The Rugby League World Cup promises to deliver the most competitive and entertaining tournament ever. And several key group stage clashes look simply mouthwatering.
With an unprecedented amount of talent spread across the competing nations, the 2022 World Cup is shaping up as a monumental tournament for rugby league.
Australia enter as the heavy favourites to retain their crown, but are closely followed by New Zealand.
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Samoa enter this tournament with plenty of hope, considering the amount of NRL stars it has at its disposal.
Tonga’s dominant forward pack will look to make plenty of noise against the heavyweights, as hosts England look to win its first crown since Great Britain’s victory in 1960.
The Opener: England vs Samoa
Sunday 16th October, 12:30am AEDT
The first game of the tournament has plenty of hype around it and for good reason. The hosts will face a resurgent Samoa side eager to stake their claim as the best team in the tournament.
England will debut Australian-born Roosters gun Victor Radley, alongside former NRL stars George Williams and Luke Bateman.
The hosts are currently ranked as the second best side in the world and will be spurred on by a packed home crowd at St James’ Park.
England enter this game as the outsiders, but do hold one massive advantage over their opponents; consistency within the squad.
Although a few of the Samoan players have played together at club and state level, this English side remains relatively untouched from their last international game; the home ground advantage can’t be understated.
The battle of the forwards will be critical in this match; the likes of Thomas Burgess, Luke Bateman and Elliot Whitehead are set to do battle with Junior Paulo, Jayden Su’A and Josh Papali’i.
Samoa are stacked full of NRL stars, but lack depth in the spine which threatens to be where the outfit falls short. Danny Levi will step into the nine jersey, with Anthony Milford the presumptive halfback.
Other than these two positions, Samoa can easily go toe-to-toe with any team in the tournament and will have the confidence that they can win the whole thing.
This fixture will be massive for both sides to judge where their players are at and whether they’re Grand Final contenders.
Lebanon vs New Zealand
Monday 17th October 5:30am AEDT
It’s a David v Goliath clash, as New Zealand look to hold off what is an exciting Lebanon lineup.
‘David’ impressed many back in 2017 at the last World Cup, holding high hopes of a repeat this time around.
Mitchell Moses and Adam Doeuihi will lead a side full of young NRL players in their first game against the favoured Kiwi side.
Up and coming Bulldogs’ back Jacob Kiraz linking up with NRL veteran Josh Mansour is some of the strike power in the Lebanese fold.
Lebanon’s on-field chemistry and unity will give them an advantage, but they will need to be at their best to be in for a chance.
New Zealand will be looking to make a statement in their first game against the only side possible of troubling them in their group.
The Kiwi’s have one of the most talented sides in their history; arguably the best squad in the tournament.
Joey Manu looks poised to have a massive tournament at fullback, as does his soon-to-be teammate Brandon Smith.
The Kiwis biggest strength looks to be the halves combination of Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown, who both staked their claims for being the best players in their respective positions during the NRL season.
New Zealand’s experienced forward pack is among the best we’ve ever seen and should set the tone early, hoping to dominate the younger Lebanese forwards.
The number one ranked side in the world are heavy favourites to win for a reason. They will expect nothing more than a convincing victory in this clash.
Australia v Fiji
Sunday 16th October 5:30am AEDT
The tournament favourites and reigning champions Australia have a point to prove as they open their tournament against Fiji.
The Kangaroos will have a chip on their shoulder to prove that they are still the dominant powerhouse in the world of rugby league.
Mal Meninga has selected 13 debutants in his side and possesses many of the core from the Panthers’ premiership winning side.
The Aussie’s are stacked in every position and will look to shut down the dangerous backline of Fiji early to secure the win.
Fiji could very well surprise a few people this tournament but will have to start off on a positive note in this game.
Although Fiji will likely not be intimidated by the star-studded Kangaroos, they do lack the NRL experience that their opponents possess.
Api Koroisau, Villiame Kikau and Reagan Campbell-Gillard headline the Fijian side, but there is plenty more depth with the brotherly duos of Tariq and Korbin Sims, alongside the Saifiti brothers, Jacob and Daniel.
Fiji do lack strength in the halves, but that is sure to be made up by some of the biggest enforcers in the game.
Australia will have to remain level-headed and play conservative against a Fiji side that may well come out all guns blazing.
Papua New Guinea V Tonga
Wednesday 19th October 5:30am AEDT
The final must-see match-up of the group stage sees two of the toughest sides face off as Papua New Guinea look to cause an upset against Tonga.
The Tongan side have been on a rollercoaster ride of form, after beating Australia in 2019, they went down convincingly to New Zealand during the midst of 2022.
Tonga will be down a crucial player in the group stage as Jason Taumolo serves a three-game suspension.
On paper, this Tongan side looks like the real deal, with a mountain of depth in the forward pack combined with some of the hardest-hitting backs in the game.
Although Tonga present a much more talented side than its opponents, Papua New Guinea are never underlooked and notorious for some body crunching tackles.
Legends of the game who have played PNG at a World Cup have stated their players are the hardest hitters in the world and their bodies are altered after match-ups with them.
The Kumuls don’t have as many recognisable names as the Tongan side do, but boast two of the best wingers in the world with Xavier Coates and Alex Johnston.
PNG will not make this game easy for Tonga and will likely have another crack at making noise at the knockout stages of the tournament.
