)
• Tinirau Arona (Wakefield Trinity)
• Geoffrey Daniela (St. Mary’s Saints)
• Johnathon Ford (Featherstone Rovers)
• Anthony Gelling (unaffiliated)
• Kayal Iro (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
• Makahesi Makatoa (Parramatta Eels)
• Esan Marsters-Siavale (Huddersfield Giants)
• Steven Marsters (Thirroul Butchers)
• Davvy Moale (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Tepai Moeroa (Melbourne Storm)
• Dylan Napa (Catalans Dragons)
• Ruatapu Ngatikaura (Wests Tigers)
• Moses Noovao-McGreal (Norths Devils)
• Pride Pettersen-Robati (New Zealand Warriors)
• Dominique Peyroux (Toulouse Olympique)
• Brendan Piakura (Brisbane Broncos)
• Reuben Porter (Tweed Heads Seagulls)
• Vincent Rennie (Newtown Jets)
• Reubenn Rennie (Newtown Jets)
• Brad Takairangi (Hull Kingston Rovers)
• Aaron Teroi (Central Queensland Capras)
• Zane Tetevano (Leeds Rhinos)
• Paul Ulberg (London Broncos)

England

• Andy Ackers (Salford Red Devils)
• Joe Batchelor (St Helens)
• John Bateman (Wigan Warriors)
• Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Mike Cooper (Wigan Warriors)
• Herbie Farnworth (Brisbane Broncos)
• Ryan Hall (Hull KR)
• Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants)
• Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
• Matty Lees (St Helens)
• Tommy Makinson (St Helens)
• Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons)
• Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons)
• Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
• Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors)
• Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
• Marc Sneyd (Salford Red Devils)
• Luke Thompson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons)
• Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils)
• Jack Welsby (St Helens)
• Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)
• George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
• Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)

Fiji

• Jowasa Drodrolagi (Whitehaven)
• Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm)
• Vuate Karawalevu (Sydney Roosters)
• Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)
• Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)
• Lamar Manuel-Liolevave (Tweed Seagulls)
• Isaac Lumelume (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Kaylen Miller (Mounties)
• Netane Masima (Western Suburbs Magpies)
• Laitia Moceidreke (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Sitiveni Moceidreke (London Broncos)
• Kevin Naiqama (Sydney Roosters)
• Ben Nakubuwai (Leigh Centurions)
• Henry Raiwalui (Mounties)
• Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu (Redcliffe Dolphins)
• Mikaele Ravalawa (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
• Taniela Sadrugu (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Pio Seci (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Maika Sivo (Parramatta Eels)
• Penioni Tagituimua (Redcliffe Dolphins)
• Sunia Turuva (Penrith Panthers)
• Semi Valemei (Canberra Raiders)
• King Vuniyayawa (Salford Red Devils)
• Brandon Wakeham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters)

France

• Lambert Belmas (Toulouse Olympique)
• Alrix Da Costa (Catalans Dragons)
• Jordan Dezaria (Catalans Dragons)
• Morgan Escaré (Salford Red Devils)
• Benjamin Garcia (Catalans Dragons)
• Tony Gigot (Toulouse Olympique)
• Mickaël Goudemand (Catalans Dragons)
• Benjamin Jullien (Catalans Dragons)
• Matthieu Laguerre (Catalans Dragons)
• Samisoni Langi (Catalans Dragons)
• Corentin Le Cam (Catalans Dragons)
• Paul Marcon (Toulouse Olympique)
• Anthony Marion (Toulouse Olympique)
• Arthur Mourgue (Catalans Dragons)
• Eloi Pelissier (Toulouse Olympique)
• Maxime Puech (Albi Tigers)
• Arthur Romano (Catalans Dragons)
• César Rougé (Catalans Dragons)
• Justin Sangaré (Toulouse Olympique)
• Paul Séguier (Catalans Dragons)
• Gadwin Springer (Featherstone Rovers)
• Maxime Stefani (Toulouse Olympique)
• Louis Jouffret (Halifax Panthers)
• Fouad Yaha (Catalans Dragons)

