2008 Rugby League World Cup squads


The 2008 Rugby League World Cup featured the national teams of ten nations: Australia, England, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, France, Scotland, Ireland, Samoa, and Tonga.

Pool A

Australia

Head coach: Ricky Stuart

Assistant coaches: John Cartwright and Allan Langer
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Darren Lockyer 48FE Brisbane Broncos
Darius Boyd110WG Brisbane Broncos
Terry Campese10FE Canberra Raiders
Petero Civoniceva40PR Penrith Panthers
Craig Fitzgibbon30SR Sydney Roosters
Israel Folau58CE Melbourne Storm
Paul Gallen54SR Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Kurt Gidley10UB Newcastle Knights
Karmichael Hunt130FB Brisbane Broncos
Greg Inglis424UB Melbourne Storm
Brent Kite50PR Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Anthony Laffranchi48SR Gold Coast Titans
Joel Monaghan516CE Canberra Raiders
Josh Perry30PR Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Steve Price40PR New Zealand Warriors
Scott Prince224HB Gold Coast Titans
Billy Slater428FB Melbourne Storm
Cameron Smith52HK Melbourne Storm
Glenn Stewart40SR Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Brent Tate48CE New Zealand Warriors
Johnathan Thurston450HB North Queensland Cowboys
Anthony Tupou254SR Sydney Roosters
Anthony Watmough20SR Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
David Williams216WG Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

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 /
Assistant coach: Steve McNamara
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Jamie Peacock 44PR Leeds Rhinos
Rob Burrow422SH Leeds Rhinos
Mark Calderwood30WG Wigan Warriors
Gareth Ellis40SR Leeds Rhinos
Maurie Fa'asavalu20PR St. Helens
Ade Gardner38WG St. Helens
Martin Gleeson412CE Warrington Wolves
James Graham30PR St. Helens
Mickey Higham24HK Warrington Wolves
Gareth Hock40SR Wigan Warriors
Jamie Jones-Buchanan10SR Leeds Rhinos
Jamie Langley10LF Bradford Bulls
Danny McGuire38FE Leeds Rhinos
Adrian Morley40PR Warrington Wolves
Leon Pryce30SO St. Helens
Rob Purdham20LF Harlequins RL
James Roby34HK St. Helens
Keith Senior40CE Leeds Rhinos
Kevin Sinfield38LK Leeds Rhinos
Lee Smith212WG Leeds Rhinos
Paul Sykes10CE Bradford Bulls
Paul Wellens40FB St. Helens
Ben Westwood10SR Warrington Wolves
Jon Wilkin30SR St. Helens

New Zealand

Head coach: Stephen Kearney
Assistant coach: Wayne Bennett
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Nathan Cayless 40PR Parramatta Eels
Adam Blair58PR Melbourne Storm
Greg Eastwood54LK Brisbane Broncos
David Fa'alogo44SR South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nathan Fien54UH New Zealand Warriors
Dene Halatau10HK Wests Tigers
Bronson Harrison134SR Wests Tigers
Lance Hohaia516UH New Zealand Warriors
Krisnan Inu110UB Parramatta Eels
David Kidwell10SR South Sydney Rabbitohs
Thomas Leuluai50HB Wigan Warriors
Issac Luke416HK South Sydney Rabbitohs
Simon Mannering58SR New Zealand Warriors
Sika Manu44PR Melbourne Storm
Benji Marshall514FE Wests Tigers
Steve Matai22CE Manly Sea Eagles
Jason Nightingale214WG St. George Illawarra Dragons
Sam Perrett412UB Sydney Roosters
Sam Rapira40PR New Zealand Warriors
Jerome Ropati516CE New Zealand Warriors
Setaimata Sa10CE Sydney Roosters
Jeremy Smith512SR Melbourne Storm
Evarn Tuimavave210PR New Zealand Warriors
Manu Vatuvei516WG New Zealand Warriors

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
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
John Wilshire 310UB Salford City Reds
David Moore30WG Gold Coast Titans
George Keppa28WG Norths Devils
Stanley Gene30LK Hull Kingston Rovers
Keith Peters30HB Penrith Panthers
Charlie Wabo20PR MMabey & Johnson Muruks
Rodney Pora10PR Mabey & Johnson Muruks
George Moni20SR MMabey & Johnson Muruks
Nickson Kolo10CE Masta Mark City Rangers
Paul Aiton34HK Penrith Panthers
Jessie Joe Parker30FE Masta Mark City Rangers
Makali Aizue20PR Hull Kingston Rovers
Trevor Exton30SR Ipswich Jets
Neville Costigan30SR Canberra Raiders
James Nightingale30LK Penrith Panthers
Rod Griffin34LK Northern Pride
Larsen Marabe00FB Agmark Gurias
Kevin Prior10CE Wentworthville Magpies
Jay Aston10SR Melbourne Storm
Tu'u Maori30WG Sydney Roosters
Menzie Yere14FE Agmark Gurias
Jason Chan34CE Windsor Wolves
Nico Slain10HK Bintangor Lahanis
Anton Kui10HB Bingtangor Lahanis

