RLWC snapshot: Contenders’ best 17s & threat rating

The Rugby League World Cup is back, but not like we’ve ever seen it. With talent now more dispersed, let’s assess the contenders and their strongest lineups in our tournament Major Guide.

The sixteenth running of the Rugby League World Cup kicks off in England this weekend. Fittingly, sixteen nations are competing. 

While only a handful are a serious chance of victory, the talent pool is slowly trickling outward with many ‘minnows’ naming their strongest squads to date.

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The group stages will provide passionate encounters, likely a few upsets and of course some blowouts. But it’ll all be interesting. Eight teams will then progress to the finals stage; shaping as one of the closest World Cup races in some time.

Let’s go over which nations are in the mix, what their best 17 looks like, plus their contender rating.

1 – Australia

Best 17 – 1. James Tedesco, 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 9. Ben Hunt, 10. Patrick Carrigan, 11. Cameron Murray, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Harry Grant, 15. Reuben Cotter, 16. Liam Martin, 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

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Beware a champion with a point to prove. The Kangaroos have not played a Test in three years, slipping to a dubious fourth in the world rankings as a result. Nothing short of a World Cup victory will be accepted by Australia and its fans. 

With no recent incumbency bias polluting selection, Mal Meninga chose a squad with a distinct 2022 flavour. It showcases an unprecedented mix of experience and youth – the latter highlighted by a possible 13 debutants. It is littered with stars who illuminated the NRL this season and remains the most talented and balanced of any nation. 

If the Aussies click, which they should, it’s tough to see them being denied their twelfth World Cup crown. 

2 – New Zealand

Best 17 – 1. Joseph Manu; 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak; 3. Peta Hiku; 4. Jordan Rapana; 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo; 6. Dylan Brown; 7. Jahrome Hughes; 8. Jesse Bromwich; 9. Brandon Smith; 10. James Fisher-Harris; 11. Isaiah Papali’i; 12. Kenny Bromwich; 13. Joseph Tapine; 14. Kieran Foran; 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona; 16. Moses Leota; 17. Briton Nikora 

Is this the best Kiwi side ever assembled? 

Even their successful teams of bygone eras had an underwhelming selection or two, but the balance, depth and class at Michael Maguire’s disposal for this World Cup is next level; most notably his middles. New Zealand’s batch of big boys are the best in the world and Madge’s game plan will appropriately centre around them. Their rotation is so strong, Dally M Prop of the Year Joe Tapine will likely start at lock and seasoned enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be fortunate to force his way into the lineup once his suspension is served. 

The Kiwis should comfortably top Group C, courtesy of an extremely soft draw. It would probably set up a revenge clash with Fiji in the Quarter-Finals, who upset them at the same stage of the 2017 World Cup. Don’t expect this to happen again though; this Kiwi side is too good and has too much to play for. 

3 – England

Best 17 – 1. Sam Tomkins; 2. Dom Young; 3. Herbie Farnworth; 4. Kallum Watkins; 5. Tommy Makinson; 6. George Williams; 7. Marc Sneyd; 8. Tom Burgess; 9. Andy Ackers; 10. Luke Thompson; 11. John Bateman; 12. Elliott Whitehead; 13. Victor Radley; 14. Michael McIlorum; 15. Mike Cooper; 16. Joe Batchelor; 17. Chris Hill

Home ground advantage is on their side. But to claim their first World Cup as a solo nation, England will need to break their Tier One hoodoo. In their past 10 World Cup clashes against fellow Tier One nations Australia and New Zealand, they have lost all 10 and averaged just 10.8 points in attack. 

Mentally they have demons to overcome, but physically they do not; their squad is filled with world class forwards, in-form playmakers and exciting outside backs. They have all the tools to go one better than their runner-up finish in 2017. 

Their first hit out in the tournament opener against Samoa is the perfect opportunity to defeat a difficult opponent and set the tone for the title tilt. The swell of English support will rise and generate vital energy and momentum for them to feed off.   

4 – Samoa

Best 17 – 1. Joseph Suaalii; 2. Taylan May; 3. Stephen Crichton; 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow; 5. Brian To’o; 6. Jarome Luai; 7. Anthony Milford; 8. Josh Papalii; 9. Fa’amanu Brown; 10. Junior Paulo; 11. Izack Tago; 12. Jaydn Su’a; 13. Josh Aloiai; 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita; 15. Spencer Leniu; 16. Martin Taupau; 17. Kelma Tuilagi

The time has come for Samoan Rugby League to make their mark on the world stage. Toa Samoa have never progressed past the Quarter-Finals of a World Cup – but they’ve never boasted a squad this lethal. Thanks to the much publicised pledgings of some of the game’s brightest stars, they finally have the quality and depth to match it with the big players; over half their squad has Premiership-winning, State of Origin or Tier One Test experience. An upset in the aforementioned tournament opener could ignite an unprecedented charge deep into the knockout stages, with history created in the process. 

