Rugby World Cup 2013: A Preview

Group D

Cook Islands, United States, Wales COOK ISLANDS Squad: Tinirau Arona (Syndey Roosters), Sam Brunton (Mounties Bundy), Daniel Fepuleai (North Sydney Bears), Jonathon Ford (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Anthony Gelling (Wigan Warriors), Isaac John (Penrith Panthers), Drury Low (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Keith Lulia (Bradford Bulls), Lulia Lulia (Shell Harbour), Hikule'o Malu (New Zealand Warriors), Sam Mataora (Canberra Raiders), Joseph Matapuku (North Sydney Bears), Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters), Dominique Peyroux (New Zealand Warriors), Rea Pittman (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), Tupou Sopoaga (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Zeb Taia (Catalan Dragons), Brad Takairangi (Gold Coast Titans), Adam Tangata (Mounties Bundy), Chris Taripo (Sydney Roosters), Zane Tetavano (Newcastle Knights), Tyrone Viiga (Parramatta Eels) Captain: TBA Coach: David Fairleigh Nickname: The Kukis 2008 Result: Did not qualify This year will be the Kukis second appearance at the World Cup, after their 2000 campaign ended without them recording a win. As seems to be the case with every side in this World Cup, the squad does contain a fair amount of talent, but I cannot see them progressing from the group stages. Despite the talents of the likes of Keith Lulia and Sam Mataora, the squad has a large number of unknowns in it, and they will struggle to compete against the likes of Tonga and Wales. USA Squad: Mark Cantoni (Dalby), Andrew Durutalo (USA Eagles), Bureta Faramio (Mackay Cutters), Gabriel Farley (Southampton Dragons), Kristian Freed (Racing Club Lescure), Michael Garvey (Pennsylvania Bulls), Roman Hifo (Papakura Sea Eagles), Daniel Howard (Wentworthville Magpies), Stephen Howard (Tuggerong Bushrangers), Judah Lavulo (Cabramatta), Haveatama Luani (Wests Tigers), David Marando (Belrose Eagles), Ryan McGoldrick (Salford Red Devils), Clint Newton (Penrith Panthers), Mark Offerdahl (AS Carcassone XIII), Joseph Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Junior Paulo (Windsor Wolves), Matthew Petersen (Cudgen Hornets), Craig Priestly (Southampton Dragons), Tuisegasega Samoa (Redcliffe Dolphins), Matthew Shipway (South Newcastle), Les Soloai (Featherstone Rovers), Lelauloto Tagaloa (Hawaii Chiefs), Taylor Welch (Chicago Griffins) Captain: Joseph Paulo Coach: Terry Matterson Nickname: The Tomahawks 2008 Result: Did not qualify Another RLWC debutant, the USA will struggle to compete at the upcoming tournament, and will be extremely lucky to get a result in any of their 3 games. The squad is made up largely of unknown lower league and domestic based players, and despite a shock 22-18 win against France at the weekend, I really can't see them being much more than the group D whipping boys. WALES Squad: Neil Budworth (unattached), Ross Divorty (Halifax), Gil Dudson (Wigan Warriors), Jacob Emmitt (Salford Red Devils), Ben Evans (Bradford Bulls), Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves), Daniel Fleming (Castleford Tigers), Ben Flower (Wigan Warriors), Tyson Frizzel (St George Illawarra Dragons), James Gurtjens (North Devils), Jordan James (Salford Red Devils), Danny Jones (Keighley Cougars), Elliot Kear (Bradford Bulls), Craig Kopczak (Huddersfield Giants), Rhodri Lloyd (Wigan Warriors), Peter Lupton (Workington Town), Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders), Larne Patrick (Huddersfield Giants), Christiaan Roets (North Wales Crusaders), Matt Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Anthony Walker (St Helens), Ian Webster (Central Queensland Capras), Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings), Rhys Williams (Warrington Wolves) Captain: Craig Kopczak Coach: Iestyn Harris Nickname: The Dragons 2008 Result: Did not qualify Tournament co-hosts Wales round up the group D line-up, and they must go down as the favourites to progress from the group where all teams were absent from the 2008 tournament. Despite not boasting a great deal of NRL talent, the Dragons no doubt have a talented squad, with the likes of Huddersfield Giants powerhouse Craig Kopczak leading the way up front. Wales are almost a dead cert to reach the last 8, where a likely clash with Australia will see their tournament reach an end. Now, to go on to the two stronger groups, A and B.