Rugby World Cup 2013: A Preview

Group A

Australia, England, Fiji, Ireland AUSTRALIA Squad: Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans), Darius Boyd (Newcastle Knights), Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters), Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers), Andrew Fifita (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sutherland-Sharks), Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels), Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Michael Jennings (Sydney Roosters), Luke Lewis (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons), Josh Morris (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos), Matthew Scott (North Queensland Cowboys), Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys), Brent Tate (North Queensland Cowboys), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys) Captain: Cameron Smith Coach: Tim Sheens Nickname: The Kangaroos 2008 Result: Runners up (Lost 34-20 to New Zealand) Where to even begin with this lot, for many, the trophy ending up in Cameron Smith's hands on the 30th of November is already a foregone conclusion, and I've got to say I have to agree with this assessment. After losing the trophy back in 2008 to their closest rivals New Zealand, the Kangaroos will be determined to put things right this time around, and with the abundance of talent they boast across the board, there's every possibility of them doing so. The Australian squad boasts a number of world class players, with arguably the best players in the world in at least 5 different positions, it's easy to see why they're heavy pre-tournament favourites. With the likes of Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith providing the brains and guile, the natural talent of Jonathan Thurston, a formidable forward pack, and the freakish talent of Greg Inglis, any side that beats the Australians will more than likely see themselves crowned champions. ENGLAND Squad: Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos), Tom Briscoe (Hull FC), George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos), Josh Charnley (Wigan Warriors), Rangi Chase (Salford Red Devils), Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants), James Graham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Zak Hardaker (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves), Michael McIllorum (Wigan Warriors), Lee Mossop (Wigan Warriors), Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan Warriors), James Roby (St Helens), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm) Captain: Kevin Sinfield Coach: Steve McNamara Nickname: The Lions 2008 Result: Semi Finals (Lost 32-22 to New Zealand) As the host nation, and the birthplace of Rugby League, England will be hoping to be keeping the trophy on home soil this autumn, but unfortunately, I don't see it happening. The Lions boast a pack to match anyone, with the likes of the Burgess brothers, and James Graham flying in from down under, but unfortunately will not be able to compete with the likes of Australia in the back region, which is depleted after the loss of Brisbane Broncos' English-born centre Jack Reed. However, with a full back of Sam Tomkins' quality, and a world class winger in Ryan Hall, the back three will be pretty solid. The selection of New Zealand-born pivot Rangi Chase has also caused a further stir amongst some sections of the RL community after he switched allegiances two yours ago, with Wigan legend Andy Gregory being particularly critical on the subject. Gregory asked the question "if he's that good then why isn't he in the New Zealand squad?" and when commenting on Chase's eligibility through residency, he quipped "if I keep a dog in a stable for three years can I call it a horse?" Got to say I agree there. Anyway, I'll try not to get into my own opinions on selection. The England squad contains a good deal of NRL talent, and is captained by controversial Golden Boot winner and Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield, who it appears will form a halfback partnership with the aforementioned Rangi Chase, at the expense of Halifax-born Melbourne stand-off Gareth Widdop. All-in-all, I am not particularly optimistic about my native country's chances this autumn, and this was further heightened last weekend with the warm-up defeat to Italy at Salford, and the subsequent removal of Gareth Hock from the squad for failing to report for a team camp. England's build-up has certainly not been without it's dramas, and whilst I could see us reaching the final, a last four defeat is looking more plausible at present. FIJI Squad: Peni Botiki (Saru Dragons), Jayson Bukuya (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Petero Civoniceva (Redcliffe Dolphins), Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters), Aaron Groom (Asquith Magpies), Ilisavani Jegesa (Nabua Broncos), Marika Koroibete (Wests Tigers), Apisai Koroisau (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Daryl Millard (Catalans Dragons), Ryan Millard (Burwood United), Kevin Naiqama (Newcastle Knights), Waisale Naiqama (Penrith Panthers), Alipate Noilea (Collegians Illawarra), Tikiko Noke (Lautoka Crushers), Vitale Junior (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Ashton Sims (North Queensland Cowboys), Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights), Tariq Sims (North Queensland Cowboys), James Storer (Collegians Illawarra), Kaliova Nauqe (Fassifern Queensland), Akuila Uate (Newcastle Knights), Eloni Tui Michael Vunakece (Wyong Roos), Sisa Ledua (Melbourne Storm), Semi Radradra Turagasoli Waqavatu (Parramatta Eels) Captain: Petero Civoniceva Coach: Rick Stone Nickname: The Bati 2008 Result: Semi-Finals (Lost 52-0 to Australia) Another nation with the ability to cause some ripples in the tournament, Fiji can boast a number of players who are considered leading lights in the NRL competition, none more so than Newcastle Knights' flying winger Akuila Uate, who has also represented Australia at international level, as well as gaining State of Origin representative honours with New South Wales. Aside from this, the Bati have constructed a formidable forward pack, with captain and former Australia powerhouse Petero Civoniceva leading from the front, and the Sims brothers bolstering the forward pack along with Cronulla forward Jayson Bukuya. With the tournament format, Fiji are likely to form a mouth-watering clash with Papua New Guinea in the quarter finals, which will no doubt be well worth the watch. IRELAND Squad: Dave Allen (Widnes Vikings), Luke Ambler (Halifax), Bob Beswick (Leigh Centurions), Damien Blanch (Catalans Dragons), Danny Bridge (Warrington Wolves), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Liam Finn (Featherstone Rovers), Simon Finnigan (Leigh Centurions), Scott Grix (Huddersfield Giants), Simon Grix (Warrington Wolves), Kurt Haggerty (Barrow Raiders), James Hasson (Manly Sea Eagles), Rory Kostjayn (North Queensland Cowboys), Stuart Littler (Leigh Centurions), Tyrone McCarthy (Warrington Wolves), James Mendeika (Warrington Wolves), Anthony Mullally (Huddersfield Giants), Eamon O'Carroll (Widnes Vikings), Apirana Pewhairangi (Parramatta Eels), Pat Richards (Wigan Warriors), Colton Roche (Sheffield Eagles), Marc Sneyd (Castleford Tigers), Joshua Toole (St George Illawarra Dragons), Brett White (Canberra Raiders) Captain: Liam Finn Coach: Mark Aston Nickname: The Wolfhounds 2008 Result: Semi-Final Qualifier (Lost 30-14 to Fiji) Unfortunately for Ireland, despite finishing 5th in the 2008 tournament, I can't see them winning a game this time around. In a strong group containing England, Australia and Fiji, the wolfhounds look almost nailed on to pick up the wooden spoon in Group A. The Emerald Isle outfit no doubt contains some talent, with Wests Tigers-bound winger Pat Richards amongst the big names set to be donning the green jersey this autumn, but despite that, it still looks likely that the Irish are dead-cert wooden spoonists. Their best chance of qualification will no doubt come against the talented Fijians, which is pretty depressing if you're an Ireland fan. All-in-all, I can't see them making it out of the group. Quarters at best, but they'll be extremely lucky to do so.