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)
 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
Head coach: Tony Smith .svg.png) /
/
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 .svg.png) 
 
.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
Head coach: Adrian Lam  [8][9]
[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 .svg.png) [10]
[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
Except 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
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.[13]
- Shannon McDonnell has also withdrawn due to injury. He was replaced by Shayne McMenemy.[14][15]
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 .svg.png) 
 
| 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
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.[18]
Indigenous Dreamtime Team
Head coach: Neil Henry .svg.png) 
 
| 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  [19][20]
[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
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
- ^ 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 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 @ RLWC08 Official Site, 22 October 2008.