As the squads are named over the next few weeks we’ll have every player from every team right here, updating it as the nation’s name their teams.
If a player misses selection for a Tier 1 nation (Australia, New Zealand or England) he can play for any Tier 2 nation for which he qualifies.
For a player to qualify to represent a country he must either have been born in that nation, have parents or grandparents born in that nation or have been a resident for 60 months.
AUSTRALIA
Mal Meninga’s squad contains seven Melbourne Storm players, including three debutants in Felise Kaufusi, Jordan McLean and Cameron Munster.
Tom Trbojevic, Dane Gagai and Wade Graham are the other debutants with Ben Hunt possibly claiming a return to Test football for the first time since 2014.
Blake Ferguson, the 2016 Harry Sunderland medallist as player of the tour during the Four Nations, has been overlooked but Josh Dugan has retained his place.
Andrew Fifita was originally named before switching to Tonga and Darius Boyd was selected before succumbing to a hamstring injury. They’ve been replaced by Panthers duo Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Josh Mansour.
SQUAD: Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi, Jordan McLean, Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm), Ben Hunt, Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos), Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles), Josh Dugan, Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons), James Maloney, Valentine Holmes, Wade Graham (Cronulla Sharks) Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters), Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys), Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers), David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs), Josh Mansour Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers)
COACH: Mal Meninga
Who will Mal Meninga choose?
NEW ZEALAND
DAVID Kidwell has named five debutants as New Zealand reel from losing a host of players to Tonga and Samoa. Danny Levi, Addin Fonua-Blake, Brad Takairangi, Isaac Liu and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are all expected to make their Test debuts at some point in the tournament. Warriors-bound forward Adam Blair will lead the squad. Tellingly, veteran hooker Issac Luke has not been included, expect Levi, Thomas Leuluai and Kodi Nikorima to contend for the vacancy.
SQUAD: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors), Dallin Watene Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), Gerard, Beale (Cronulla Sharks/New Zealand Warriors), Brad Takairangi (Parramatta Eels), Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers), Peta Hiku (Warrington Wolves), Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors), Kodi Nikorima (Brisbane Broncos), Te Maire Martin (North Queensland Cowboys), Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights), Adam Blair (Brisbane Broncos/New Zealand WarriorsWarriors) captain, Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Russell Packer (St George Illawarra Dragons/Wests Tigers), Addin Fonua-Blake (Many Sea Eagles), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), Kenny Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters), Elijah Taylor (Wests Tigers)
Coach: David Kidwell
Kiwis coach David Kidwell is under pressure following a poor Four Nations performance.
ENGLAND
WAYNE Bennett has made some serious waves by leaving Sam Tomkins and Liam Farrell at home and including Warrington five-eighth Kevin Brown. Zak Hardaker has been excluded after he tested positive to cocaine and was provisionally suspended for the grand final. George Burgess has also missed the cut but there’s a strong NRL contingent with Josh Hodgson, Sam Burgess, James Graham, Tom Burgess, Gareth Widdop and Chris Heihington all getting a start.
SQUAD: John Bateman (Wigan), Kevin Brown (Warrington), Sam Burgess, Thomas Burgess (both South Sydney), Ben Currie (Warrington), Luke Gale (Castleford), James Graham (St George), Ryan Hall (Leeds), Chris Heighington (Cronulla), Chris Hill (Warrington), Josh Hodgson (Canberra), Jonny Lomax (St Helens), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield), Mike McMeeken (Castleford), Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan, captain), Mark Percival (St Helens), Stefan Ratchford (Warrington), James Roby (St Helens), Scott Taylor (Hull FC), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Kallum Watkins (Leeds), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra), Gareth Widdop (St George), George Williams (Wigan).
Coach: Wayne Bennett
Bennett has two wins as England coach.
SCOTLAND
DANNY Brought will captain the Scots in his third World Cup campaign but the Bravehearts will be without Kane Linnett, Lachlan Coote and Peter Wallace due to injury. The Bentley brothers, Andrew and Kane, have been named to make their Scottish debuts after previously representing France while Luke Douglas, Danny Addy, Lewis Tierney and Matty Russell are the other big names.
