Australia , New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will host matches during the upcoming Rugby League World Cup , with the final being staged in Brisbane on November 15.
There will be 10 teams competing in the 17 th renewal of this tournament, but the odds suggest that PNG , France , Fiji , Lebanon and the Cook Islands will need a miracle to prevail.
That leaves five genuine contenders for us to consider and here we rank them in reverse order:
Tonga
5. TONGA @ 14/1
Outstanding Dolphins half-back Isaiya Katoa will have Queensland State of Origin backs Rob Toia and Jojo Fifita in support as Tonga look to improve on a narrow quarter-final loss to Samoa in 2021, having enjoyed an emotional run to the semis four years earlier.
However, the fear is that a forward pack featuring 33-year-old captain Jason Taumalolo and new 35-year-old recruit Tyson Frizell may just have seen better days, especially after a disappointing Pacific Championship 12 months ago.
Samoa
4. SAMOA @ 7/1
Made it all the way to the final five years ago after edging out Tonga 20-18 and then shading England 27-26 via Stephen Crichton’s golden point drop goal.
Crichton will again team up with former Penrith Panthers pals Jarome Luai , Spencer Leniu and Brian To’o , while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is another big weapon in a powerful back-line, but the key will be to stay disciplined up front.
England
3. ENGLAND @ 12/1
N ew head coach Brian McDermott caused a bit of a stir by leaving out Leeds playmaker Jake Connor but a half-back pairing of George Williams and Harry Smith gives England excellent kicking options and plays to their strengths.
Hugo Savala and Victor Radley join the squad fresh from helping Sydney Roosters lift the NRL Grand Final trophy, while Herbie Farnworth and Dom Young are also coming off strong seasons Down Under , so the talent is there.
Last year’s 3-0 Ashes Series drubbing by Australia was a wake-up call that suggests a first World Cup triumph since 1972 is unlikely, but the feeling is that a hard-working England unit is capable of doing better than many expect.
16 Points Ahead Early Payout
16 Points Ahead Early Payout
Rugby League can be a wild ride. With BOYLE Sports' Early Payout offer, once your team goes 16 points ahead, you don't have to ride it out. Your bet is paid out as a winner on the spot, even if they go on to lose. T&Cs apply.
New Zealand
2. NEW ZEALAND @ 2/1
The Kiwis are the only team other than Australia to have lifted this trophy over the past 50 years, upsetting their neighbours in 2008, and they did push the Kangaroos close before going down 16-14 at Elland Road in the 2021 semis.
Last year’s 36-14 defeat of Samoa in the Pacific Championships final established them as the best of the rest again and they boast this season’s top two NRL props in c aptain James Fisher-Harris and Roosters star Naufahu Whyte.
Capturing the services of Newcastle Knights full-back Kalyn Ponga following changes to the international eligibility rules was a real coup and the draw is set up so that they will not meet Australia at the last-four stage this time around.
Australia
1. AUSTRALIA @ 4/6
Kangaroos boss Kevin Walters , who will take charge of St Helens next season, has come under fire for picking his squad on reputations, rather than recent form, with star names like Reece Walsh , Cameron Munster , Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell coming off mixed NRL campaigns.
Sticking with tried and tested players who have been there and done it all before is an understandable gameplan, though, and that incredible winning mentality the Aussies possess is always hard to deny when it comes down to the business end of this tournament.
All-action forwards like Isaah Yeo , Harry Grant, Liam Martin and Cameron Murray should again lay the platform for the Kangaroos ’ special talents to play with freedom and a fourth straight World Cup triumph is hard to oppose.
Bet on Rugby League Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
Not all opinions are equal. The BOYLE Sports Team is made up of experts who know the sports and betting world inside out, delivering the kind of insights and analysis that give you a real edge where it matters most.
