2008 Rugby League World Cup squads
2008 | World Cup|
---|---|
Number of teams | 10 |
Host country |
![]() |
Winner |
![]() |
| |
Matches played | 18 |
Attendance | 293,965 (16,331 per match) |
Points scored | 890 (49.44 per match) |
Top scorer |
![]() |
Top try scorer |
![]() |
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.[3][4]
Pool A
Australia
Head Coach: Ricky Stuart
Assistant coaches: John Cartwright and Allan Langer[5]
1 Replaced originally selected Brett Stewart and Justin Hodges who withdrew on 16 October.[6]
2 Replaced originally selected Michael Crocker who withdrew due to injury on 9 October.[7]
.jpg)
England
Head Coach: Tony Smith /
Asst. coach: Steve McNamara
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jamie Peacock (capt) | 4 | 4 | PR | ![]() |
Rob Burrow | 4 | 22 | SH | ![]() |
Mark Calderwood | 3 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
Gareth Ellis | 4 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Maurie Fa'asavalu | 2 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Ade Gardner | 3 | 8 | WG | ![]() |
Martin Gleeson | 4 | 12 | CE | ![]() |
James Graham | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Mickey Higham | 2 | 4 | HK | ![]() |
Gareth Hock | 4 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Jamie Jones-Buchanan | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Jamie Langley | 1 | 0 | LF | ![]() |
Danny McGuire | 3 | 8 | FE | ![]() |
Adrian Morley | 4 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Leon Pryce | 3 | 0 | SO | ![]() |
Rob Purdham | 2 | 0 | LF | ![]() |
James Roby | 3 | 4 | HK | ![]() |
Keith Senior | 4 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Kevin Sinfield | 3 | 8 | LK | ![]() |
Lee Smith | 2 | 12 | WG | ![]() |
Paul Sykes | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Paul Wellens | 4 | 0 | FB | ![]() |
Ben Westwood | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Jon Wilkin | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
New Zealand
Head coach: Stephen Kearney
Asst. coach: Wayne Bennett
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nathan Cayless (capt) | 4 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Adam Blair | 5 | 8 | PR | ![]() |
Greg Eastwood | 5 | 4 | LK | ![]() |
David Fa'alogo | 4 | 4 | SR | ![]() |
Nathan Fien | 5 | 4 | UH | ![]() |
Dene Halatau | 1 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Bronson Harrison1 | 3 | 4 | SR | ![]() |
Lance Hohaia | 5 | 16 | UH | ![]() |
Krisnan Inu | 1 | 10 | UB | ![]() |
David Kidwell | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Thomas Leuluai | 5 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Issac Luke | 4 | 16 | HK | ![]() |
Simon Mannering | 5 | 8 | SR | ![]() |
Sika Manu | 4 | 4 | PR | ![]() |
Benji Marshall | 5 | 14 | FE | ![]() |
Steve Matai | 2 | 2 | CE | ![]() |
Jason Nightingale2 | 1 | 4 | WG | ![]() |
Sam Perrett | 4 | 12 | UB | ![]() |
Sam Rapira | 4 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Jerome Ropati | 5 | 16 | CE | ![]() |
Setaimata Sa | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Jeremy Smith | 5 | 12 | SR | ![]() |
Evarn Tuimavave2 | 1 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Manu Vatuvei | 5 | 16 | WG | ![]() |
1 Replaced originally named Iosia Soliola who withdrew due to injury on 21 October.[8]
2 Replaced originally named Brent Webb and Jeff Lima who withdrew due to injury on 7 October.[9]
.jpg)
Papua New Guinea
Head Coach: Adrian Lam [10][11]
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
John Wilshire (capt) | 3 | 10 | UB | ![]() |
David Moore | 3 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
George Keppa | 2 | 8 | WG | ![]() |
Stanley Gene | 3 | 0 | LK | ![]() |
Keith Peters | 3 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Charlie Wabo | 2 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Rodney Pora | 1 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
George Moni | 2 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Nickson Kolo | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Paul Aiton | 3 | 4 | HK | ![]() |
Jessie Joe Parker | 3 | 0 | FE | ![]() |
Makali Aizue | 2 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Trevor Exton | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Neville Costigan | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
James Nightingale | 3 | 0 | LK | ![]() |
Rod Griffin | 3 | 4 | LK | ![]() |
Larsen Marabe | 0 | 0 | FB | ![]() |
Kevin Prior | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Jay Aston | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Tu'u Maori | 3 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
Menzie Yere | 1 | 4 | FE | ![]() |
Jason Chan | 3 | 4 | CE | ![]() |
Nico Slain | 1 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Anton Kui | 1 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Pool B
Fiji
Head Coach: Joe Dakuitoga
France
Head Coach: John Monie
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jérôme Guisset (capt) | 3 | 12 | PR | ![]() |
Éric Anselme | 2 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Jean-Philippe Baile | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Jean-Christophe Borlin | 1 | 0 | FR | ![]() |
Thomas Bosc | 3 | 16 | FE | ![]() |
Laurent Carrasco | 2 | 0 | LK | ![]() |