SQUAD: Alex Walker (London Broncos), Andrew Bentley (Toulouse Olympique), Ben Hellewell (London Broncos), Ben Kavanagh (Hull KR), Brandan Wilkinson (Bradford Bulls), Callum Phillips (Workington Town), Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants), Danny Addy (Hull KR), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), David Scott (Batley Bulldogs), Frankie Mariano (Featherstone Rovers), James Bell (New Zealand Warriors), Jarred Anderson (Sydney Roosters), Johnny Walker (Darlington Point Roosters), Kane Bentley (Toulouse Olympique), Kieran Moran (Hull KR), Lachlan Stein (Penrith Panthers), Lewis Tierney (Wigan Warriors), Luke Douglas (St Helens), Matthew Russell (Warrington Wolves), Oscar Thomas (Bradford Bulls), Sam Brooks (Featherstone Rovers), Shane Toal (Barrow Raiders), Will Oakes (Hull KR)
Coach: Steve McCormack
Danny Brough will again lead the Scots.
SAMOA
Matt Parish’s Samoan side will be headlined by Kangaroos discard Josh Papalii and a host of other NRL stars including Joey Leuila, Junior Paulo and Tim Lafai.
SQUAD: Frank Pritchard )Parramatta Eels), Bunty Afoa (New Zealand Warriors), Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra Dragons), Faámanu Brown (Cronulla Sharks), Herman Ese’ese (Brisbane Broncos), Pita Godinet (Manly Sea Eagles), Joey Leilua (Canberra Raiders), Ricky Leutele (Cronulla Sharks), Sam Lisone (New Zealand Warriors), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Suaia Matagi (Parramatta Eels), Peter Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights), Frank Winterstein (Manly Sea Eagles), Ken Maumalo (New Zealand Warriors), Tim Lafai (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Zane Musgrove (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Joseph Paulo (Cronulla Sharks), Junior Paulo (Canberra Raiders), Ben Roberts (Castleford Tigers), Sam Tagataese (Cronulla Sharks), Jazz Tevaga (New Zealand Warriors), Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm), Matthew Wright (Manly Sea Eagles)
Coach: Matt Parish
Samoa are expected to name a strong squad.
FRANCE
SEVEN Catalans Dragons players have been named in Aurelien Cologni’s squad with former Rooster and current Tolouse halfback Mark Kheirallah is the only naturalised player. All 24 players are based in either France or England. St Helens halfback Theo Fages will captain the French as they look to progress past the group stage for the first time since the 1960’s.
SQUAD: Lucas Albert, Jason Baitieri, Julian Bousquet, Nabil Djalout, Benjamin Garcia, Thibaut Margalet, Fouad Yaha (Catalans Dragons), Bastien Ader, Clement Boyer, Mark Kheirallah (Tolouse Olympique), Maxime Herold, Mickael Rouch (Limoux Grizzlies) Guillaume Bonnet, Damien Cardace (FC Lezignan), Olivier Arnaud (SO Avignong), William Barthau, John Boudebza (London Broncos), Antoni Maria, Eloi Pelissier (Leigh Centurions), Hakim Miloudi (Hull F.C), Gadwin Springer (Castleford Tigers), Theo Fages (St Helens), Benjamin Jullien (Warrington Wolves), Romain Navarrete (Wigan Warriors)
Coach: Aurelien Cologni
Former Catalans hooker Eloi Pelissier will be one to watch for France.
IRELAND
VETERAN halfback Liam Finn, who played in the 2008 and 2013 World Cups, leads the Irish. Api Pewhairanhgi, Shannon McDonnell and Tyrone McCarthy are the only players in the squad with NRL experience but Finn, Scott Grix, Micky McIlorum and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook are all Super League stalwarts. McCarthy-Scarsbrook and McIlorum have both previously been capped for England.
SQUAD: Liam Finn, Scott Grix, James Hasson (Wakefield Wildcats), Kyle Amor (St. Helens), Liam Kay (Toronto Wolfpack), Will Hope (Sheffield Eagles), Oliver Roberts (Huddersfield Giants), Ed Chamberlain (Widnes Vikings), George King (Warrington Wolves), Toby King (Warrington Wolves), Joe Keyes (Bradford Bulls), Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves), Jack Higginson (Wigan Warriors), Anthony Mullally (Leeds Rhinos), Tyrone McCarthy (Salford City Reds), Brad Singleton (Leeds Rhinos), Micky McIlorum (Wigan Warriors), Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (St. Helens), Api Pewhairangi (London Broncos), Matty Hadden (Rochdale Hornets), Shannon McDonnell (Camden Rams), Casey Dunne (Longhorns RL), James Kelly (Sheffield Eagles), Alan McMahon Waterford Vikings
Coach: Mark Aston
FIJI
JARRYD Hayne returns for the Bati for the first time since 2008 and along with two of the Sims brothers, Suliasi Vunivalu, Marcelo Montoya and Akuila Uate he leads a strong NRL contingent. Kevin Naiqama will captain the side again as Fiji look to repeat their efforts from 2008 and 2013, where they finished in the semi-finals.