Greece

• Stefanos Bastas (Coventry Bears)
• Nikolaos Bosmos (Rhodes Knights)
• Terry Constantinou (Sunbury Tigers)
• Aris Dardamanis (Aris Eagles)
• Nick Flocas (Ipswich Jets)
• Myles Gal (unaffiliated)
• Jake Kambos (Western Suburbs Magpies)
• Kosta Katsidonis (Rhodes Knights)
• Greg Koutsimporgiorgos (Aris Eagles)
• Lachlan Ilias (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Billy Magoulias (Newtown Jets)
• Peter Mamouzelos (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Jordan Meads (unaffiliated)
• John Mitsias (Western Suburbs Magpies)
• Nick Mougios (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Thodoris Nianiakas (Woolston Rovers)
• Ionnis Nake (unaffiliated)
• Chaise Robinson (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Ionnis Rousoglou (Aris Eagles)
• Sebastian Sell (Mittagong Lions)
• Liam Sue Tin (unaffiliated)
• Billy Tsikrikas (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Robert Tuliatu (London Broncos)
• Adam Vrahnos (London Broncos)
• Mitchell Zampetides (Western Suburbs Magpies)

Ireland

• James Bentley (Leeds Rhinos)
• Keanan Brand (Leigh Centurions)
• Liam Byrne (Wigan Warriors)
• Ed Chamberlain (Leigh Centurions)
• Josh Cook (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Frankie Halton (Hull KR)
• James Hasson (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Jaimin Jolliffe (Gold Coast Titans)
• Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters)
• Joe Keyes (Halifax Panthers)
• Toby King (Warrington Wolves)
• George King (Hull KR)
• Ben Mathiou (Featherstone Rovers)
• James McDonnell (Wigan Warriors)
• Ronan Michael (York City Knights)
• Robbie Mulhern (Warrington Wolves)
• Richie Myler (Leeds Rhinos)
• Dan Norman (St Helens)
• Henry O’Kane (Wests Tigers)
• Harry Rushton (Huddersfield Giants)
• Innes Senior (Huddersfield Giants)
• Louis Senior (Hull KR)
• Michael Ward (Batley Bulldogs)

Italy

• Giordano Arena (Catania Bulls)
• Daniel Atkinson (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
• Simone Boscolo (RC Salon XIII)
• Nathan Brown (Parramatta Eels)
• Jack Campagnolo (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Gieolo Celerino (Saint-Gaudens Bears)
• Jack Colovatti (Parramatta Eels)
• Luke Hodge (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles)
• Anton Iaria (Barrow Raiders)
• Cooper Johns (Melbourne Storm)
• Ryan King (Whitehaven)
• Richard Lepori (Swinton Lions)
• Jake Maizen (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
• Luca Moretti (Parramatta Eels)
• Ethan Natoli (Newtown Jets)
• Ippolito Occhialini (Lignano Sharks)
• Rinaldo Palumbo (London Broncos)
• Dean Parata (London Broncos)
• Kyle Pickering (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
• Luke Polselli (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
• Alex Rojatto (Lignano Sharks)
• Brendan Santi (Keighley Cougars)
• Alec Susino (Penrith Panthers)
• Nicholas Tilburg (Wentworthville Magpies)
• Joseph Tramontana (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles)

Jamaica

• Jordan Andrade (unaffiliated)
• Mo Agoro (Keighley Cougars)
• Chevaughn Bailey (Duhaney Park Red Sharks)
• Joe Brown (Workington Town)
• Jy-Mel Coleman (unaffiliated)
• Joel Farrell (Sheffield Eagles)
• Ashton Golding (Huddersfield Giants)
• Bradley Ho (Keighley Cougars)
• Greg Johnson (Batley Bulldogs)
• Aaron Jones-Bishop (Cornwall)
• Ben Jones-Bishop (Sheffield Eagles)
• Michael Lawrence (Huddersfield Giants)
• Abevia McDonald (London Skolars)
• Khamisi McKain (Duhaney Park Red Sharks)
• Jacob Ogden (York City Knights)
• Ross Peltier (Dewsbury Rams)
• Kieran Rush (Huddersfield Giants)
• Andrew Simpson (Duhaney Park Red Sharks)
• Marvin Thompson (Duhaney Park Red Sharks)
• Keenen Tomlinson (Dewsbury Rams)
• Renaldo Wade (Duhaney Park Red Sharks)
• AJ Wallace (Bradford Bulls)
• James Woodburn-Hall (Halifax Panthers)
• Alex Young (Workington Town)

