2017 Rugby League World Cup squads
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup featured fourteen international teams, with each consisting of a twenty-four-man squad.
Pool A
Australia
Head coach: 
Mal Meninga[1]
Australia's 24-man squad is composed entirely of players who play in the NRL. In the days following the initial squad announcement, Andrew Fifita withdrew from the squad in order to represent Tonga while Darius Boyd withdrew due to an ongoing hamstring injury. Campbell-Gillard and Mansour were named as the respective replacements.[2][3] Seven members of the squad are uncapped for the Kangaroos (Campbell-Gillard, Gagai, Graham, Kaufusi, McLean, Munster, and T. Trbojevic).
England
Head coach: Wayne Bennett[4]
Uncapped players Currie and Walmsley have been included in a squad that is very similar to the one that was named to played Samoa earlier in the year. Zak Hardaker was not considered for selection after he tested positive for cocaine four weeks prior to the squad announcement, the details of which were publicly reported only hours before said announcement.[5] All 24 players were selected from the top-tier Super League or NRL competitions.
| Player | Games | Points | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Bateman | 5 | 8 |  Wigan Warriors
|
| Kevin Brown | 3 | 0 | Warrington Wolves
|
| Sam Burgess | 3 | 0 | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Tom Burgess | 5 | 4 | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Ben Currie | 5 | 8 | Warrington Wolves
|
| Luke Gale | 5 | 0 | Castleford Tigers
|
| James Graham | 5 | 4 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
|
| Ryan Hall | 4 | 8 | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Chris Heighington | 2 | 0 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
|
| Chris Hill | 5 | 0 | Warrington Wolves
|
| Josh Hodgson | 4 | 0 | Canberra Raiders
|
| Jonny Lomax | 1 | 0 | St. Helens
|
| Jermaine McGillvary | 5 | 28 | Huddersfield Giants
|
| Mike McMeeken | 1 | 0 | Castleford Tigers
|
| Sean O'Loughlin (c) | 5 | 0 | Wigan Warriors
|
| Mark Percival | 1 | 4 | St. Helens
|
| Stefan Ratchford | 2 | 4 | Warrington Wolves
|
| James Roby | 4 | 0 | St. Helens
|
| Scott Taylor | 1 | 0 | Hull F.C.
|
| Alex Walmsley | 4 | 4 | St. Helens
|
| Kallum Watkins | 4 | 12 | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Elliott Whitehead | 4 | 0 | Canberra Raiders
|
| Gareth Widdop | 5 | 41 | St. George Illawarra Dragons
|
| George Williams | 2 | 0 | Wigan Warriors
|
France
Head coach: 
Aurélien Cologni
In addition to the twenty-four man squad, four players were named as alternatives: Kevin Larroyer, Lambert Belmas, Rémy Marginet and Ilias Bergal.[6]
Gadwin Springer was initially named in the squad but withdrew due to a groin injury. He was replaced by Belmas.[7]
Guillaume Bonnet was initially named in the squad but withdrew due to a ligament injury. He was replaced by Marginet.[8] Hakim Miloudi was initially named in the squad but was dropped due to disciplinary reasons. He was replaced by Bergal.[9]
Lebanon
Head coach: Brad Fittler[10]
Reece Robinson was initially named in the squad but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Daniel Abou-Sleiman.
