Rugby League World Cup preview: Teams, groups, predictions and more
THE Rugby League World Cup kicks off tomorrow and Express Sport has previewed all the countries taking part.
The Rugby League World Cup begins tomorrow
THE top three teams from Pool A and Pool B go through to the quarter finals. Only winners of Pool C and Pool D progress. Teams in Pool C and Pool D play one cross-group game to ensure all teams play three games.
Rugby League World Cup preview: Teams, groups, predictions and more
POOL A
ENGLAND
Coach - Wayne Bennett
Star Man - Sam Burgess
Ranking - 3
Prediction - beaten finalists
England are at virtual full strength with a pack and half backs that will put the wind up opponents.
But expect them to lose tomorrow against Australia and then meet them again in the final.
AUSTRALIA
Coach - Mal Meninga
Star Man - Cameron Smith
Ranking - 1
Prediction - winners
THE team that everyone looks up to and rightly so with a spine of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.
They are missing superstar Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston but are still expected to dominate - yet again.
FRANCE
Coach - Aurelien Cologni
Star Man - Theo Fages
Ranking - 6
Prediction - could struggle.
Don't look strong enough and may even lose to Lebanon in their opening game.
A lot rests on young St Helens star Fages to prevent this becoming a second successive disastrous World Cup.
LEBANON
Coach - Freddie Fittler
Star Man - Robbie Farah
Ranking - 21
Prediction - will be happy if they beat France
Have just one home based player in their squad in Raymond Sabat.
But they've got some big name players, non more so than Robbie Farah.
Wayne Bennett's England take on Australia tomorrow
POOL B
NEW ZEALAND
Coach - David Kidwell
Star Man - Shaun Johnson
Ranking - 2
Prediction - will go out at the semi-final stage
Kiwis were dealt a huge blow by Jason Taumalolo's defection to Tonga and several other key stars missing.
They need to win to avoid Australia in the semis but the turmoil in their build-up might hit them hard.
SCOTLAND
Coach - Steve McCormack
Star Man - Danny Brough
Ranking - 4
Prediction - Will wilt in the group of death
Their ranking of fourth in the world will look laughable after finding themselves in a horror group.
McCormack is the game's longest serving international coach but this could get messy.
TONGA
Coach - Kristian Woolf
Star Man - Jason Taumalolo
Ranking - 11
Prediction - Semi final at least
Big, powerful and very scary, this Tongan team could wreak havoc over the next few weeks.
The only thing they're missing is a half back general and that could be their undoing.
SAMOA
Coach - Matt Parish
Star Man - Joseph Papali
Ranking - 5
Prediction - Third in pool
Another team of monsters but another team with weaknesses in the halves.
Their success could depend on how well Castleford stand off Ben Roberts plays
POOL C
WALES
Coach - John Kear
Star Man - Morgan Knowles
Ranking - 9
Prediction - Will struggle to get out of group
Not many stars in this squad but coach John Kear is famed for his powers of motivation.
They're also driven on by the chance of playing England in the quarter finals.
IRELAND
Coach - Mark Aston
Star Man - Micky McIlorum
Ranking - 7
Prediction - Possible quarter finals
Aston has assembled a handy group, littered with impressive Super League talent.
But whether they have enough strike power to score enough points is debatable.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Coach - Michael Marum
Star Man - James Segeyaro
Ranking - 15
Prediction - Possible quarter finals
All three group games will be played in Port Moresby and that's a massive advantage.
Rugby league is god there so the Kumuls could be swept along on a wave of fanaticism to a quarter final with England.
Huge brawl erupts in rugby league game between Swinton and Leigh
POOL D
FIJI
Coach - Mick Potter
Star Man - Jarryd Hayne
Ranking - 8
Prediction - group winners
Who couldn't love a team that holds a communal prayer before unleashing all hell on their opponents.
The Bati are big and powerful, with enough NRL stars to make them a decent threat in the tournament.
USA
Coach - Brian McDermott
Star Man - Eddy Pettybourne
Ranking - 10
Prediction - Won't win a game
Five survivors from their 2013 World Cup squad that shocked everyone by reaching the quarter-finals.
But they've too many home-grown players to trouble anyone this time.
ITALY
Coach - Cameron Ciraldo
Star Man - James Tedesco
Ranking - 14
Prediction - Out after group stage
Should beat Ireland and USA but will come unstuck against Fiji.
Hull forward Mark Minichiello will lead whole-heartedly but not enough talent in the squad.