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.[1][2]
Pool A
editAustralia
editHead coach: Ricky Stuart 
Assistant coaches: John Cartwright and Allan Langer[3]
.jpg)
1 Replaced originally selected Brett Stewart and Justin Hodges who withdrew on 16 October.[4]
2 Replaced originally selected Michael Crocker who withdrew due to injury on 9 October.[5]
England
editHead coach: Tony Smith /
Assistant coach: Steve McNamara
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Peacock (capt) | 4 | 4 | PR |  Leeds Rhinos
|
| Rob Burrow | 4 | 22 | SH | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Mark Calderwood | 3 | 0 | WG |  Wigan Warriors
|
| Gareth Ellis | 4 | 0 | SR | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Maurie Fa'asavalu | 2 | 0 | PR |  St. Helens
|
| Ade Gardner | 3 | 8 | WG | St. Helens
|
| Martin Gleeson | 4 | 12 | CE |  Warrington Wolves
|
| James Graham | 3 | 0 | PR | St. Helens
|
| Mickey Higham | 2 | 4 | HK | Warrington Wolves
|
| Gareth Hock | 4 | 0 | SR | Wigan Warriors
|
| Jamie Jones-Buchanan | 1 | 0 | SR | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Jamie Langley | 1 | 0 | LF |  Bradford Bulls
|
| Danny McGuire | 3 | 8 | FE | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Adrian Morley | 4 | 0 | PR | Warrington Wolves
|
| Leon Pryce | 3 | 0 | SO | St. Helens
|
| Rob Purdham | 2 | 0 | LF |  Harlequins RL
|
| James Roby | 3 | 4 | HK | St. Helens
|
| Keith Senior | 4 | 0 | CE | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Kevin Sinfield | 3 | 8 | LK | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Lee Smith | 2 | 12 | WG | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Paul Sykes | 1 | 0 | CE | Bradford Bulls
|
| Paul Wellens | 4 | 0 | FB | St. Helens
|
| Ben Westwood | 1 | 0 | SR | Warrington Wolves
|
| Jon Wilkin | 3 | 0 | SR | St. Helens
|
New Zealand
editHead coach: Stephen Kearney 
Assistant coach: Wayne Bennett
.jpg)
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Cayless (capt) | 4 | 0 | PR |  Parramatta Eels
|
| Adam Blair | 5 | 8 | PR |  Melbourne Storm
|
| Greg Eastwood | 5 | 4 | LK |  Brisbane Broncos
|
| David Fa'alogo | 4 | 4 | SR |  South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Nathan Fien | 5 | 4 | UH |  New Zealand Warriors
|
| Dene Halatau | 1 | 0 | HK |  Wests Tigers
|
| Bronson Harrison1 | 3 | 4 | SR | Wests Tigers
|
| Lance Hohaia | 5 | 16 | UH | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Krisnan Inu | 1 | 10 | UB | Parramatta Eels
|
| David Kidwell | 1 | 0 | SR | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Thomas Leuluai | 5 | 0 | HB | Wigan Warriors
|
| Issac Luke | 4 | 16 | HK | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Simon Mannering | 5 | 8 | SR | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Sika Manu | 4 | 4 | PR | Melbourne Storm
|
| Benji Marshall | 5 | 14 | FE | Wests Tigers
|
| Steve Matai | 2 | 2 | CE |  Manly Sea Eagles
|
| Jason Nightingale2 | 1 | 4 | WG |  St. George Illawarra Dragons
|
| Sam Perrett | 4 | 12 | UB |  Sydney Roosters
|
| Sam Rapira | 4 | 0 | PR | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Jerome Ropati | 5 | 16 | CE | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Setaimata Sa | 1 | 0 | CE | Sydney Roosters
|
| Jeremy Smith | 5 | 12 | SR | Melbourne Storm
|
| Evarn Tuimavave2 | 1 | 0 | PR | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Manu Vatuvei | 5 | 16 | WG | New Zealand Warriors