Lebanon

• Jalal Bazzaz (Wests Suburbs Red Devils)
• Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers)
• Hanna El-Nachar (Penrith Panthers)
• Toufic El-Hajj (American University of Beirut)
• Elie El-Zakhem (Parramatta Eels)
• Atef Hamdan (Wolves RLFC, Lebanon)
• Kayne Kalache (Newtown Jets)
• Andrew Kazzi (Western Suburbs Magpies)
• Jacob Kiraz (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Bilaal Maarbani (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles)
• Anthony Layoun (St. Mary’s Saints)
• Josh Mansour (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Josh Maree (Wentworthville United)
• Tony Maroun (Ryde-Eastwood Hawks)
• Abbas Miski (Wigan Warriors)
• Brandon Morkos (Canberra Raiders)
• Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
• Jaxson Rahme (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Khalil Rahme (Mounties)
• Khaled Rajab (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Reece Robinson (unaffiliated)
• James Roumanos (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Mikey Tannous (Wests Tigers)
• Charbel Tasipale (Newtown Jets)

New Zealand

• Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm)
• Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
• Kenny Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
• Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels)
• James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers)
• Kieran Foran (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Peta Hiku (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm)
• Sebastian Kris (Canberra Raiders)
• Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers)
• Isaac Liu (Gold Coast Titans)
• Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters)
• Jeremy Marshall-King (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
• Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Canberra Raiders)
• Briton Nikora (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
• Marata Niukore (Parramatta Eels)
• Isaiah Papali’i (Parramatta Eels)
• Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders)
• Brandon Smith (Melbourne Storm)
• Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers)
• Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)
• Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)
• Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (New Zealand Warriors)

Papua New Guinea

• Wellington Albert (London Broncos)
• Jacob Alick (Gold Coast Titans)
• Keven Appo (PNG Hunters)
• Watson Boas (Doncaster)
• Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)
• Edene Gebbie (Townsville Blackhawks)
• Edwin Ipape (Leigh Centurions)
• Zev John (Central Queensland Capras)
• Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Lachlan Lam (Leigh Centurions)
• Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks)
• Nene Macdonald (Leigh Centurions)
• Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos)
• Sylvester Namo (PNG Hunters)
• Jimmy Ngutlik (Western Suburbs Magpies)
• Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm)
• Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras)
• Daniel Russell (Brisbane Tigers)
• Jeremiah Simbiken (Redcliffe Dolphins)
• Rodrick Tai (PNG Hunters)
• Sherwin Tanabi (PNG Hunters)
• Wesser Tenza (PNG Hunters)
• Emmanuel Waine (PNG Hunters)
• McKenzie Yei (Central Queensland Capras)

Sāmoa

• Josh Aloiai (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Fa’amanu Brown (Wests Tigers)
• Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)
• Mathew Feagai (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
• Braden Hamlin-Uele (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
• Chanel Harris-Tavita (New Zealand Warriors)
• Royce Hunt (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
• Oregon Kaufusi (Parramatta Eels)
• Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers)
• Danny Levi (Huddersfield Giants)
• Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)
• Taylan May (Penrith Panthers)
• Tyrone May (Catalans Dragons)
• Anthony Milford (Newcastle Knights)
• Josh Papali’i (Canberra Raiders)
• Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
• Ligi Sao (Hull F.C.)
• Jaydn Su’A (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
• Joseph Sua’ali’i (Sydney Roosters)
• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)
• Martin Taupau (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
• Kelma Tuilagi (Wests Tigers)

Scotland

• Euan Aitken (New Zealand Warriors)
• Luke Bain (Parramatta Eels)
• Logan Bayliss-Brow (Brisbane Broncos)
• James Bell (St Helens)
• Ryan Brierley (Salford Red Devils)
• Keiran Buchanan (Batley Bulldogs)
• Lewis Clarke (Edinburgh Eagles)
• Davey Dixon (Dewsbury Rams)
• Charlie Emslie (Barrow Raiders)
• Dale Ferguson (Dewsbury Rams)
• Calum Gahan (London Broncos)
• Guy Graham (Whitehaven)
• Bailey Hayward (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
• Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers)
• Liam Hood (Wakefield Trinity)
• Kane Linnett (Hull KR)
• Bayley Liu (Sheffield Eagles)
• Sam Luckley (Salford Red Devils)
• Matty Russell (Toulouse Olympique)
• Kyle Schneider (Mackay Cutters)
• Jack Teanby (York City Knights)
• Shane Toal (Barrow Raiders)
• Alex Walker (London Broncos)
• Lachlan Walmsley (Halifax Panthers)