Pool B

Fiji

Head coach: Joe Dakuitoga
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Wes Naiqama 432WG Newcastle Knights
Nick Bradley-Qalilawa40WG Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Jayson Bukuya48CE Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Iowane Divavesi24PR Terrigal Sharks
Aaron Groom40HB Bulldogs RLFC
Jarryd Hayne412FB/WG/FE Parramatta Eels
Sevania Koroi40CE/LK Western Suburbs Magpies
Josua Koroibulu00 Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs
Jone Macilai10CE/FB/WG Fassifern RLFC
Daryl Millard30CE Bulldogs RLFC
Vula Louis Dakuitoga Naqau00 Terrigal Sharks
Kaliova Nauqe20 Fassifern RLFC
Alipate Noilea30FE Parkes Spacemen
Josateki Ravueta Sawtell Panthers
Osea Sadrau40PR Fassifern RLFC
Ashton Sims40PR Brisbane Broncos
James Storer30 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Nemani Suguturaga00 Nabua Broncos
Waisale Sukanaveita40HK Terrigal Sharks
Semi Tadulala48WG Bradford Bulls
Semisi Tora44LK Parkes Spacemen
Malakai Yalimaiwai Tuiloa Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs
Akuila Uate420WG Newcastle Knights
Ilisoni Vonomateiratu40PR Lautoka Crushers
Jone Wesele20 Darlington Point

France

Head coach: John Monie
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Jérôme Guisset 312PR Catalans Dragons
Éric Anselme20CE Leeds Rhinos
Jean-Philippe Baile10CE Catalans Dragons
Jean-Christophe Borlin10FR Saint-Gaudens Bears
Thomas Bosc316FE Catalans Dragons
Laurent Carrasco20LK Toulouse Olympique
Rémi Casty20PR Catalans Dragons
Olivier Elima30SR Catalans Dragons
Jamal Fakir30SR Catalans Dragons
Adel Fellous20PR Widnes Vikings
Maxime Grésèque20HB Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Mathieu Griffi10FR Catalans Dragons
Christophe Moly34UH/UB AS Carcassonne
Grégory Mounis30LK Catalans Dragons
Justin Murphy20WG Catalans Dragons
Dimitri Pelo20WG Catalans Dragons
Sébastien Planas14WG Toulouse Olympique
Sébastien Raguin34SR Catalans Dragons
Julien Rinaldi10HB Harlequins RL
Teddy Sadaoui30CE AS Carcassonne
Jared Taylor34FB Lézignan Sangliers
John Wilson38CE Catalans Dragons
James Wynne20HB Toulouse Olympique

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
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Danny Brough 212HB Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Chris Armit30PR Bulldogs RLFC
Dean Colton14WG Doncaster
Paddy Coupar10HB/CE Edinburgh Eagles
Gavin Cowan20CE Easts Tigers
John Duffy30HB Widnes Vikings
Ben Fisher20HK Hull Kingston Rovers
Andrew Henderson30HK Castleford Tigers
Ian Henderson30HK New Zealand Warriors
Kevin Henderson30CE Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Jack Howieson10PR Sheffield Eagles
Paul Jackson20PR Huddersfield Giants
Wade Liddell20FB Easts Tigers
Scott Logan30PR Canberra Raiders
Neil Lowe10SR Keighley Cougars
Dave McConnell10HK Leigh Centurions
Duncan MacGillivray20SR Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Iain Morrison30SR Widnes Vikings
Gareth Morton10CE Oldham
Mick Nanyn30CE Oldham
Lee Paterson10FE Widnes Vikings
Michael Robertson34WG Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Jon Steel28WG Hull Kingston Rovers
Oliver Wilkes38PR Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Pool C

Ireland

Head coach: Andy Kelly
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Scott Grix 34FB Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Ross Barbour00CE Carlow Crusaders
Bob Beswick30LK Halifax
Damien Blanch320WG Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Mick Cassidy10SR Barrow Raiders
Ged Corcoran10PR Sheffield Eagles
Lee Doran30SR Widnes Vikings
Liam Finn34HB Dewsbury Rams
Simon Finnigan34SR Huddersfield Giants
Karl Fitzpatrick30FB Salford City Reds
Stevie Gibbons00WG London Skolars
Sean Gleeson34CE Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Brendan Guilfoyle00PR Treaty City Titans
Gareth Haggerty30PR Harlequins RL
Ben Harrison30PR Warrington Wolves
Graham Holroyd00FE Halifax
Wayne Kerr10PR London Skolars
Stuart Littler30CE Salford City Reds
Michael McIlorum30HK Wigan Warriors
Shayne McMenemy00SR WA Reds
Eamon O'Carroll30PR Wigan Warriors
Michael Platt34FB Bradford Bulls
Pat Richards328WG Wigan Warriors
Ryan Tandy30PR Wests Tigers