| Player | Games | Points | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Abou-Sleiman | 1 | 0 | Unattached |
| Danny Barakat | 1 | 0 | Wentworthville Magpies
|
| Jamie Clark | 3 | 0 | Auburn Warriors
|
| Adam Doueihi | 4 | 8 | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| James Elias | 3 | 4 | Wests Newcastle
|
| Ahmad Ellaz | 4 | 0 | Auburn Warriors
|
| Robbie Farah (c) | 4 | 0 | South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
| Nick Kassis | 3 | 4 | Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles
|
| Andrew Kazzi | 2 | 0 | Wests Tigers
|
| Anthony Layoun | 3 | 4 | Parramatta Eels
|
| Michael Lichaa | 4 | 0 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
|
| Bilal Maarbani | 1 | 0 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
|
| Mitchell Mamary | 4 | 0 | Auburn Warriors
|
| Tim Mannah | 4 | 0 | Parramatta Eels
|
| Abbas Miski | 4 | 8 | North Sydney Bears
|
| Mitchell Moses (vc) | 4 | 21 | Parramatta Eels
|
| Ray Moujalli | 3 | 0 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
|
| Travis Robinson | 3 | 8 | Newtown Jets
|
| Chris Saab | 1 | 0 | Guildford Owls
|
| Raymond Sabat | 0 | 0 |  Lycans FC
|
| Jaleel Seve-Derbas | 1 | 0 | Wests Tigers
|
| Elias Sukkar | 3 | 0 | Auburn Warriors
|
| Alex Twal | 4 | 0 | Wests Tigers
|
| Jason Wehbe | 4 | 4 | Unattached |
Pool B
New Zealand
Head coach: 
David Kidwell[11]
Kevin Proctor and captain Jesse Bromwich were not considered for selection after being caught buying and using cocaine following the 2017 Anzac Test in May;[12] Blair was subsequently named captain for the tournament.[13] Five uncapped players (Asofa-Solomona, Fonua-Blake, Levi, Liu, and Takairangi) are included in the squad as Tohu Harris, Jordan Kahu, Kieran Foran, and Ben Matulino were ruled out by injury, while Jason Taumalolo opted to represent his Tongan heritage over the Kiwis.
Samoa
Head coach: Matt Parish[14]
Sione Mata'utia and Tautau Moga were initially named in the squad but withdrew due to injury. They were replaced by Lafai and Winterstein.[15] Luai, Musgrove, Papalii, and Tevaga are the only uncapped players for Samoa, with Luai making an unexpected appearance in the squad as the only player without NRL experience.[16]
Scotland
Head coach: Steve McCormack[17]
Ryan Brierley was originally selected, but withdrew after failing a fitness test. He was replaced by Oakes.[18] Brooks, Brough, and Walker were dropped on 5 November for disciplinary reasons.[19]
| Player | Games | Points | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Addy | 3 | 12 | Hull Kingston Rovers
|
| Jarred Anderson | 2 | 0 | Sydney Roosters
|
| James Bell | 3 | 0 | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Andrew Bentley | 2 | 0 | Toulouse Olympique
|
| Kane Bentley | 3 | 0 | Toulouse Olympique
|
| Sam Brooks | 2 | 0 | Featherstone Rovers
|
| Danny Brough (c) | 2 | 0 | Huddersfield Giants
|
| Luke Douglas (vc) | 3 | 0 | St. Helens
|
| Dale Ferguson | 3 | 0 | Huddersfield Giants
|
| Ben Hellewell | 3 | 0 | London Broncos
|
| Ben Kavanagh | 3 | 0 | Hull Kingston Rovers
|
| Frankie Mariano | 2 | 4 | Featherstone Rovers
|
| Kieran Moran | 0 | 0 | Hull Kingston Rovers
|
| Will Oakes | 1 | 0 | Hull Kingston Rovers
|
| Callum Phillips | 2 | 0 | Workington Town
|
| Matty Russell | 3 | 0 | Warrington Wolves
|
| David Scott | 0 | 0 | Batley Bulldogs
|
| Lachlan Stein | 3 | 0 | Penrith Panthers
|
| Oscar Thomas | 2 | 4 | Bradford Bulls
|
| Lewis Tierney | 3 | 4 | Wigan Warriors
|
| Shane Toal | 1 | 0 | Barrow Raiders
|
| Alex Walker | 1 | 0 | London Broncos
|
| Jonathan Walker | 2 | 0 | Darlington Point Roosters
|
| Brandan Wilkinson | 2 | 0 | Bradford Bulls
|
Tonga
Head coach: Kristian Woolf[20]
Pool C
Ireland
Head coach: Mark Aston[21]
Mikey Russell is the travelling reserve.[22] Toby King was initially named in the squad but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Michael Morgan.[23]
| Player | Games | Points | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Amor | 3 | 4 | St. Helens
|
| Ed Chamberlain | 3 | 0 | Widnes Vikings
|
| Casey Dunne | 0 | 0 |  Athboy Longhorns
|
| Liam Finn (c) | 3 | 28 | Wakefield Trinity
|
| Scott Grix (vc) | 3 | 0 | Wakefield Trinity
|
| Matty Hadden | 1 | 0 | Rochdale Hornets
|
| James Hasson | 2 | 0 | Wakefield Trinity
|
