2008 Rugby League World Cup squads
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
Australia
Head coach: Ricky Stuart .svg.png.webp){kind=small}
Assistant coaches: John Cartwright and Allan Langer[3]
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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
Head 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
Head coach: Stephen Kearney 
Assistant coach: Wayne Bennett
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| 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
Head 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
Fiji
Head coach: Joe Dakuitoga 
France
Head coach: John Monie
| 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 |  Toulouse Olympique |
| 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 |  Widnes Vikings |
| Maxime Grésèque | 2 | 0 | HB |  Wakefield Trinity Wildcats |
| 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 | Toulouse Olympique |
Scotland
Except for Edinburgh Eagles stand-off Paddy Couper, all of the Scottish team's players were selected under the grandparent rule.[10]
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[11] | 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
Ireland
Head 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.[12]
- Shannon McDonnell has also withdrawn due to injury. He was replaced by Shayne McMenemy.[13][14]
Samoa
Head 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
Head 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.[15][16]
- 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
As 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.[17]
Indigenous Dreamtime Team
Head 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
Head coach: Luke Goodwin [18][19]
| 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
Positions
| Northern Hemisphere terms | Southern Hemisphere terms |
|---|---|
|
|
References
- Two More Vodafone Warriors in World Cup Teams 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
- 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 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
- 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 @ RLWC08 Official Site, 22 October 2008.
External links
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