As the Rugby League World Cup kicks off in spectacular fashion with the Kangaroos taking on the Kiwis on Thursday night, we run our eye over the contenders for the biggest prize on the international stage.
asserted
we → kick → stage
However, there are many obstacles – Kiwis aside – that the locals will need to overcome.
asserted
locals → be → that
The unavailability of props Payne Haas and Lindsay Collins, which leaves the Kangaroos light up front, could be just as telling.
uncertain
which → leave → front
They can ill-afford for any front-rowers to get injured during the pool games.
asserted
rowers → afford → games
Another potential issue is the fact that coach Kevin Walters has picked 10 players who didn’t play finals football and have spent more than a month on the sidelines.
asserted
who → pick → sidelines
Time will tell if they will come in rusty, or better for a freshen-up.
asserted
they → tell → up
The Roos will also have to contend with speculation about the future of their biggest names.
asserted
Roos → have → names
Eleven players – including Latrell Mitchell, Sam Walker, Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster – will become free agents if they don’t recommit to their clubs before November 1.
asserted
they → include → November
There will also be plenty of conjecture about who should be the team’s first-choice fullback and halfback for the finals, with Reece Walsh and Mitchell Moses selected over grand final heroes James Tedesco and Sam Walker in the opener.
asserted
Walsh → select → opener
The team has plenty of class out wide, although Bostock and Tom Trbojevic haven’t had much recent experience on the wing.
asserted
Bostock → have → wing
Now this is a pack you’d want to play behind.
asserted
you → want → ?
Naufahu Whyte, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joseph Tapine are as good as any prop rotation assembled.
asserted
Whyte → assemble → rotation
At a time when the Aussies are depleted up front, this is a huge advantage for the Kiwis.
asserted
this → deplete → Kiwis
It’s a powerhouse pack that should create momentum for a New Zealand spine that will, for the first time, contain Kalyn Ponga.
asserted
that → ’ → Ponga
Ponga and former Knights teammate Dane Gagai have been able to switch their allegiance from Australia.
asserted
Ponga → switch → Australia
Hooker Phoenix Crossland’s suspension is a blow, but Jeremy Marshall-King provides creativity from dummy half.
asserted
King → provide → half
Jarome Hughes will call the shots at halfback, and you know it’s a strong spine when Keano Kini is squeezed out of the fullback spot.
asserted
Kini → call → spot
Whether there’s as much class across this backline as Australia’s is a debate likely to be decided in the final.
asserted
’s → ’ → final
The World Cup provides teams with a short preparation at the end of a long season.
asserted
Cup → provide → season
Picking six Warriors players will be an advantage from a cohesion standpoint.
asserted
Picking → pick → standpoint
Samoa
The runners-up in the last World Cup, Samoa will fancy their chances again.
asserted
Samoa → fancy → chances
This squad features established stars Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton and Junior Paulo, who will provide the required leadership.
asserted
who → feature → leadership
This is a platform to further show how far the Newcastle back-rowers have come during a breakout season.
asserted
rowers → show → season
The team has loads of strike power with To’o, Crichton and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
asserted
team → have → To’o
Spencer Leniu, coming off his grand final heroics, will provide a point of difference to a steady pack that features Francis Molo and Paulo.
asserted
that → come → Molo
However, much will come down to whether Luai will be able to reproduce his best after going off the boil at Wests Tigers.
asserted
Luai → come → Tigers
Luai has previously stood up at international level and his halves pairing with Chanel Harris-Tevita will need to click.
Tonga
Will be looking to reestablish themselves in the international arena after falling to fifth in the world rankings.
asserted
Tonga → stand → rankings
They were well off the pace last year, copping hidings from Samoa and New Zealand.
asserted
They → cop → Samoa
Coach Kristian Woolf has a powerful pack at his disposal – including Addin Fonua-Blake, Jason Taumalolo, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Haumole Olakau’atu, Siua Wong and Taniela Paseka.
asserted
Woolf → have → Blake
Much will depend on how rising star Isaiya Katoa acquits himself.
asserted
Katoa → depend → himself
This is a chance for the Dolphins halfback to stamp himself as a genuine superstar.
asserted
halfback → stamp → superstar
Halves partner Latu Fainu will also need a big series.
asserted
Fainu → need → series
There was so much hype about last year’s Ashes series, but England couldn’t have been more disappointing (Australia was only marginally better).
asserted
Australia → be → series
That 3-0 series defeat ended the tenure of coach Shaun Wane, with Brian McDermott tasked with restoring credibility.
asserted
McDermott → end → credibility
Skipper George Williams, who is returning to Australia with the Dolphins, is another familiar face.
asserted
who → return → Dolphins
How the Australian-based players gel with their Super League counterparts during a short preparation will be vital.
asserted
gel → base → preparation
Before the Ashes, England won seven Tests in a row, including against Samoa and Tonga.
asserted
England → win → Samoa
However, that streak was achieved at home and playing here during an Australian summer is a different challenge.
asserted
playing → achieve → summer
With the NRL in discussions to purchase the Super League and a World Cup up for grabs, there’s an opportunity for the English game to get a big boost over the next month.
asserted
game → purchase → month
With the Papua New Guinea Chiefs coming into the NRL in 2028, this is a fantastic opportunity for Willie Peters to cast his eye over the nation’s home-grown talent.
asserted
Peters → come → talent
…and 3 more, not listed.
The Aporia