|
1 Replaced originally named Iosia Soliola who withdrew due to injury on 21 October.[6]
2 Replaced originally named Brent Webb and Jeff Lima who withdrew due to injury on 7 October.[7]
Papua New Guinea
editHead coach: Adrian Lam 
[8][9]
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Wilshire (capt) | 3 | 10 | UB |  Salford City Reds
|
| David Moore | 3 | 0 | WG |  Gold Coast Titans
|
| George Keppa | 2 | 8 | WG |  Norths Devils
|
| Stanley Gene | 3 | 0 | LK |  Hull Kingston Rovers
|
| Keith Peters | 3 | 0 | HB |  Penrith Panthers
|
| Charlie Wabo | 2 | 0 | PR | MMabey & Johnson Muruks
|
| Rodney Pora | 1 | 0 | PR | Mabey & Johnson Muruks
|
| George Moni | 2 | 0 | SR | MMabey & Johnson Muruks
|
| Nickson Kolo | 1 | 0 | CE | Masta Mark City Rangers
|
| Paul Aiton | 3 | 4 | HK | Penrith Panthers
|
| Jessie Joe Parker | 3 | 0 | FE | Masta Mark City Rangers
|
| Makali Aizue | 2 | 0 | PR | Hull Kingston Rovers
|
| Trevor Exton | 3 | 0 | SR |  Ipswich Jets
|
| Neville Costigan | 3 | 0 | SR |  Canberra Raiders
|
| James Nightingale | 3 | 0 | LK | Penrith Panthers
|
| Rod Griffin | 3 | 4 | LK |  Northern Pride
|
| Larsen Marabe | 0 | 0 | FB | Agmark Gurias
|
| Kevin Prior | 1 | 0 | CE |  Wentworthville Magpies
|
| Jay Aston | 1 | 0 | SR | Melbourne Storm
|
| Tu'u Maori | 3 | 0 | WG | Sydney Roosters
|
| Menzie Yere | 1 | 4 | FE | Agmark Gurias
|
| Jason Chan | 3 | 4 | CE |  Windsor Wolves
|
| Nico Slain | 1 | 0 | HK | Bintangor Lahanis
|
| Anton Kui | 1 | 0 | HB | Bingtangor Lahanis
|
Pool B
editFiji
editHead coach: Joe Dakuitoga 
France
editHead coach: John Monie [10]
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jérôme Guisset (capt) | 3 | 12 | PR |  Catalans Dragons
|
| Éric Anselme | 2 | 0 | CE | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Jean-Philippe Baile | 1 | 0 | CE | Catalans Dragons
|
| Jean-Christophe Borlin | 1 | 0 | FR |  Saint-Gaudens Bears
|
| Thomas Bosc | 3 | 16 | FE | Catalans Dragons
|
| Laurent Carrasco | 2 | 0 | LK |  Villeneuve Leopards
|
| Rémi Casty | 2 | 0 | PR | Catalans Dragons
|
| Olivier Elima | 3 | 0 | SR | Catalans Dragons
|
| Jamal Fakir | 3 | 0 | SR | Catalans Dragons
|
| Adel Fellous | 2 | 0 | PR |  Lézignan Sangliers
|
| Maxime Grésèque | 2 | 0 | HB |  Pia Donkeys
|
| Mathieu Griffi | 1 | 0 | FR | Catalans Dragons
|
| Christophe Moly | 3 | 4 | UH/UB |  AS Carcassonne
|
| Grégory Mounis | 3 | 0 | LK | Catalans Dragons
|
| Justin Murphy | 2 | 0 | WG | Catalans Dragons
|
| Dimitri Pelo | 2 | 0 | WG | Catalans Dragons
|
| Sébastien Planas | 1 | 4 | WG |  Toulouse Olympique
|
| Sébastien Raguin | 3 | 4 | SR | Catalans Dragons
|
| Julien Rinaldi | 1 | 0 | HB | Harlequins RL
|
| Teddy Sadaoui | 3 | 0 | CE | AS Carcassonne
|
| Jared Taylor | 3 | 4 | FB | Lézignan Sangliers
|
| John Wilson | 3 | 8 | CE | Catalans Dragons
|
| James Wynne | 2 | 0 | HB | Lézignan Sangliers
|
Scotland
editExcept for Edinburgh Eagles stand-off Paddy Couper, all of the Scottish team's players were selected under the grandparent rule.[11]
Head coach: Steve McCormack
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Brough (capt) | 2 | 12 | HB |  Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
|
| Chris Armit | 3 | 0 | PR |  Bulldogs RLFC
|
| Dean Colton | 1 | 4 | WG |  Doncaster
|
| Paddy Coupar[12] | 1 | 0 | HB/CE |  Edinburgh Eagles
