The 2008 Rugby League World Cup featured the national teams (selected from twenty-four-man squads) of ten nations: Australia, England, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, France, Scotland, Ireland, Samoa, and Tonga.Two More Vodafone Warriors in World Cup Teams NZ Warriors, 8 October 2008.Fiji, Ireland, Samoa, Scotland and Tonga sides Official RLWC08 site, 8 October 2008.
Pool A
Australia Head coach: Ricky Stuart Assistant coaches: John Cartwright and Allan Langer
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubDarren Lockyer (capt) 4 8FE Brisbane BroncosDarius Boyd1 1 0WG Brisbane BroncosTerry Campese 1 0FE Canberra RaidersPetero Civoniceva 4 0PR Penrith PanthersCraig Fitzgibbon 3 0SR Sydney RoostersIsrael Folau 5 8CE Melbourne StormPaul Gallen 5 4SR Cronulla-Sutherland SharksKurt Gidley 1 0UB Newcastle KnightsKarmichael Hunt1 3 0FB Brisbane BroncosGreg Inglis 4 24UB Melbourne StormBrent Kite 5 0PR Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesAnthony Laffranchi 4 8SR Gold Coast TitansJoel Monaghan 5 16CE Canberra RaidersJosh Perry 3 0PR Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesSteve Price 4 0PR New Zealand WarriorsScott Prince 2 24HB Gold Coast TitansBilly Slater 4 28FB Melbourne StormCameron Smith 5 2HK Melbourne StormGlenn Stewart 4 0SR Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesBrent Tate 4 8CE New Zealand WarriorsJohnathan Thurston 4 50HB North Queensland CowboysAnthony Tupou2 5 4SR Sydney RoostersAnthony Watmough 2 0SR Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesDavid Williams 2 16WG Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 1 Replaced originally selected Brett Stewart and Justin Hodges who withdrew on 16 October.Broncos duo join Kangaroos NRL Official Site, 16 October 2008
2 Replaced originally selected Michael Crocker who withdrew due to injury on 9 October.Tupou a Kangaroo again, replaces Crocker NRL Official website, 9 October 2008
England Head coach: Tony Smith /Assistant coach: Steve McNamara PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubJamie Peacock (capt) 4 4PR Leeds RhinosRob Burrow 4 22SH Leeds RhinosMark Calderwood 3 0WG Wigan WarriorsGareth Ellis 4 0SR Leeds RhinosMaurie Fa'asavalu 2 0PR St. HelensAde Gardner 3 8WG St. HelensMartin Gleeson 4 12CE Warrington WolvesJames Graham 3 0PR St. HelensMickey Higham 2 4HK Warrington WolvesGareth Hock 4 0SR Wigan WarriorsJamie Jones-Buchanan 1 0SR Leeds RhinosJamie Langley 1 0LF Bradford BullsDanny McGuire 3 8FE Leeds RhinosAdrian Morley 4 0PR Warrington WolvesLeon Pryce 3 0SO St. HelensRob Purdham 2 0LF Harlequins RLJames Roby 3 4HK St. HelensKeith Senior 4 0CE Leeds RhinosKevin Sinfield 3 8LK Leeds RhinosLee Smith 2 12WG Leeds RhinosPaul Sykes 1 0CE Bradford BullsPaul Wellens 4 0FB St. HelensBen Westwood 1 0SR Warrington WolvesJon Wilkin 3 0SR St. Helens
New Zealand Head coach: Stephen Kearney Assistant coach: Wayne Bennett
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubNathan Cayless (capt) 4 0PR Parramatta EelsAdam Blair 5 8PR Melbourne StormGreg Eastwood 5 4LK Brisbane BroncosDavid Fa'alogo 4 4SR South Sydney RabbitohsNathan Fien 5 4UH New Zealand WarriorsDene Halatau 1 0HK Wests TigersBronson Harrison1 3 4SR Wests TigersLance Hohaia 5 16UH New Zealand WarriorsKrisnan Inu 1 10UB Parramatta EelsDavid Kidwell 1 0SR South Sydney RabbitohsThomas Leuluai 5 0HB Wigan WarriorsIssac Luke 4 16HK South Sydney RabbitohsSimon Mannering 5 8SR New Zealand WarriorsSika Manu 4 4PR Melbourne StormBenji Marshall 5 14FE Wests TigersSteve Matai 2 2CE Manly Sea EaglesJason Nightingale2 1 4WG St. George Illawarra DragonsSam Perrett 4 12UB Sydney RoostersSam Rapira 4 0PR New Zealand WarriorsJerome Ropati 5 16CE New Zealand WarriorsSetaimata Sa 1 0CE Sydney RoostersJeremy Smith 5 12SR Melbourne StormEvarn Tuimavave2 1 0PR New Zealand WarriorsManu Vatuvei 5 16WG New Zealand Warriors
1 Replaced originally named Iosia Soliola who withdrew due to injury on 21 October.
2 Replaced originally named Brent Webb and Jeff Lima who withdrew due to injury on 7 October.Tuimavave becomes Seventh Vodafone Warrior in Kiwis World Cup Squad NZ Warriors, 9 October 2008.