Tonga

• Talatau Amone (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
• David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
• Addin Fonua-Blake (New Zealand Warriors)
• Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)
• Siliva Havili (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Will Hopoate (St Helens)
• Konrad Hurrell (St Helens)
• Isaiya Katoa (Penrith Panthers)
• Sione Katoa (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
• Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm)
• Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Toluta’u Koula (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield)
• Soni Luke (Penrith Panthers)
• Ben Murdoch-Masila (New Zealand Warriors)
• Tesi Niu (Brisbane Broncos)
• Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
• Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels)
• Moses Suli (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
• Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
• Tevita Tatola (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Siosiua Taukei’aho (Sydney Roosters)
• Jason Taumālolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)

Wales

• Caleb Aekins (Leigh Centurions)
• Bailey Antrobus (York City Knights)
• Gavin Bennion (Rochdale Hornets)
• Joe Burke (West Wales Raiders)
• Chester Butler (Bradford Bulls)
• Mike Butt (Swinton Lions)
• Connor Davies (Workington Town)
• Curtis Davies (Whitehaven)
• Rhys Evans (Bradford Bulls)
• Will Evans (Whitehaven)
• Kyle Evans (Wakefield Trinity)
• Ben Evans (Bradford Bulls)
• Dan Fleming (Featherstone Rovers)
• Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings)
• Dalton Grant (London Broncos)
• Tom Hopkins (Barrow Raiders)
• Elliot Kear (Bradford Bulls)
• Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions)
• James Olds (Valleys Diehards)
• Ollie Olds (Valleys Diehards)
• Josh Ralph (Mounties)
• Luis Roberts (Leigh Centurions)
• Anthony Walker (Bradford Bulls)
• Rhys Williams (Salford Red Devils)

Analysis

With several nations dreaming of genuine World Cup glory and others hoping to enjoy unprecedented success, there is a tonne at stake for all 16 nations. Here is a brief outlook for each squad:

Australia

Best-case: Champions

Pass: Champions

Worst-case: Knocked out by New Zealand in the semi-finals

The Kangaroos find themselves in a strange position; they have won just two of their four international clashes since winning the 2017 World Cup but enter this year’s tournament as overwhelming favourites. The first four weeks of competition should prove straightforward for their star-studded unit and are expected

to face-off against the Kiwis in what could be the matchup of the tournament in the semi-finals. They will expect to bring the trophy home and anything short will be a disappointment.

Cook Islands

Best-case: Quarterfinal loss to England or Sāmoa

Pass:  Handle Wales and keep things interesting against Tonga and Papua New Guinea

Worst-case: 0-3 in the group stage

The Kukis possess a nice mix of wily veterans – Zane Tetevano, Dylan Napa, Brad Takairangi – and exuberant youngsters – Davvy Moale, Kayal Iro, Brendan Piakura. Perhaps had the draw been kinder to them, a playoffs berth would have been on the cards, however, clashes against the Tongans and Kumuls are a tough ask. An upset and subsequent quarterfinals berth is not out of the question, however, a win and two losses looks the most likely outcome for Tony Iro’s Cook Islands side.

England

Best-case: Champions

Pass:  Semi-finals berth

Worst-case: Lose to Sāmoa in the group stage, eliminated by Tonga in the quarterfinals

One of the most interesting sides in the tournament, the hosts will be desperate to avenge their 6-0 World Cup Final defeat in 2017 against some tougher competition. Wins against Greece and France should be automatic for Shaun Wane’s men; however, their fortunes may be decided in the tournament opener against the Sāmoans in Newcastle. Despite being without several of the veterans that dragged to a Final last time around – Sam Burgess, James Graham, James Roby and Gareth Widdop – as well as injured Super League stars Jonny Lomax and Alex Walmsley, they will be bullish on their chances of a fairy-tale run on home soil but will have their work cut out for them against Sāmoa and Tonga.

