Rugby League World Cup Preview: Australia

At The Sporting Base, we will be previewing all 16 Rugby League World Cup nations ahead of the men’s tournament’s kick-off on 15 October. In part five of the series, we hop over to Group B and look at World Cup favourites and reigning champions Australia and whether they will have what it takes to hold off a collection of improving challengers this time around.

IRL Ranking: 4th

Group: B

Schedule: Fiji (Headingley Stadium, Leeds); Scotland (Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry); Italy (Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens)

World Cup Appearances: 15 (1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1985-88, 1989-92, 1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017)

Best Result: Champions (1957, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1985-88, 1989-92, 1995, 2000, 2013, 2017)

Head Coach: Mal Meninga

Title Odds: $1.40 Download Our Free NRL App

Whilst the Australian squad is set to be weakened by several high-profile defections, the Kangaroos still boast the deepest talent pool in world rugby league and will again be difficult to beat having gone undefeated in their previous two World Cup campaigns.

It will have been close to three years since their last international outing – 16-12 loss to Tonga in Auckland – when they face Fiji in Leeds in their tournament opener.

They also have clashes against Scotland in Coventry and Italy in St Helens to look forward to before moving onto the finals.

There is still some uncertainty surrounding Mal Meninga’s squad with the NRL’s finals series still to be played and several hopefuls still uncommitted. Roosters superstar James Tedesco is expected to wear the number one jumper and be awarded the captaincy following the retirement of Boyd Cordner.

Meninga has a number of options in the centres and on the wing with Latrell Mitchell likely the only centre threequarter guarantee. Expect Valentine Holmes to occupy either the centre or wing position should he opt to represent Australia over the Cook Islands with Josh Addo-Carr, Selwyn Cobbo, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Corey Oates and Alex Johnston among those vying for the vacancies on the flanks. Dane Gagai, Matt Burton, and Jack Wighton will all be considered to partner Mitchell in the centres with Tom Trbojevic expected to forego the tournament due to injury.

Cameron Munster will be the first-choice five-eighth and is expected to be partnered by Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans after a successful Origin campaign. Whilst Cleary has proven the more productive halfback at NRL level, Cherry-Evans’ Queensland connection will likely earn him the nod alongside Munster. Wighton and Burton are also options in the halves whilst Ben Hunt is expected to play some part whether it be in the halves, at hooker, or on the bench.

Harry Grant and Damien Cook will compete for the hooking role with Reece Robson an outside chance of traveling with the team. Hunt has started at hooker in Queensland’s past four Origin games for three wins and may be tasked with the same responsibility in the green-and-gold jumper provided Meninga plans on carrying two nines in his 17.

Penrith stalwart Isaah Yeo is favoured to land the 13 jersey with Cameron Murray expected to shift onto an edge. Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jake Trbojevic, Patty Carrigan, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Collins and Jai Arrow are all expected to be considered for spots in the middle rotation whilst the likes of Thomas Flegler, Jordan McLean, or David Klemmer may come into the frame if injuries arise.

With Murray likely on one edge, Meninga will weigh up the likes of Kurt Capewell, Angus Crichton, Liam Martin, David Fifita, Jeremiah Nanai and Tom Gilbert on the other. Crichton, Martin, and Gilbert all have experience playing in the middle of the field which would serve them well should Meninga prioritise versatility.

This Australian unit oozes class in its spine and possesses a tonne of firepower in its outside backs, as well as a strong and dynamic forward pack. They are the rightful favourites, however, New Zealand, Tonga, Sāmoa and England will all be waiting for their opportunity to knock off the tournament heavyweights. The road to victory for those sides will likely be through Australia’s slightly weakened and inexperienced forward pack.

Provided the group stage shakes up as anticipated, the odds of Australia facing rivals New Zealand in the Final appear slim with the two sides projected to meet in the semi-finals with Tonga, Sāmoa, and England on the other side of the bracket.

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