|
| Gavin Cowan | 2 | 0 | CE |  Easts Tigers
|
| John Duffy | 3 | 0 | HB |  Widnes Vikings
|
| Ben Fisher | 2 | 0 | HK | Hull Kingston Rovers
|
| Andrew Henderson | 3 | 0 | HK |  Castleford Tigers
|
| Ian Henderson | 3 | 0 | HK | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Kevin Henderson | 3 | 0 | CE | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
|
| Jack Howieson | 1 | 0 | PR |  Sheffield Eagles
|
| Paul Jackson | 2 | 0 | PR |  Huddersfield Giants
|
| Wade Liddell | 2 | 0 | FB | Easts Tigers
|
| Scott Logan | 3 | 0 | PR | Canberra Raiders
|
| Neil Lowe | 1 | 0 | SR |  Keighley Cougars
|
| Dave McConnell | 1 | 0 | HK |  Leigh Centurions
|
| Duncan MacGillivray | 2 | 0 | SR | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
|
| Iain Morrison | 3 | 0 | SR | Widnes Vikings
|
| Gareth Morton | 1 | 0 | CE |  Oldham
|
| Mick Nanyn | 3 | 0 | CE | Oldham
|
| Lee Paterson | 1 | 0 | FE | Widnes Vikings
|
| Michael Robertson | 3 | 4 | WG | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
|
| Jon Steel | 2 | 8 | WG | Hull Kingston Rovers
|
| Oliver Wilkes | 3 | 8 | PR | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
|
Pool C
editIreland
editHead coach: Andy Kelly
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Grix (capt) | 3 | 4 | FB | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
|
| Ross Barbour | 0 | 0 | CE |  Carlow Crusaders
|
| Bob Beswick | 3 | 0 | LK |  Halifax
|
| Damien Blanch | 3 | 20 | WG | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
|
| Mick Cassidy | 1 | 0 | SR |  Barrow Raiders
|
| Ged Corcoran | 1 | 0 | PR | Sheffield Eagles
|
| Lee Doran | 3 | 0 | SR | Widnes Vikings
|
| Liam Finn | 3 | 4 | HB |  Dewsbury Rams
|
| Simon Finnigan | 3 | 4 | SR | Huddersfield Giants
|
| Karl Fitzpatrick | 3 | 0 | FB | Salford City Reds
|
| Stevie Gibbons | 0 | 0 | WG |  London Skolars
|
| Sean Gleeson | 3 | 4 | CE | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
|
| Brendan Guilfoyle | 0 | 0 | PR | Treaty City Titans
|
| Gareth Haggerty | 3 | 0 | PR | Harlequins RL
|
| Ben Harrison | 3 | 0 | PR | Warrington Wolves
|
| Graham Holroyd | 0 | 0 | FE | Halifax
|
| Wayne Kerr | 1 | 0 | PR | London Skolars
|
| Stuart Littler | 3 | 0 | CE | Salford City Reds
|
| Michael McIlorum | 3 | 0 | HK | Wigan Warriors
|
| Shayne McMenemy | 0 | 0 | SR |  WA Reds
|
| Eamon O'Carroll | 3 | 0 | PR | Wigan Warriors
|
| Michael Platt | 3 | 4 | FB | Bradford Bulls
|
| Pat Richards | 3 | 28 | WG | Wigan Warriors
|
| Ryan Tandy | 3 | 0 | PR | Wests Tigers
|
- Brett White was originally named but withdrew due to injury on 9 October. He was replaced by Brendan Guilfoyle.[13]
- Shannon McDonnell has also withdrawn due to injury. He was replaced by Shayne McMenemy.[14][15]
Samoa
editHead coach: John Ackland
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigel Vagana (capt) | 2 | 8 | CE | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| George Carmont | 3 | 8 | WG/CE | Wigan Warriors
|
| David Faiumu | 0 | 0 | HK |  North Queensland Cowboys
|
| Harrison Hansen | 3 | 0 | SR | Wigan Warriors
|
| Ali Lauitiiti | 3 | 0 | SR | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Tuaalagi Lepupa | 0 | 0 | Marist Saints
| |
| Kylie Leuluai | 2 | 0 | PR | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Wayne McDade | 2 | 0 | PR | Auckland Vulcans
|
| Francis Meli | 3 | 8 | WG | St Helens R.F.C.
