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.

Pool A

Australia

Head coach: Ricky Stuart <br /> Assistant coaches: John Cartwright and Allan Langer

¹ Replaced originally selected Brett Stewart and Justin Hodges who withdrew on 16 October.

² Replaced originally selected Michael Crocker who withdrew due to injury on 9 October.

England

Head coach: Tony Smith /<br /><small>Assistant coach: Steve McNamara</small>

New Zealand

Head coach: Stephen Kearney <br /><small>Assistant coach: Wayne Bennett </small>

¹ Replaced originally named Iosia Soliola who withdrew due to injury on 21 October.

² Replaced originally named Brent Webb and Jeff Lima who withdrew due to injury on 7 October.

Papua New Guinea

Head coach: Adrian Lam

Pool B

Fiji

Head coach: Joe Dakuitoga

France

Head coach: John Monie

Scotland

Except for Edinburgh Eagles stand-off Paddy Couper, all of the Scottish team's players were selected under the grandparent rule.

Head coach: Steve McCormack

Pool C

Ireland

Head coach: Andy Kelly

• Brett White was originally named but withdrew due to injury on 9 October. He was replaced by Brendan Guilfoyle.
• Shannon McDonnell has also withdrawn due to injury. He was replaced by Shayne McMenemy.

Samoa

Head coach: John Ackland

Tonga

Head coach: Jim Dymock

• 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.
• 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.

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.

Indigenous Dreamtime Team

Head coach: Neil Henry

New Zealand Māori

Head coach: Luke Goodwin

Notes and references

Positions

References

External links

• "World Cup team guide" at The Guardian