Papua New Guinea Head coach: Adrian Lam PNG will shock big guns, says Costigan NRL Official site, 13 October 2008Kumuls get Pidgin lesson NRL Official site, 21 October 2008
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubJohn Wilshire (capt) 3 10UB Salford City RedsDavid Moore 3 0WG Gold Coast TitansGeorge Keppa 2 8WG Norths DevilsStanley Gene 3 0LK Hull Kingston RoversKeith Peters 3 0HB Penrith PanthersCharlie Wabo 2 0PR MMabey & Johnson MuruksRodney Pora 1 0PR Mabey & Johnson MuruksGeorge Moni 2 0SR MMabey & Johnson MuruksNickson Kolo 1 0CE Masta Mark City RangersPaul Aiton 3 4HK Penrith PanthersJessie Joe Parker 3 0FE Masta Mark City RangersMakali Aizue 2 0PR Hull Kingston RoversTrevor Exton 3 0SR Ipswich JetsNeville Costigan 3 0SR Canberra RaidersJames Nightingale 3 0LK Penrith PanthersRod Griffin 3 4LK Northern PrideLarsen Marabe 0 0FB Agmark GuriasKevin Prior 1 0CE Wentworthville MagpiesJay Aston 1 0SR Melbourne StormTu'u Maori 3 0WG Sydney RoostersMenzie Yere 1 4FE Agmark GuriasJason Chan 3 4CE Windsor WolvesNico Slain 1 0HK Bintangor LahanisAnton Kui 1 0HB Bingtangor Lahanis
Pool B
Fiji Head coach: Joe Dakuitoga
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubWes Naiqama (capt)432WG Newcastle KnightsNick Bradley-Qalilawa40WG Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesJayson Bukuya48CE Cronulla-Sutherland SharksIowane Divavesi24PR Terrigal SharksAaron Groom40HB Bulldogs RLFCJarryd Hayne412FB/WG/FE Parramatta EelsSevania Koroi40CE/LK Western Suburbs MagpiesJosua Koroibulu00 Milton-Ulladulla BulldogsJone Macilai10CE/FB/WG Fassifern RLFCDaryl Millard30CE Bulldogs RLFCVula Louis Dakuitoga Naqau00 Terrigal SharksKaliova Nauqe20 Fassifern RLFCAlipate Noilea30FE Parkes SpacemenJosateki Ravueta Sawtell PanthersOsea Sadrau40PR Fassifern RLFCAshton Sims40PR Brisbane BroncosJames Storer30 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksNemani Suguturaga00 Nabua BroncosWaisale Sukanaveita40HK Terrigal SharksSemi Tadulala48WG Bradford BullsSemisi Tora44LK Parkes SpacemenMalakai Yalimaiwai Tuiloa Milton-Ulladulla BulldogsAkuila Uate420WG Newcastle KnightsIlisoni Vonomateiratu40PR Lautoka CrushersJone Wesele20 Darlington Point
France Head coach: John Monie
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubJérôme Guisset (capt)312PR Catalans DragonsÉric Anselme20CE Leeds RhinosJean-Philippe Baile10CE Catalans DragonsJean-Christophe Borlin10FR Saint-Gaudens BearsThomas Bosc316FE Catalans DragonsLaurent Carrasco20LK Villeneuve LeopardsRémi Casty20PR Catalans DragonsOlivier Elima30SR Catalans DragonsJamal Fakir30SR Catalans DragonsAdel Fellous20PR Lézignan SangliersMaxime Grésèque20HB Pia DonkeysMathieu Griffi10FR Catalans DragonsChristophe Moly34UH/UB AS CarcassonneGrégory Mounis30LK Catalans DragonsJustin Murphy20WG Catalans DragonsDimitri Pelo20WG Catalans DragonsSébastien Planas14WG Toulouse OlympiqueSébastien Raguin34SR Catalans DragonsJulien Rinaldi10HB Harlequins RLTeddy Sadaoui30CE AS CarcassonneJared Taylor34FB Lézignan SangliersJohn Wilson38CE Catalans DragonsJames Wynne20HB Lézignan Sangliers
Scotland Except for Edinburgh Eagles stand-off Paddy Couper, all of the Scottish team's players were selected under the grandparent rule.