5 – Tonga

Best 17 – 1. William Hopoate; 2. Daniel Tupou; 3. Siosifa Talakai; 4. Will Penisini; 5. Sione Katoa; 6. Tuimoala Lolohea; 7. Talatau Amone; 8. Addin Fonua-Blake; 9. Siliva Havili; 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho; 11. David Fifita; 12. Felise Kaufusi; 13. Jason Taumalolo; 14. Soni Luke; 15. Haumole Olakau’atu; 16. Tevita Tatola; 17. Keaon Koloamatangi

How will Tonga handle their newfound pressure of expectation? The 2017 World Cup was a coming of age for the Pacific Island heavyweights; defeating Scotland, Samoa, New Zealand and Lebanon, before narrowly falling short of a World Cup Final. England won their Semi-Final showdown. They naturally have a side brimming with athletic prowess, but must overcome spiritual leader Jason Taumalolo’s suspension for the group stage. A lack of class in key positions could prove their achilles heel. Young Dragons prospect Talatau Amone, who finished the NRL season so strongly, has to take ownership of the team. 

6 – Papua New Guinea

Best 17 – 1. Xavier Coates; 2. Alex Johnston; 3. Justin Olam; 4. Nene Macdonald; 5. Edene Gebbie; 6. Kyle Laybutt; 7. Lachlan Lam; 8. Wellington Albert; 9. Edwin Ipape; 10. Sylvester Namo; 11. Rhyse Martin; 12. Nixon Putt; 13. Jacob Alick; 14. Wesser Tenza; 15. Daniel Russell; 16. Keven Appo; 17. Mckenzie Yei

The Kumuls always punch above their weight; now armed with their most accomplished squad in terms of NRL and Super League experience. They’re set to cause plenty of headaches again.

Stanley Tepend may play it safe by naming Alex Johnston at fullback,  but now is the time to unleash Xavier Coates. The Storm phenom was scintillating on the wing this season, boasting all the physical attributes of a game-breaking number one. 

If PNG are to advance past the Quarter-Finals for the first time, they need his literal X-factor at the back. Being second seed behind Tonga in Group D could play right into their hands; they’re undefeated against them in seven Tests. An upset over their more-fancied rivals to open the World Cup could set-up a soft Quarter-Final clash; a golden opportunity.

7 – Fiji

Best 17 – 1. Sunia Turuva; 2. Mikaele Ravalawa; 3. Isaac Lumelume; 4. Semi Valemei; 5. Maika Sivo; 6. Kevin Naiqama; 7. Brandon Wakeham; 8. Tui Kamikamica; 9. Apisai Koroisau; 10. King Vuniyayawa; 11. Viliame Kikau; 12. Josh Wong; 13. Lamar Manuel-Liolevave; 14. Pio Seci; 15. Ben Nakubuwai; 16. Kaylen Miller; 17. Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu

Fiji Bati are perennial World Cup overachievers and deserve more plaudits for their impressive record of three consecutive Semi-Final appearances from 2008. Perhaps their achievements have been largely wiped from memory due to their eye-watering losses to Australia in all three semis by an aggregate of 170-6. Nevertheless, they always pack a punch. The squad is littered with skillfully robust specimens and 2022 is no different. If the likes of Villiame Kikau and Tui Kamikamica can inspire their pack to lay a platform, crafty rake Api Koroisau and their frightfully dangerous back five will cause plenty of damage. 

Fiji begins their Cup against their dreaded Kangaroo rivals. But if they hold their own and grind out a respectable performance to gain confidence and credibility, another successful campaign isn’t out of the question.

8 – Lebanon

Best 17 – 1. Jacob Kiraz; 2. Josh Mansour; 3. Reece Robinson; 4. Brandon Morkos; 5. Abbas Miski; 6. Adam Doueihi; 7. Mitchell Moses; 8. Hanna El-Nachar; 9. Mikey Tannous; 10. James Roumanous; 11. Elie El-Zakhem; 12. Jaxson Rahme; 13. Kayne Kalache; 14. Khaled Rajab; 15. Josh Maree; 16. Charbel Tasipale; 17. Toufic El-Hajj

Can Lebanon replicate their spirited run from the 2017 World Cup? In what was their first appearance at a World Cup in 22 years, the Cedars won admiration by defeating France and producing gallant displays against England and Australia. Lebanon then narrowly lost to Tonga in the Quarter-Finals. 

Mitch Moses was instrumental in that campaign on his way to Five-Eighth of the Tournament honours, and must deliver again if they are to make an impression. They have quality in their backline and a class of youthful lower-grade talent in their pack, who will look to push for NRL selection by impressing here. 

While not expected to seriously trouble the top nations, another Quarter-Final berth is in the equation if they take care of Jamaica and Ireland in the group stage.