Rémi Casty | 2 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Olivier Elima | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Jamal Fakir | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Adel Fellous | 2 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Maxime Grésèque | 2 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Mathieu Griffi | 1 | 0 | FR | ![]() |
Christophe Moly | 3 | 4 | UH/UB | ![]() |
Grégory Mounis | 3 | 0 | LK | ![]() |
Justin Murphy | 2 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
Dimitri Pelo | 2 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
Sébastien Planas | 1 | 4 | WG | ![]() |
Sébastien Raguin | 3 | 4 | SR | ![]() |
Julien Rinaldi | 1 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Teddy Sadaoui | 3 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Jared Taylor | 3 | 4 | FB | ![]() |
John Wilson | 3 | 8 | CE | ![]() |
James Wynne | 2 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Scotland
Except for Edinburgh Eagles stand-off Paddy Couper, all of the Scottish team's players were selected under the grandparent rule.[12]
Head Coach: Steve McCormack
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Danny Brough (capt) | 2 | 12 | HB | ![]() |
Chris Armit | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Dean Colton | 1 | 4 | WG | ![]() |
Paddy Coupar[13] | 1 | 0 | HB/CE | ![]() |
Gavin Cowan | 2 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
John Duffy | 3 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Ben Fisher | 2 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Andrew Henderson | 3 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Ian Henderson | 3 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Kevin Henderson | 3 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Jack Howieson | 1 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Paul Jackson | 2 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Wade Liddell | 2 | 0 | FB | ![]() |
Scott Logan | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Neil Lowe | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Dave McConnell | 1 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Duncan MacGillivray | 2 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Iain Morrison | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Gareth Morton | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Mick Nanyn | 3 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Lee Paterson | 1 | 0 | FE | ![]() |
Michael Robertson | 3 | 4 | WG | ![]() |
Jon Steel | 2 | 8 | WG | ![]() |
Oliver Wilkes | 3 | 8 | PR | ![]() |
Pool C
Ireland
Head Coach: Andy Kelly
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Scott Grix (capt) | 3 | 4 | FB | ![]() |
Ross Barbour | 0 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Bob Beswick | 3 | 0 | LK | ![]() |
Damien Blanch | 3 | 20 | WG | ![]() |
Mick Cassidy | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Ged Corcoran | 1 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Lee Doran | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Liam Finn | 3 | 4 | HB | ![]() |
Simon Finnigan | 3 | 4 | SR | ![]() |
Karl Fitzpatrick | 3 | 0 | FB | ![]() |
Stevie Gibbons | 0 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
Sean Gleeson | 3 | 4 | CE | ![]() |
Brendan Guilfoyle | 0 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Gareth Haggerty | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Ben Harrison | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Graham Holroyd | 0 | 0 | FE | ![]() |
Wayne Kerr | 1 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Stuart Littler | 3 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Michael McIllorum | 3 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Shayne McMenemy | 0 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Eamon O'Carroll | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Michael Platt | 3 | 4 | FB | ![]() |
Pat Richards | 3 | 28 | WG | ![]() |
Ryan Tandy | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
- Brett White was originally named but withdrew due to injury on 9 October. He was replaced by Brendan Guilfoyle.[14]
- Shannon McDonnell has also withdrawn due to injury. He was replaced by Shayne McMenemy.[15][16]
Samoa
Head Coach: John Ackland
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nigel Vagana (capt) | 2 | 8 | CE | ![]() |
George Carmont | 3 | 8 | WG/CE | ![]() |
David Faiumu | 0 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Harrison Hansen | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Ali Lauitiiti | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Tuaalagi Lepupa | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
Kylie Leuluai | 2 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Wayne McDade | 2 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Francis Meli | 3 | 8 | WG | ![]() |
Joseph Paulo | 3 | 4 | SR/FE | ![]() |
Frank Puletua | 3 | 4 | PR | ![]() |
Tony Puletua | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Ben Roberts | 3 | 18 | HB/FE | ![]() |
Tangi Ropati | 1 | 0 | FB | ![]() |
Smith Samau | 3 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
Lagi Setu | 2 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Terrence Seu Seu | 3 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
David Solomona | 2 | 4 | SR | ![]() |