Head coach: Steve McCormack
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubDanny Brough (capt)212HB Wakefield Trinity WildcatsChris Armit30PR Bulldogs RLFCDean Colton14WG DoncasterPaddy CouparPaddy Coupar a true Braveheart @ NRL Official Site, 17 October 200810HB/CE Edinburgh EaglesGavin Cowan20CE Easts TigersJohn Duffy30HB Widnes VikingsBen Fisher20HK Hull Kingston RoversAndrew Henderson30HK Castleford TigersIan Henderson30HK New Zealand WarriorsKevin Henderson30CE Wakefield Trinity WildcatsJack Howieson10PR Sheffield EaglesPaul Jackson20PR Huddersfield GiantsWade Liddell20FB Easts TigersScott Logan30PR Canberra RaidersNeil Lowe10SR Keighley CougarsDave McConnell10HK Leigh CenturionsDuncan MacGillivray20SR Wakefield Trinity WildcatsIain Morrison30SR Widnes VikingsGareth Morton10CE OldhamMick Nanyn30CE OldhamLee Paterson10FE Widnes VikingsMichael Robertson34WG Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesJon Steel28WG Hull Kingston RoversOliver Wilkes38PR Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Pool C
Ireland Head coach: Andy Kelly
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubScott Grix (capt)34FB Wakefield Trinity WildcatsRoss Barbour00CE Carlow CrusadersBob Beswick30LK HalifaxDamien Blanch320WG Wakefield Trinity WildcatsMick Cassidy10SR Barrow RaidersGed Corcoran10PR Sheffield EaglesLee Doran30SR Widnes VikingsLiam Finn34HB Dewsbury RamsSimon Finnigan34SR Huddersfield GiantsKarl Fitzpatrick30FB Salford City RedsStevie Gibbons00WG London SkolarsSean Gleeson34CE Wakefield Trinity WildcatsBrendan Guilfoyle00PR Treaty City TitansGareth Haggerty30PR Harlequins RLBen Harrison30PR Warrington WolvesGraham Holroyd00FE HalifaxWayne Kerr10PR London SkolarsStuart Littler30CE Salford City RedsMichael McIlorum30HK Wigan WarriorsShayne McMenemy00SR WA RedsEamon O'Carroll30PR Wigan WarriorsMichael Platt34FB Bradford BullsPat Richards328WG Wigan WarriorsRyan Tandy30PR Wests Tigers
Brett White was originally named but withdrew due to injury on 9 October. He was replaced by Brendan Guilfoyle.White withdraws from Ireland WCup squad @ NRL Official website, 9 October 2008 Shannon McDonnell has also withdrawn due to injury. He was replaced by Shayne McMenemy.Ireland seething over treatment @ NZ Herald, 14 October 2008.Ireland suffer White injury blow @ BBC, 9 October 2008
Samoa Head coach: John Ackland
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubNigel Vagana (capt)28CE South Sydney RabbitohsGeorge Carmont38WG/CE Wigan WarriorsDavid Faiumu00HK North Queensland CowboysHarrison Hansen30SR Wigan WarriorsAli Lauitiiti30SR Leeds RhinosTuaalagi Lepupa00 Marist SaintsKylie Leuluai20PR Leeds RhinosWayne McDade20PR Auckland VulcansFrancis Meli38WG St Helens R.F.C.Joseph Paulo34SR/FE Penrith PanthersFrank Puletua34PR Penrith PanthersTony Puletua30SR Penrith PanthersBen Roberts318HB/FE Bulldogs RLFCTangi Ropati10FB Easts TigersSmith Samau30WG Gold Coast TitansLagi Setu20SR St. George Illawarra DragonsTerrence Seu Seu30HK Cronulla-Sutherland SharksDavid Solomona24SR Bradford BullsWillie Talau20CE St Helens R.F.C.Alby Talipeau20HB Souths Logan MagpiesMisi Taulapapa28WG Cronulla-Sutherland SharksBen Te'o18SR Wests TigersTupu Ulufale00 Marist SaintsMatt Utai38WG Bulldogs RLFC
Tonga Head coach: Jim Dymock
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClubLopini Paea (capt)30PR Sydney RoostersAndrew Emelio10CE Bulldogs RLFCRichard Fa'aoso20SR Newcastle KnightsAwen Guttenbeil10SR Castleford TigersMichael Jennings312CE Penrith PanthersAntonio Kaufusi30SR Melbourne StormToshio Laiseni10FB Newtown JetsStephen Latu1003,015WG Parramatta EelsEpalahame Lauaki30SR New Zealand WarriorsTevita Leo-Latu34HK Wakefield Trinity WildcatsWillie Manu30SR Hull F.C.Manase Manuokafoa20SR South Sydney RabbitohsFeleti Mateo34SR Parramatta EelsSam Moa30PR Cronulla-Sutherland SharksEddie Paea26HB South Sydney RabbitohsMickey Paea10SR Sydney RoostersFetuli Talanoa34WG South Sydney RabbitohsJoel Taufa'ao14HB South Sydney RabbitohsEsikeli Tonga24FB Gold Coast TitansEtuate Uaisele38WG Parramatta EelsKim Uasi20HK Auckland VulcansCooper Vuna312WG Newcastle KnightsTony Williams324WG Parramatta Eels
Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki were originally named for Tonga but were ruled ineligible by the Rugby League International Federation after both switched from Tonga to New Zealand in 2007. A New South Wales court later ruled that they could join the team after 12 November, making them available if Tonga made the Semi-finals.Moimoi, Tuiaki cannot play for Tonga @ NRL Official website, 11 October 2008Tonga welcome court ruling on NRL duo @ RLWC Official Website, 28 October 2008 Fraser and Louis Anderson both were originally named but withdrew due to injury. They were replaced by Kim Usai and Sam Moa. Anthony Tupou was originally named but withdrew on 9 October after being called into the Australian squad.
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