Fiji

Best-case: Competitive against New Zealand in the quarterfinals

Pass:  Competitive against New Zealand in the quarterfinals

Worst-case: Uncompetitive against New Zealand in the quarterfinals

It is difficult seeing this tournament end in anything other than a quarterfinals exit at the hands of New Zealand for the Fijians. With the Saifitis, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Waqa Blake, Marcelo Montoya and Tariq Sims all unavailable, the Fijians are without some firepower and will struggle against the likes of Australia and New Zealand who they will need to beat to advance beyond the quarterfinals. Viliame Kikau, Apisai Koroisau, Maika Sivo, Mikaele Ravalawa, Tui Kamikamica and Sunia Turuva will still be more than enough to earn group stage wins over Italy and Scotland, however, replicating their 2017 run to the semis seems a bridge too far.

France

Best-case: Upset their way to a quarterfinals berth

Pass: Beat Greece, prove competitive against England or Sāmoa

Worst-case: Beat Greece, prove uncompetitive against England and Sāmoa

As rugby league fans cross their fingers for a French renaissance ahead of the 2025 World Cup in the country, a 17 made up exclusively of French Super Leaguers may prove a headache for some of the tournament heavyweights. The French have not beaten an England or Great Britain side in 32 years and, whilst that drought looks likely to be extended, the French will be desperate to cause an upset against the hosts and punch their ticket to a quarterfinal. In all likelihood, the French will be a class above Greece and a class below England and Sāmoa, however, Laurent Frayssinous’ Chanticleers are trending in the right direction.

Greece

Best-case: Steal a win against the French

Pass: Competitive against France

Worst-case: Back-to-back-to-back drubbings

World Cup rookies Greece are firmly in the “happy to be here” camp but will be eager to make a name for themselves on the world stage if given the opportunity and continue to push the sport in the right direction in their homeland. Lachlan Ilias, Billy Magoulias, Peter Mamouzelos and Billy Tsikrikas all have NRL experience that will benefit some of their lower-graders and domestic players. Whilst Steve Georgallis’ men feel destined for a winless campaign, World Cup qualification and Greek government recognition has the nation building nicely regardless.

Ireland

Best-case: Quarterfinal loss to Australia

Pass: Quarterfinal loss to Australia

Worst-case: Group stage exit

Ireland are in a position where their duration of their tournament will likely be decided by a single game: their group stage clash against Lebanon in Leigh. The addition of Luke Keary is huge for them and has them a strong chance of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time since 2008. Given the fact a win over Jamaica and a loss to the Kiwis seems all but guaranteed, the winner between them and Lebanon are expected to face Australia in the quarterfinals, a berth that firms as an important achievement for Ged Corcoran’s men.

Italy

Best-case: Upset Scotland, prove competitive against Fiji

Pass: Upset Scotland

Worst-case: 0-3 in the group stage

With a squad far removed from their 2017 unit consisting of the likes of James Tedesco, Paul Vaughan, Daniel Alvaro and Mark Minichiello, the ceiling for the Italians in this year’s tournament is rather low. With Nathan Brown and Cooper Johns their only recognised NRLers, things could get ugly against the likes of Australia and Fiji. They will focus heavily on their clash against the Bravehearts in hopes of pulling off an upset, however, a winless campaign may be on the cards for the Azzurri.

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Jamaica

Best-case: Competitive against Ireland and Lebanon

Pass: Competitive against Ireland or Lebanon

Worst-case: Three hammerings

The second of this year’s debutants, the Jamaicans are alongside Greece in the “happy to be here” camp and will class their tournament as a success before a ball is kicked. With a half-dozen former- or current-Super Leaguers as well as a mixture of UK lower-graders and domestic stars, the Jamaicans possess an interesting collection of footballers who will hope to use this year’s World Cup as a building block towards qualifying for future World Cups and a catalyst for making waves back home.