| Jack Higginson | 0 | 0 | Wigan Warriors
|
| Will Hope | 1 | 0 | Sheffield Eagles
|
| Liam Kay | 3 | 12 |  Toronto Wolfpack
|
| James Kelly | 0 | 0 | Sheffield Eagles
|
| Joe Keyes | 1 | 0 | Bradford Bulls
|
| George King | 3 | 4 | Warrington Wolves
|
| Tyrone McCarthy | 2 | 0 | Salford Red Devils
|
| Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook | 3 | 4 | St. Helens
|
| Shannon McDonnell | 3 | 0 | Camden Rams
|
| Michael McIlorum | 3 | 4 | Wigan Warriors
|
| Alan McMahon | 0 | 0 | Waterford Vikings
|
| Michael Morgan | 2 | 4 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
|
| Anthony Mullally | 3 | 0 | Leeds Rhinos
|
| Api Pewhairangi | 3 | 4 | London Broncos
|
| Joe Philbin | 3 | 4 | Warrington Wolves
|
| Oliver Roberts | 3 | 8 | Huddersfield Giants
|
| Brad Singleton | 3 | 0 | Leeds Rhinos
|
Papua New Guinea
Head coach: 
Michael Marum[24]
Wales
| Player | Games | Points | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Ansell | 1 | 0 | Hunslet
|
| Matt Barron | 2 | 0 | Newcastle Thunder
|
| Gavin Bennion | 0 | 0 | Rochdale Hornets
|
| Joe Burke | 2 | 0 | Oldham R.L.F.C.
|
| Chester Butler | 1 | 0 | Halifax
|
| Michael Channing | 3 | 0 | London Broncos
|
| Courtney Davies | 3 | 6 | Gloucestershire All Golds
|
| Ben Evans | 3 | 0 | London Broncos
|
| Matty Fozard | 3 | 0 | Sheffield Eagles
|
| Andrew Gay | 2 | 0 |  South Wales Ironmen
|
| Regan Grace | 3 | 4 | St. Helens
|
| Dalton Grant | 1 | 0 | London Broncos
|
| Sam Hopkins | 1 | 0 | Leigh Centurions
|
| Phil Joseph (vc) | 3 | 0 | Workington Town
|
| Elliot Kear (vc) | 3 | 0 | London Broncos
|
| Morgan Knowles | 3 | 4 | St. Helens
|
| Craig Kopczak (c) | 3 | 0 | Salford Red Devils
|
| Rhodri Lloyd | 3 | 0 | Swinton Lions
|
| Ben Morris | 2 | 4 | St. Helens
|
| Steve Parry | 3 | 0 | Gloucestershire All Golds
|
| Josh Ralph | 1 | 0 | Tweed Heads Seagulls
|
| Christiaan Roets | 1 | 0 | South Wales Ironmen
|
| Matt Seamark | 1 | 0 | Wynnum Manly Seagulls
|
| Rhys Williams | 3 | 0 | London Broncos
|
Pool D
Fiji
Head coach: Mick Potter[26]
Nabua Broncos' Etuate Bola was named as a reserve player. Sokobalavu was called into the squad following injuries to Evans and K. Sims.[27][28]
Italy
Head coach: 
Cameron Ciraldo
Italy named a squad of 33 players before shortening the squad to 24 players.[29] Four shadow players were also named: Jake Campagnolo, Dean Parata, Ricardo Parata, and Kieran Quabba.[30]
United States
Head coach: Brian McDermott[31][32]
The Hawks continue to support the growth of rugby league in the United States by selecting fourteen players who have played in the amateur USA Rugby League competition, three of whom have since been signed by professional clubs (Burroughs, Eichner, and Offerdahl). Nine members of the squad (Faraimo, Farley, Freed, both Howard brothers, Marando, Offerdahl, Pettybourne, and Shipway) previously represented the Tomahawks at the 2013 World Cup, and three players have experience in the NRL, all of whom are eligible to represent the US through their American Samoan heritage (Faraimo, Pettybourne, and Vaivai). Samoa, also of American Samoan descent, was a late inclusion to the squad due to an injury to Matt Walsh.[33]
| Player | Games | Points | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Alley | 1 | 0 |  Central Florida Warriors
|
| Ryan Burroughs | 3 | 0 | Toronto Wolfpack
|
| CJ Cortalano | 1 | 0 | White Plains Wombats
|
| Joe Eichner | 2 | 0 | Toronto Wolfpack
|
| Bureta Faraimo | 3 | 4 | New Zealand Warriors
|
| Gabriel Farley | 2 | 0 | Philadelphia Fight
|
| Kristian Freed | 3 | 0 | White Plains Wombats
|
| Daniel Howard | 3 | 0 | Wentworthville Magpies
|
| Stephen Howard | 2 | 0 | Mount Pritchard Mounties
|
| Martwain Johnston | 1 | 0 | Delaware Black Foxes
|
| Andrew Kneisly | 1 | 0 | Philadelphia Fight
|
| Corey Makelim | 3 | 0 | Mount Pritchard Mounties
|
| Fotukava Malu | 1 | 0 | Atlanta Rhinos
|
| David Marando | 3 | 0 | Belrose Eagles
|
| Nick Newlin | 1 | 0 | Atlanta Rhinos
|
| Mark Offerdahl (c) | 3 | 0 | London Broncos
|
| Eddy Pettybourne | 3 | 0 | Gold Coast Titans
|
| Josh Rice | 3 | 0 | New York Knights
|
| Tui Samoa | 3 | 0 | Young Cherrypickers
|
| Matt Shipway | 2 | 4 | South Newcastle Lions
|
| Sam Tochterman-Talbott | 2 | 0 | Tweed Heads Seagulls
|
| David Ulch | 2 | 0 | Tampa Mayhem
