Rugby World Cup 2013: A Preview

Group C

Scotland, Tonga, Italy SCOTLAND Squad: Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls), Sam Barlow (Halifax), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), Brett Carter (Workington Town), Luke Douglas (Gold Coast Titans), Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants), Ben Fisher (London Broncos), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers), Andrew Henderson (Sheffield Eagles), Ian Henderson (Catalans Dragons), Alex Hurst (London Broncos), Ben Kavanagh (Widnes Vikings), Kane Linnett (Gold Coast Titans), Rhys Lovegrove (Hull KR), Gareth Moore (Batley Bulldogs), Brett Phillips (Workington Town), Matthew Russell (Gold Coast Titans), David Scott (Featherstone Rovers), Mitchell Stringer (Sheffield Eagles), Alex Szostak (Sheffield Eagles), Adam Walker (Hull KR), Jonathan Walker (Hull KR), Peter Wallace (Brisbane Broncos), Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats) Captain: Danny Brough Coach: Steve McCormack Nickname: The Bravehearts 2008 Result: Group Stages (lost 48-0 to Tonga in 7th place playoff) Scotland have a reasonably strong squad, with a number of NRL-based players in their ranks, as well as captain and reigning Super League Man of Steel, Danny Brough, who controversially chose to snub England in favour of the Bravehearts earlier in the year. Brough will form a more than competent halfback pairing with Peter Wallace, the current Brisbane Broncos scrum half and former New South Wales state of origin pivot, giving Scotland every chance of progressing through the group. TONGA Squad: Sosaia Feki (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Glen Fisi'iahi (New Zealand Warriors), Mahe Fonua (Melbourne Storm), Daniel Foster (Penrith Panthers), Sydney Havea (Liahona Old Boys), Siliva Havili (New Zealand Warriors), Konrad Hurrell (New Zealand Warriors), Brent Kite (Manly Sea Eagles), Samsoni Langi (Sydney Roosters), Siuatonga Likiliki (Newcastle Knights), Willie Manu (St Helens), Sika Manu (Penrith Panthers), Nesiasi Mataitonga (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta Eels), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Wests Tigers), Mickey Paea (Hull KR), Patrick Politini (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Nafe Seluini (Sydney Roosters), Ukuma Ta'ai (Huddersfield Giants), Jorge Taufua (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Jason Taumololo (North Queensland Cowboys), Peni Terepo (Parramatta Eels), Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Siosa Vave (Parramatta Eels) Captain: Brent Kite Coach: Charlie Tonga Nickname: Mate Ma'a Tonga 2008 Result: Group Stage (Beat Scotland 48-0 in 7th place playoff) I just said Scotland had a chance of progressing, but Tonga no doubt have the best chance in Group C, and are slightly unlucky that their standing in Group C would see them face a likely Quarter Final match up with New Zealand, should they qualify. The south sea island nation boasts a wide array of talent, captained by former Kangaroos international Brent Kite, the squad also includes a number of first choice NRL and Super League stars. Regardless of how far they get, it's no doubt Tonga will be a force to be reckoned with, and if, as I mentioned earlier, they do meet New Zealand in the Quarters, it will have the Rugby League Community licking their lips. ITALY Squad: Christophe Calegari (FC Lezignan XIII), Gioele Celerino (North West Roosters), Chris Centrone (North Sydney Bears), Fabrizio Ciaurro (Brescia RL), Cameron Ciraldo (Penrith Panthers), Ben Falcone (Souths Logan Magpies), Sam Gardel (Souths Logan Magpies), Ryan Ghetti (Northern Pride), Aiden Guerra (Sydney Roosters), Gavin Hiscox (Central Capras), Anthony Laffranchi (St Helens), Joshua Mantellato (Newcastle Knights), Vitaliano Mauro (Salford Red Devils), Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters), Mark Minichiello (Gold Coast Titans), Raymond Nasso (Sporting Olympique Avignon XIII), Dean Parata (Parramatta Eels), Joel Riethmuller (North Queensland Cowboys), James Saltonstall (Warrington Wolves), Brendan Santi (Wests Tigers), Kade Snowden (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), James Tedesco (Wests Tigers), Ryan Tramonte (Windsor Wolves), Paul Vaughan (Canberra Raiders) Captain: Anthony Minichiello Coach: Carlo Napolitano Nickname: The Azzuri 2008 Result: Did not qualify2013 marks Italy's first World Cup, and despite boasting some talented players, there is really very little chance of them progressing beyond the group stage. Saying that, they will by no means be an easy side to beat, as England found out at the weekend. With a decent pack of forwards compiled of some established first team regulars, and with the expert guidance of former Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello, they will certainly be no pushovers. The Azzuri couldn't have wished for a better preparation for the upcoming tournament, recording a sensational 15-14 win over co-hosts England in apocalyptic conditions at the Salford City Stadium. Despite this, I'm sticking by my original prediction that they will not be strong enough to reach the last eight.