Lebanon

Best-case: Quarterfinal loss to Australia

Pass: Quarterfinal loss to Australia

Worst-case: Group stage exit

The Cedars find themselves in the same position as the Irish in that their clash against one another will have the feel of a sudden-death playoff. With one of the tournament’s elite halves-pairings – Mitchell Moses and Adam Doueihi – at their disposal along with a backline consisting of Jacob Kiraz, Josh Mansour, Reece Robinson, Abbas Miski and Brandon Morkos, a quarterfinals berth should be the benchmark for Michael Cheika’s men. With their results against New Zealand and Jamaica virtually guaranteed, keep an eye on the Cedars-Wolfhounds clash as one of the most exciting of the tournament’s group stage.

New Zealand

Best-case: Champions

Pass: Champions

Worst-case: Semi-final loss to the Kangaroos

With an insanely powerful squad at their disposal, the Kiwis will be dreaming of replicating their dream 2008 World Cup run 14 years on. A spine consisting of Joseph Manu, Dylan Brown, Jahrome Hughes and Brandon Smith can compete with the best of them whilst their crop of middle forwards may be the best in the tournament. They will breeze past their opponents in the group stage and should have no issues dispatching of Fiji in the quarterfinals, however, their biggest test will likely be the clash of the tournament: a semi-final showdown against rivals Australia in Leeds.

Papua New Guinea

Best-case: A maiden semi-finals berth

Pass: A spirited quarterfinals exit

Worst-case: Group stage exit

The Kumuls travel to the UK with some genuine star power amongst their ranks and a bruising forwards pack willing to mix it with anyone. Alex Johnston, Justin Olam, and Xavier Coates offer them some spark with ball in hand whilst Lachlan Lam and Kyle Laybutt have proven to be competent international-level halves. Teams will not look forward to facing the Kumuls and, should the group stage shake out as expected, they will have an opportunity to upset England or Sāmoa in the quarterfinals in Wigan.

Scotland

Best-case: Take care of Italy, show something against Fiji

Pass: Manage a win over Italy

Worst-case: Winless tournament

Scotland have small collection of handy footballers in their squad and should like their chances against the Italians but may struggle to keep up with Australia and Fiji; Euan Aitken is their lone NRLer whilst Logan Bayliss-Brow and Bailey Hayward are highly regarded youngsters in the Australian lower-grades. Ryan Brierley, Matty Russell, and Kane Linnett enjoyed solid Super League seasons, however, their meeting with Italy appears to be their only winnable fixture this tournament.

Sāmoa

Best-case: Champions

Pass: World Cup Final berth

Worst-case: Quarterfinals exit

Sāmoa enter the tournament with their strongest ever squad and will undoubtedly be eyeing a maiden world title. Their centre-threequarters are fresh off an NRL premiership with Penrith whilst likely fullback Joseph Sua’ali’i earnt a Team of the Year nod in his first full season at NRL level. Josh Papali’i and Junior Paulo make up close to the best starting front-row pairing in the world whilst Jarome Luai will be leant on as the side’s conductor. A title run seems well within reach for this unit, however, they will need to find wins against perhaps both England and Tonga for a shot at Australia or New Zealand in the final.

Tonga

Best-case: Champions

Pass: World Cup Final berth

Worst-case: Quarterfinals exit

After the 2017 Tongan revolution breathed life into nation, Kristian Woolf’s men have been seemingly hellbent on going one (or two) better this time around in the UK. Their 2017 campaign ended with a tight loss to England in the semi-finals which some of the squad’s veterans will be desperate to avenge alongside the next generation of Tongan stars. Their outside backs and forwards offer a tonne of skill and power that should be able to trouble whoever they face. Questions marks surrounding their largely inexperienced and untested spine are valid but the remainder of their 17 will consist of multiple stars dreaming of World Cup glory.

Wales

Best-case: Competitive against Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea

Pass: Competitive against Cook Islands or Papua New Guinea

Worst-case: Winless tournament

Expectations for the Welsh are rather low; they have drawn a difficult pool and lack any sort of top-tier talent with Rhys Williams and Kyle Evans their only squad-members to appear in any Super League games this season. They will circle their clash against the Cook Islands as their most achievable win, however, the Kukis possess a nice diversity of talent and will be difficult to overcome. The most likely scenario is an 0-3 campaign for John Kear’s men who will shift their attention towards qualifying for the 2025 World Cup in France.

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