|
| Taioalo "Junior" Vaivai | 3 | 4 | Western Suburbs Red Devils
|
| Matt Walsh | 0 | 0 | White Plains Wombats
|
References
- ^ "Australian rugby league World Cup squad named". news.com.au. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Fifita betrayal creates World Cup mayhem". news.com.au. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Josh Mansour called into Kangaroos squad". RLWC2017.com. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "England Rugby League World Cup 2017 squad announced". rugby-league.com. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "Zak Hardaker: Castleford Tigers full-back banned after positive drugs test". BBC. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "Dragons Catalans › News › 2017 › Oct. › 7 Dragons named in France Squad". Les Dragons Catalans. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ FFRXIII (5 October 2017). "XIII de France : Lambert Belmas à la rescousse - Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII". www.ffr13.fr. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ FFRXIII (14 October 2017). "Marginet en renfort parmi les 24 Bleus - Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII". www.ffr13.fr. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Hull FC's Hakim Miloudi kicked out of France World Cup squad". Hull Daily Mail. 15 October 2017.
- ^ "Lebanon Announce Squad for RLWC2017". lebanonrl.com. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ "Kiwis World Cup squad named". NRL.com. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ Pandaram, Jamie (8 May 2017). "Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor pay big price after being caught up in drugs scandal". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "New Zealand coach David Kidwell names Adam Blair captain for the Rugby League WC". Fox Sports. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "Samoa announce 24-man squad for RLWC2017". Pacific Scoop. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ "Lafai, Winterstein into Samoa squad". NRL.com. 6 October 2017. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ Newton, Alicia (6 October 2017). "Panther Luai bolts into Samoa side". NRL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "SEVEN NEWCOMERS AMONG FAMILIAR BRAVEHEARTS". Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Brierley out for Scotland in RL World Cup". Archived from the original on 2017-10-16. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Scotland sack three players including captain Danny Brough from World Cup side". news.com.au. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Fifita, Taumalolo in Tonga World Cup squad". 4 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Rugby League World Cup: Ireland name squad". BBC Sport. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Rugby League World Cup squads". 12 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Michael Morgan called up by Ireland to replace injured Toby King - Independent.ie". 14 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "PNG Kumuls name World Cup squad". 4 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "24-man squad for RLWC2017 revealed". walesrugbyleague.co.uk. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ^ "Fiji Bati World Cup squad announced in Suva". RLWC2017.com. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
- ^ Waqa, Save (30 October 2017). "Pio Sokobalavu to replace Korbin Sims in RLWC". Fiji Village. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ Baleilevuka, Rusiate (3 November 2017). "Sokobalavu joins Fiji Bati camp today". Fiji Village. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Azzurri name squad for World Cup". 5 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Rugby League World Cup – Gli azzurri" (in Italian). Federazione Italia Rugby League. 10 October 2017. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ "Team USA". RLWC2017.com. 24 September 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ^ "USA name squad for up-coming Rugby League World Cup". 3news.co.nz. 24 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "Rugby League Planet - Match Report: USA outclassed by Fiji in Townsville". www.rugbyleagueplanet.com. Retrieved 11 November 2017.