|
| Joseph Paulo | 3 | 4 | SR/FE | Penrith Panthers
|
| Frank Puletua | 3 | 4 | PR | Penrith Panthers
|
| Tony Puletua | 3 | 0 | SR | Penrith Panthers
|
| Ben Roberts | 3 | 18 | HB/FE | Bulldogs RLFC
|
| Tangi Ropati | 1 | 0 | FB | Easts Tigers
|
| Smith Samau | 3 | 0 | WG | Gold Coast Titans
|
| Lagi Setu | 2 | 0 | SR | St. George Illawarra Dragons
|
| Terrence Seu Seu | 3 | 0 | HK |  Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
|
| David Solomona | 2 | 4 | SR | Bradford Bulls
|
| Willie Talau | 2 | 0 | CE | St Helens R.F.C.
|
| Alby Talipeau | 2 | 0 | HB |  Souths Logan Magpies
|
| Misi Taulapapa | 2 | 8 | WG | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
|
| Ben Te'o | 1 | 8 | SR | Wests Tigers
|
| Tupu Ulufale | 0 | 0 | Marist Saints
| |
| Matt Utai | 3 | 8 | WG | Bulldogs RLFC
|
Tonga
editHead coach: Jim Dymock
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lopini Paea (capt) | 3 | 0 | PR | Sydney Roosters
|
| Andrew Emelio | 1 | 0 | CE | Bulldogs RLFC
|
| Richard Fa'aoso | 2 | 0 | SR |  Newcastle Knights
|
| Awen Guttenbeil | 1 | 0 | SR | Castleford Tigers
|
| Michael Jennings | 3 | 12 | CE | Penrith Panthers
|
| Antonio Kaufusi | 3 | 0 | SR | Melbourne Storm
|
| Toshio Laiseni | 1 | 0 | FB |  Newtown Jets
|
| Stephen Latu | 100 | 3,015 | WG | Parramatta Eels
|
| Epalahame Lauaki | 3 | 0 | SR | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Tevita Leo-Latu | 3 | 4 | HK | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
|
| Willie Manu | 3 | 0 | SR | Hull F.C.
|
| Manase Manuokafoa | 2 | 0 | SR | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Feleti Mateo | 3 | 4 | SR | Parramatta Eels
|
| Sam Moa | 3 | 0 | PR | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
|
| Eddie Paea | 2 | 6 | HB | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Mickey Paea | 1 | 0 | SR | Sydney Roosters
|
| Fetuli Talanoa | 3 | 4 | WG | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Joel Taufa'ao | 1 | 4 | HB | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Esikeli Tonga | 2 | 4 | FB | Gold Coast Titans
|
| Etuate Uaisele | 3 | 8 | WG | Parramatta Eels
|
| Kim Uasi | 2 | 0 | HK | Auckland Vulcans
|
| Cooper Vuna | 3 | 12 | WG | Newcastle Knights
|
| Tony Williams | 3 | 24 | WG | 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.[16][17]
- 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.[5]
Welcome to Country
editAs part of the official opening of the World Cup on 26 October, an exhibition game was played between an Aboriginal selection and a New Zealand Māori side.[18]
Indigenous Dreamtime Team
editHead coach: Neil Henry
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhys Wesser | 1 | 8 | FB | Penrith Panthers
|
| Justin Carney | 1 | 4 | WG | Canberra Raiders
|
| Maurice Blair | 1 | 0 | CE | Penrith Panthers
|
| Jamal Idris | 1 | 0 | CE | Bulldogs RLFC
|
| Ty Williams | 1 | 0 | WG | North Queensland Cowboys
|
| Jamie Soward | 1 | 10 | FE | St George Illawarra Dragons
|
| Preston Campbell (capt) | 1 | 0 | HB | Gold Coast Titans
|
| Carl Webb | 1 | 0 | PR | North Queensland Cowboys
|
| Ian Lacey | 1 | 0 | HK | Ipswich Jets
|
| George Rose | 1 | 0 | PR | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
|
| Daine Laurie | 1 | 0 | SR | Wests Tigers
|
| Derrick Watkins | 1 | 0 | SR | Brisbane Broncos
|
| Dean Widders | 1 | 0 | LK | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Chris Sandow | 1 | 0 | HB | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Rod Jensen | 1 | 8 | UB | Huddersfield Giants
|
| Yileen Gordon | 1 | 4 | CE | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Peter Jensen | 1 | 0 | UB |  CRL
|
| Denis Moran | 0 | 0 | HB | Narwan Eels
|
New Zealand Māori
editHead coach: Luke Goodwin [19][20]
| Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx Goodwin | 1 | 4 | FB,WG | Canberra Raiders
|
| Jordan Rapana | 1 | 4 | WG | Gold Coast Titans
|
| Chase Stanley | 1 | 6 | CE | St George Illawarra Dragons
|
| Karl Johnson | 1 | 0 | CE |  Central Comets
|
| Shaun Kenny-Dowall | 1 | 4 | WG,CE | Sydney Roosters
|
| Arana Taumata | 1 | 4 | FE | Bulldogs RLFC
|
| Rangi Chase | 1 | 0 | HB,FE | St George Illawarra Dragons
|
| Weller Hauraki | 1 | 0 | PR | Parramatta Eels
|
| Ben Ellis (capt) | 1 | 0 | HK | St George Illawarra Dragons
|
| Sam McKendry | 1 | 4 | FR | Penrith Panthers
|
| Wairangi Koopu | 1 | 0 | S1 | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Craig Smith | 1 | 0 | S2 | Unattached |
| Lee Te Maari | 1 | 0 | LF,S1 | Bulldogs RLFC
|
| Charlie Herekotukutuku | 1 | 0 | FB,WG,HB | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Joseph Cahill | 1 | 0 | Sydney Roosters
| |
| Chance Bunce | 1 | 0 | Cronulla Sharks
| |
| James Tamou | 1 | 0 | HK | Sydney Roosters
|
| Kevin Proctor | 0 | 0 | SR | Melbourne Storm
|
Notes and references
editPositions
edit| Northern Hemisphere terms | Southern Hemisphere terms |
|---|---|
|
|
References
edit- ^ Two More Vodafone Warriors in World Cup Teams[permanent dead link] NZ Warriors, 8 October 2008.
- ^ Fiji, Ireland, Samoa, Scotland and Tonga sides Archived 11 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Official RLWC08 site, 8 October 2008.
- ^ skysports.com (9 November 2008). "Evergreen Gene bows out". Sky Sports. UK: BSkyB. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
- ^ Broncos duo join Kangaroos Archived 6 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine NRL Official Site, 16 October 2008
- ^ a b Tupou a Kangaroo again, replaces Crocker Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine NRL Official website, 9 October 2008
- ^ Geenty, Mark (22 October 2008). "League: Shattered Soliola out of World Cup". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ Tuimavave becomes Seventh Vodafone Warrior in Kiwis World Cup Squad[permanent dead link] NZ Warriors, 9 October 2008.
- ^ PNG will shock big guns, says Costigan Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine NRL Official site, 13 October 2008
- ^ Kumuls get Pidgin lesson Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine NRL Official site, 21 October 2008
- ^ "France name official squad". RLWC2008. 24 September 2008. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
- ^ Roberts, Chris (25 October 2008). "Scotland side for Rugby League of Nations has one home-bred Scot". Scottish Daily Record. Scotland. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
- ^ Paddy Coupar a true Braveheart Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine @ NRL Official Site, 17 October 2008
- ^ White withdraws from Ireland WCup squad Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine @ NRL Official website, 9 October 2008
- ^ Ireland seething over treatment @ NZ Herald, 14 October 2008.
- ^ Ireland suffer White injury blow @ BBC, 9 October 2008
- ^ Moimoi, Tuiaki cannot play for Tonga Archived 11 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine @ NRL Official website, 11 October 2008
- ^ Tonga welcome court ruling on NRL duo Archived 31 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine @ RLWC Official Website, 28 October 2008
- ^ Indigenous Dreamtime team named Archived 1 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine Official RLWC08 site, 11 October 2008.
- ^ NZ Maori name coaching staff for World Cup curtain raiser @ RL World Cup, 14 June 2008. Retrieved 24 June 2009. Archived 2009-07-23.
- ^ Maori side to play Indigenous[permanent dead link] @ RLWC08 Official Site, 22 October 2008.