SQUAD: Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters), Salesi Faingaa (Parramatta Eels), Jarryd Hayne (Gold Coast Titans), Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm), Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), Apisai Koroisau (Manly Sea Eagles), Joe Lovadua (St George Illawarra Dragons), Henry Raiwalui (Mounties), Taane Milne (St George Illawarra Dragons), Sitiveni Moceidreke (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kevin Naiqama (Wests Tigers), Ben Nakubuwai (Gold Coast Titans), Mikaele Ravalawa (Canberra Raiders), Junior Roqica (London Broncos), Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), Ashton Sims (Warrington Wolves), Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos), Pio Seci (Nabua Broncos), James Storer (Port Kembla Blacks), Akuila Uate (Manly Sea Eagles), Eloni Vunakece (Sydney Roosters) Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm), Brayden Williame (Catalans Dragons)
Coach: Mick Potter
Can Fiji save Jarryd Hayne again?
WALES
Welsh coach John Kear has named a 24-man squad with a strong Super League contingent, led by skipper Craig Kopczak. Uncapped Chester Butler and Gavin Bennion have both been called up.
SQUAD: Courtney Davies, Steve Parry (both Gloucestershire All Golds), Chester Butler (Halifax), Danny Ansell (Hunslet), Sam Hopkins (Leigh Centurions), Michael Channing, Ben Evans, Dalton Grant, Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (all London Broncos), Matty Barron (Newcastle Thunder), Joe Burke (Oldham), Gavin Bennion (Rochdale Hornets), Craig Kopczak (Salford Red Devils), Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles), Andrew Gay, Christiaan Roets (both South Wales Ironmen), Regan Grace, Morgan Knowles, Ben Morris (all St Helens), Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions), Josh Ralph (Tweed Head Seagulls), Phil Joseph (Workington Town), Matty Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Coach: John Kear
USA
The Americans were the first to name their full squad and have excluded 2013 skipper Joseph Paulo. Coach Brian McDermott has opted to name as many North American based players as possible in order to foster the game locally. Eddy Pettybourne, Junior Vaivai and Bureta Faraimo are the only three men in the squad with NRL experience.
SQUAD: Jonathan Taylor Alley (Central Florida Warriors), Ryan Burroughs (Toronto Wolfpack), Charles ‘CJ’ Cortalano (White Plains Wombats), Joseph Eichner (Toronto Wolfpack), Bureta Faraimo (NZ Warriors), Gabriel Farley (Philadelphia Fight), Kristian Freed (White Plains Wombats), Daniel Howard (Wentworthville Magpies), Stephen Howard (Mounties), Martwain Johnston (Delaware Black Foxes), Andrew Kneisly (Philadelphia Fight), Corey Makelim (Mounties), Fotukava ‘Hiko’ Malu (Atlanta Rhinos), David Marando (Belrose Eagles), Nicholas Newlin (Atlanta Rhinos), Mark Offerdahl (London Broncos), Edward Pettybourne (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Joshua Rice (New York Knights), Matthew Shipway (South Newcastle), Samuel Tochtermann-Talbott (Tweed Heads Seagulls), David Ulch (Tampa Mayhem), Taioalo Junior Vaivai (Illawarra Wests Devils), Matthew Walsh (White Plains Wombats)
Coach: Brian McDermott
The USA made the quarterfinals last time around.
TONGA
In a sensational development set to spice up the tournament two of the biggest names in the NRL have defected from Tier One nations to play for Tonga. Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo has withdrawn from the New Zealand side and Andrew Fifita from the Kangaroos to line up for the Tongans.
