Rugby World Cup 2013: A Preview

Group B

New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, France NEW ZEALAND Squad: Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Kieran Foran (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Alex Glenn (Brisbane Broncos), Bryson Goodwin (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Josh Hoffman (Brisbane Broncos), Krisnan Inu (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors), Sam Kasiano (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Thomas Leuluai (New Zealand Warriors), Kevin Locke (New Zealand Warriors), Issac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), Ben Matulino (New Zealand Warriors), Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Frank Pritchard (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Elijah Taylor (New Zealand Warriors), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters), Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers), Sonny Bill Williams (Sydney Roosters) Captain: Simon Mannering Coach: Stephen Kearney Nickname: The Kiwis 2008 Result: Champions (Beat Australia 34-20) Reigning champions New Zealand arrive on these shores with an expectedly formidable squad, boosted by the late inclusion of dual-code international, Sonny Bill Williams (more on him later). Despite the loss of 2010 Golden Boot winner, Benji Marshall to Rugby Union, the Kiwis still have a quality halves pairing in the shape of Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson, who are world class in their own right. More than this, though, New Zealand's main strength, as usual, lies in their gargantuan pack, most notably the aforementioned Sonny Bill, who provides the 'X-factor' that former captain Marshall used to provide. Williams has the spark to unlock any game, and could well be a Golden Boot winner by the end of the season if he plays an integral part in the Kiwis retaining their world crown. To conclude, I see the 2008 champions making the final, and then narrowly losing to the might of the Australians in the final, but with a man with the quality of SBW, you just never know. PAPUA NEW GUINEA Squad: Josiah Abavu (Port Moresby Vipers), Paul Aiton (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), Dion Aiye (Rabaul Gurias), Wellington Albert (Lae Tigers), Ase Boas (Rabaul Gurias), Jason Chan (Huddersfield Giants), Neville Costigan (Newcastle Knights), Israel Eliab (Port Moresby Vipers), Richard Kambo (Port Moresby Vipers), Roger Laka (Enga Mioks), Enoch Maki (Mendi Muruks), Larsen Marabe (Orange CYMS), Bosam McDonald (Sydney Roosters), David Mead (Gold Coast Titans), Mark Mexico (Lae Tigers), Jessie Joe Nandye (Whitehaven), Sebastien Pandia (Port Moresby Vipers), Francis Paniu (Rabaul Gurias), James Segeyaro (Penrith Panthers), Jason Tali (Mount Hagen Eagles), Ray Thompson (North Queensland Cowboys), Charlie Wabo (Mendi Muruks), Menzie Yere (Sheffield Eagles) Captain: Neville Costigan Coach: Adrian Lam Nickname: The Kumuls Papua New Guinea is the only country in the world that regards Rugby League as its national sport, and maybe that's why the Kumuls are such an enjoyable side to watch. Although they generally can't compete against the so-called 'big 3', PNG play the game in the right way, and provide the same sort of enjoyable experience that watching Ghana at football does. However, if I'm making it sound like the Kumuls are just the lovable pushovers, I'm giving off entirely the wrong impression. PNG certainly pack a punch, with seasoned pros such as captain Neville Costigan and Paul Aiton in the squad, the RLIF 6th ranked nation should certainly qualify from the group stage. To summarise, they should be good enough to reach the semi-finals, but with possible quarters against England or Fiji, they could well come unstuck in the last 8. SAMOA Squad: Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra Dragons), David Fa'alogo (Newcastle Knights), Pita Godinet (New Zealand Warriors), Harrison Hansen (Wigan Warriors), Masada Iosefa (Wests Tigers), Faleniu Iosi (Letava Bulldogs), Tim Lafai (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Joseph Leilua (Newcastle Knights), Teofilo Lepou (Marist Saints), Reni Maitua (Parramatta Eels), Penani Manumalealii (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Mose Masoe (Penrith Panthers) Suaia Matagi (New Zealand Warriors), Arden McCarthy (Pointchevallier), Anthony Milford (Canberra Raiders), Junior Moors (Melbourne Storm), Edward Purcell (New Zealand Warriors), Ben Roberts (Parramatta Eels), Iosia Soliola (St Helens), Sauaso Sue (Wests Tigers) Captain: Harrison Hansen Coach: Matt Parish Nickname: Toa Samoa 2008 Result: Group Stage (Beat France 42-10 in 9th place playoff) Another of the South Sea Island nations with a strong squad, Samoa will be hoping to go better than their 9th placed finish 5 years ago, and qualify for the quarter finals. However, if they finish second in the group, they'll be well placed to reach the semis, with a likely tie against Fiji deciing who goes into the last four. Toa Samoa contains a strong NRL contingent, and captained by experienced Wigan back-rower Harrison Hansen, they should be good enough to qualify for the quarters at least. FRANCE Squad: Jean Philippe Baile (Catalans Dragons), William Barthau (Catalans Dragons), Andrew Bentley (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Kane Bentley (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Thomas Bosc (Catalans Dragons), Damien Cardace (Catalans Dragons), Remi Casty (Catalans Dragons), Vincent Duport (Catalans Dragons), Olivier Elima (Catalans Dragons), Morgan Escare (Catalans Dragons), Theo Fages (Salford Red Devils), Jamal Fakir (Catalans Dragons), Benjamin Garcia (Brisbane Broncos), Tony Gigot (Sporting Olympique Avignon XIII), Clint Greenshields (North Queensland Cowboys), Younes Khattabi (AS Carcassone XIII), Kevin Larroyer (Catalans Dragons), Antoni Maria (Catalans Dragons), Gregory Mounis (Catalans Dragons), Eloi Pelissier (Catalans Dragons), Sebastian Raguin (St Esteve XIII Catalan), Mickael Simon (Catalans Dragons), Cyril Stacul (FC Lezignan XIII), Frederic Vaccari (Catalans Dragons) Captain: Olivier Elima Coach: Richard Agar Nickname: Les Chanticleers 2008 Result: Group Stage (Lost 42-10 to Samoa in 9th place playoff) France will certainly be hoping for a better outing than last time around, when they finished dead last after their play-off defeat to Samoa, but, if I'm being honest, there's still only a small chance that they'll qualify for the last eight. Despite having a number of talented players, buoyed by the success of the Catalans Dragons Super League franchise, the French lack direction at international level, despite having a top class half-back in Thomas Bosc. They could sneak out of the group, but that'll be about it, I'm afraid. So there it is, my complete, if brief at times, run through of all 14 teams at the RLWC this autumn. Have I provoked any thoughts? Do you completely disagree with what I've said? Please feel free to comment...