Head coach: John Ackland
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Nigel Vagana 28CE South Sydney Rabbitohs
George Carmont38WG/CE Wigan Warriors
David Faiumu00HK North Queensland Cowboys
Harrison Hansen30SR Wigan Warriors
Ali Lauitiiti30SR Leeds Rhinos
Tuaalagi Lepupa00 Marist Saints
Kylie Leuluai20PR Leeds Rhinos
Wayne McDade20PR Auckland Vulcans
Francis Meli38WG St Helens R.F.C.
Joseph Paulo34SR/FE Penrith Panthers
Frank Puletua34PR Penrith Panthers
Tony Puletua30SR Penrith Panthers
Ben Roberts318HB/FE Bulldogs RLFC
Tangi Ropati10FB Easts Tigers
Smith Samau30WG Gold Coast Titans
Lagi Setu20SR St. George Illawarra Dragons
Terrence Seu Seu30HK Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
David Solomona24SR Bradford Bulls
Willie Talau20CE St Helens R.F.C.
Alby Talipeau20HB Souths Logan Magpies
Misi Taulapapa28WG Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Ben Te'o18SR Wests Tigers
Tupu Ulufale00 Marist Saints
Matt Utai38WG Bulldogs RLFC

Tonga

Head coach: Jim Dymock
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Lopini Paea 30PR Sydney Roosters
Andrew Emelio10CE Bulldogs RLFC
Richard Fa'aoso20SR Newcastle Knights
Awen Guttenbeil10SR Castleford Tigers
Michael Jennings312CE Penrith Panthers
Antonio Kaufusi30SR Melbourne Storm
Toshio Laiseni10FB Newtown Jets
Stephen Latu1003,015WG Parramatta Eels
Epalahame Lauaki30SR New Zealand Warriors
Tevita Leo-Latu34HK Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Willie Manu30SR Hull F.C.
Manase Manuokafoa20SR South Sydney Rabbitohs
Feleti Mateo34SR Parramatta Eels
Sam Moa30PR Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Eddie Paea26HB South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mickey Paea10SR Sydney Roosters
Fetuli Talanoa34WG South Sydney Rabbitohs
Joel Taufa'ao14HB South Sydney Rabbitohs
Esikeli Tonga24FB Gold Coast Titans
Etuate Uaisele38WG Parramatta Eels
Kim Uasi20HK Auckland Vulcans
Cooper Vuna312WG Newcastle Knights
Tony Williams324WG Parramatta Eels

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
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Rhys Wesser18FB Penrith Panthers
Justin Carney14WG Canberra Raiders
Maurice Blair10CE Penrith Panthers
Jamal Idris10CE Bulldogs RLFC
Ty Williams10WG North Queensland Cowboys
Jamie Soward110FE St George Illawarra Dragons
Preston Campbell 10HB Gold Coast Titans
Carl Webb10PR North Queensland Cowboys
Ian Lacey10HK Ipswich Jets
George Rose10PR Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Daine Laurie10SR Wests Tigers
Derrick Watkins10SR Brisbane Broncos
Dean Widders10LK South Sydney Rabbitohs
Chris Sandow10HB South Sydney Rabbitohs
Rod Jensen18UB Huddersfield Giants
Yileen Gordon14CE South Sydney Rabbitohs
Peter Jensen10UB CRL
Denis Moran00HB Narwan Eels

New Zealand Māori

Head coach: Luke Goodwin
PlayerGamesPointsPositionClub
Bronx Goodwin14FB,WG Canberra Raiders
Jordan Rapana14WG Gold Coast Titans
Chase Stanley16CE St George Illawarra Dragons
Karl Johnson10CE Central Comets
Shaun Kenny-Dowall14WG,CE Sydney Roosters
Arana Taumata14FE Bulldogs RLFC
Rangi Chase10HB,FE St George Illawarra Dragons
Weller Hauraki10PR Parramatta Eels
Ben Ellis 10HK St George Illawarra Dragons
Sam McKendry14FR Penrith Panthers
Wairangi Koopu10S1 New Zealand Warriors
Craig Smith10S2Unattached
Lee Te Maari10LF,S1 Bulldogs RLFC
Charlie Herekotukutuku10FB,WG,HB South Sydney Rabbitohs
Joseph Cahill10 Sydney Roosters
Chance Bunce10 Cronulla Sharks
James Tamou10HK Sydney Roosters
Kevin Proctor00SR Melbourne Storm

Positions