SQUAD: Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks), Mahe Fonua (Hull FC/Wests Tigers), David Fusitu’a (New Zealand Warriors), Siliva Havilli (St George Illawarra Dragons), Ata Hingano (New Zealand Warriors), Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs), Konrad Hurrell (Gold Coast Titans), Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels), Solomone Kata (New Zealand Warriors), Sione Katoa (Penrith Panthers), Samisoni Langi (Penrith Panthers), Tuimoala Lolohea (Wests Tigers), Sika Manu (Hull FC), Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels), Sam Moa (Catalans Dragons), Ben Murdoch Masila (Salford Red Devils), Joe Ofahengaue (Brisbane Broncos), Tevita Pangai Jnr (Brisbane Broncos), Ukuma Ta’ai (Huddersfield Giants), Sio Siua Taukieaho (Sydney Roosters), Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys), Peni Terepo (Parramatta Eels), Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Manu Vatuvei (Salford Red Devils)
Coach: Kristian Woolf
Mate Ma’a Tonga are always great to watch.
ITALY
The Italians released an extensive train-on squad which has now been trimmed down to 23 players. James Tedesco, Mark Minichiello, Oliver Gildart, Paul Vaughan, Nathan Brown, Daniel Alvaro and Josh Aloiai headline the squad. Former rugby union international Mirco Bergamasco has also been named
SQAUD:
Daniel Alvaro, Nathan Brown (Parramatta Eels), Mirco Bergamasco, Cristophe Calegari, Giuseppe Pagani, Emmanuele Pesara & Eduardo Pizano (Italian domestic competition), Terry Campese (Queanbeyan Blues), Jack Campagnolo, Ryan Castellaro, Ryan Ghietti, Joel Reithmuller, Colin Wilkie (Northern Pride). Chris Centrone, Josh Mantellato, Brenden Santi (all Wyong Roos), Mason Cerruto (Penrith Panthers), Gavin Hiscox (Central Queensland Capras), Jack Johns (Newcastle Knights), Richard Lepori (Oldham Roughyeds), Mark Minichiello (Hull FC), Nathan Milone, James Tedesco (Wests Tigers). Ricardo Parata (Burleigh Bears), Dean Parata (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles), Kieran Quabba (Townsville Blackhawks), Joey Tramontana (Canterbury Bulldogs), Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons), Shannon Wakeman (Huddersfield Giants), Jayden Walker (Cronulla Sharks).
Coach: Cameron Ciraldo.
Tedesco played for Italy in the 2013 World Cup.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Michael Marum’s side is dominated by Queensland Cup champions the PNG Hunters who have provided the bulk of the squad with NRL players David Mead, James Segeyaro, Nene Macdonald and Kurt Baptiste rounding things out.
Squad: Ase Boas, Enock Maki, Moses Meninga, Nixon Put, Stanton Albert, Stargroth Amean, Wartovo Puara Jr, Wellington Albert, Watson Boas, Willie Minoga (PNG Hunters), David Mead (Brisbane Broncos), James Segeyaro (Cronulla Sharks), Nene Macdonald (St George Illawarra Dragons), Kurt Baptise, Kato Ottio (Canberra Raiders), Rhyse Martin, Rod Griffin (Canterbury Bulldogs) Luke Page (Burleigh Bears), Lachlan Lam (Sydney Roosters), Garry Lo (Sheffield Eagles), Thompson Teteh (Redcliffe Dolphins), Paul Aiton (Catalans Dragons), Justin Olam (Sunshine Coast Falcons),
Coach: Michael Marum
Brad Fittler will coach Lebanon.
LEBANON
BRAD Fittler’s team has eight players with NRL experience, including skipper Robbie Farah, Mitchell Moses, Tim Mannah, Michael Lichaa, Alex Twal and Reece Robinson.
The Cedars have also included Raymond Sabat, who plays for Lebanese club Lycans FC.
FULL SQUAD: Robbie Farah (South Sydney), Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Danny Barakat (Wentworthville), Jamie Clark (Auburn Warriors), Adam Doueihi (South Sydney), James Elias (West Newcastle), Ahmad Ellaz (Auburn Warriors), Nick Kassis (Blacktown Workers), Andrew Kazzi (Wests Tigers), Anthony Layoun (Parramatta Eels), Michael Lichaa (Bulldogs), Mitchell Mamary (Wentworthville), Bilal Maarbani (Manly Sea Eagles), Abbas Miski (North Sydney), Tim Mannah (Parramatta Eels), Ray Moujalli (Bulldogs), Reece Robinson (unattached), Travis Robinson (Newtown), Chris Saab (Blacktown Workers), Raymond Sabat (Lycans FC), Jaleel Seve-Derbas (Wests Tigers), Elias Sukkar (Wentworthville), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), Jason Wehbe (unattached)
Coach: Brad Fittler
Source: The Daily Telegraph