Willie Talau | 2 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Alby Talipeau | 2 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Misi Taulapapa | 2 | 8 | WG | ![]() |
Ben Te'o | 1 | 8 | SR | ![]() |
Tupu Ulufale | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
Matt Utai | 3 | 8 | WG | ![]() |
Tonga
Head Coach: Jim Dymock
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lopini Paea (capt) | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Andrew Emelio | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Richard Fa'aoso | 2 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Awen Guttenbeil | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Michael Jennings | 3 | 12 | CE | ![]() |
Antonio Kaufusi | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Toshio Laiseni | 1 | 0 | FB | ![]() |
Taniela Lasalo | 0 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
Epalahame Lauaki | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Tevita Leo-Latu | 3 | 4 | HK | ![]() |
Willie Manu | 3 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Manase Manuokafoa | 2 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Feleti Mateo | 3 | 4 | SR | ![]() |
Sam Moa | 3 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Eddie Paea | 2 | 6 | HB | ![]() |
Mickey Paea | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Fetuli Talanoa | 3 | 4 | WG | ![]() |
Joel Taufa'ao | 1 | 4 | HB | ![]() |
Esikeli Tonga | 2 | 4 | FB | ![]() |
Etuate Uaisele | 3 | 8 | WG | ![]() |
Kim Uasi | 2 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Cooper Vuna | 3 | 12 | WG | ![]() |
Tony Williams | 3 | 24 | WG | ![]() |
- 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.[17][18]
- 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.[7]
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.[19]
Indigenous Dreamtime Team
Head Coach: Neil Henry
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rhys Wesser | 1 | 8 | FB | ![]() |
Justin Carney | 1 | 4 | WG | ![]() |
Maurice Blair | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Jamal Idris | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Ty Williams | 1 | 0 | WG | ![]() |
Jamie Soward | 1 | 10 | FE | ![]() |
Preston Campbell (capt) | 1 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Carl Webb | 1 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Ian Lacey | 1 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
George Rose | 1 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Daine Laurie | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Derrick Watkins | 1 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Dean Widders | 1 | 0 | LK | ![]() |
Chris Sandow | 1 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
Rod Jensen | 1 | 8 | UB | ![]() |
Yileen Gordon | 1 | 4 | CE | ![]() |
Peter Jensen | 1 | 0 | UB | ![]() |
Denis Moran | 0 | 0 | HB | ![]() |
New Zealand Māori
Head Coach: Luke Goodwin [20][21]
Player | Games | Points | Position | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bronx Goodwin | 1 | 4 | FB,WG | ![]() |
Jordan Rapana | 1 | 4 | WG | ![]() |
Chase Stanley | 1 | 6 | CE | ![]() |
Karl Johnson | 1 | 0 | CE | ![]() |
Shaun Kenny-Dowall | 1 | 4 | WG,CE | ![]() |
Arana Taumata | 1 | 4 | FE | ![]() |
Rangi Chase | 1 | 0 | HB,FE | ![]() |
Weller Hauraki | 1 | 0 | PR | ![]() |
Ben Ellis (capt) | 1 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Sam McKendry | 1 | 4 | FR | ![]() |
Wairangi Koopu | 1 | 0 | S1 | ![]() |
Craig Smith | 1 | 0 | S2 | Unattached |
Lee Te Maari | 1 | 0 | LF,S1 | ![]() |
Charlie Herekotukutuku | 1 | 0 | FB,WG,HB | ![]() |
Joseph Cahill | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
Chance Bunce | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
James Tamou | 1 | 0 | HK | ![]() |
Kevin Proctor | 0 | 0 | SR | ![]() |
Notes and references
Positions
Northern Hemisphere terms | Southern Hemisphere terms |
---|---|
|
|
References
- ↑ Top point scorer
- ↑ Top try scorers
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ skysports.com (9 November 2008). "Evergreen Gene bows out". Sky Sports. UK: BSkyB. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
- ↑ Broncos duo join Kangaroos @ NRL Official Site, 16 Oct 2008
- 1 2 Tupou a Kangaroo again, replaces Crocker @ NRL Official website, 9 Oct 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 @ NRL Official site, 13 Oct 2008
- ↑ Kumuls get Pidgin lesson @ NRL Official site, 21 Oct 2008
- ↑ Roberts, Chris (2008-10-25). "Scotland side for Rugby League of Nations has one home-bred Scot". Scottish Daily Record. dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ↑ Paddy Coupar a true Braveheart @ NRL Official Site, 17 Oct 2008
- ↑ White withdraws from Ireland WCup squad @ NRL Official website, 9 Oct 2008
- ↑ Ireland seething over treatment @ NZ Herald, 14 Oct 2008.
- ↑ Ireland suffer White injury blow @ BBC, 9 October 2008
- ↑ Moimoi, Tuiaki cannot play for Tonga @ NRL Official website, 11 Oct 2008
- ↑ Tonga welcome court ruling on NRL duo @ RLWC Official Website, 28 October 2008
- ↑ Indigenous Dreamtime team named @ Official RLWC08 site, 11 October 2008.
- ↑ NZ Maori name coaching staff for World Cup curtain raiser @ RL World Cup, 14 June 2008. Accessed 2009-06-24. Archived 2009-07-23.
- ↑ Maori side to play Indigenous @ RLWC08 Official Site, 22 October 2008.