The 2008 Rugby League World Cup featured the national teams (selected from twenty-four-man squads) of ten nations: Australia, England, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, France, Scotland, Ireland, Samoa, and Tonga.

Pool A

Australia

Head coach: Ricky Stuart 🇦🇺 Assistant coaches: John Cartwright and Allan Langer 1 Replaced originally selected Brett Stewart and Justin Hodges who withdrew on 16 October. 2 Replaced originally selected Michael Crocker who withdrew due to injury on 9 October.

England

Head coach: Tony Smith 🇦🇺/🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Assistant coach: Steve McNamara

New Zealand

Head coach: Stephen Kearney Assistant coach: Wayne Bennett 🇦🇺 1 Replaced originally named Iosia Soliola who withdrew due to injury on 21 October. 2 Replaced originally named Brent Webb and Jeff Lima who withdrew due to injury on 7 October.

Papua New Guinea

Head coach: Adrian Lam 🇵🇬

Pool B

Fiji

Head coach: Joe Dakuitoga 🇫🇯

France

Head coach: John Monie 🇦🇺

Scotland

Except for Edinburgh Eagles stand-off Paddy Couper, all of the Scottish team's players were selected under the grandparent rule. Head coach: Steve McCormack 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Pool C

Ireland

Head coach: Andy Kelly 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Samoa

Head coach: John Ackland

Tonga

Head coach: Jim Dymock 🇦🇺

Welcome to Country

As part of the official opening of the World Cup on 26 October, an exhibition game was played between an Aboriginal selection and a New Zealand Māori side.

Indigenous Dreamtime Team

Head coach: Neil Henry 🇦🇺

New Zealand Māori

Head coach: Luke Goodwin

Notes and references

Positions