Rugby League World Cup Round 2 Team Lists

Photo: Getty Images

Friday, 23 October — CommBank Stadium, Sydney

1. Lehi Hopoate

2. Sione Katoa

3. Tolutau Koula

4. Paul Alamoti

5. Jojo Fifita

6. Tuimoala Lolohea

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Salesi Foketi

10. Stefano Utoikamanu

11. Haumole Olakau'atu

12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Soni Luke

15. Taniela Paseka

16. Demitric Vaimauga

17. Leka Halasima

18. Latu Fainu

19. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Tonga changes: Sione Katoa and Paul Alamoti enter the starting backline, with Watene-Zelezniak moving to the bench and Robert Toia dropping to the reserves. Lolohea starts at five-eighth. Stefano Utoikamanu starts at prop, Taumalolo shifts to lock and Finefeuiaki starts in the second row. Taniela Paseka joins the interchange, while Tyson Frizell is rested.

Injury watch: Latu Fainu remains in the squad despite his suspected pectoral injury. His availability should be monitored closer to kick-off.

1. Jacob Kiraz

2. Tony Francis

3. Michael Gabrael

4. Jordan Samrani

5. Jason Saab

6. Khaled Rajab

7. Alex Conti

8. Jaxson Rahme

9. Moustafa Dirani

10. James Roumanos

11. Tony Sukkar

12. Mikael Ibrahim

13. Alex Twal

14. Yehya Ayache

15. Tupou Francis

16. Jalal Bazzaz

17. Khalil Rahme

18. Joseph Nohra

19. Abbas Miski

Lebanon changes: Moustafa Dirani has been promoted to the starting hooker role, with Yehya Ayache moving to the bench. The other named players remain in the 19.

Injury and team news: Lebanon are looking to respond after their opening loss to Papua New Guinea. Charbel Tasipale was reported unavailable in the latest team coverage.

Saturday, 24 October — Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

1. Morea Morea

2. Robert Derby

3. Zac Laybutt

4. Nene Macdonald

5. Dudley Dotoi

6. Gairo Voro

7. Bailey Biondi-Odo

8. Epel Kapinias

9. Edwin Ipape

10. Luca Moretti

11. Rhyse Martin

12. Nixon Putt

13. Jack de Belin

14. Finley Glare

15. Liam Horne

16. Valentine Richard

17. Khaiya Waiembi

18. Rodrick Tai

19. Josh Feledy

PNG changes: Bailey Biondi-Odo returns to the starting halfback position, with Epel Kapinias and Jack de Belin also promoted into the starting side. Khaiya Waiembi, Rodrick Tai and Josh Feledy are among the new interchange options. Sylvester Namo and Sanny Wabo drop to the reserves.

Injury watch: No major new injury was highlighted in the official team announcement. PNG will be hoping to maintain their momentum after opening the tournament with a victory.

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Brian To'o

3. Izack Tago

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Sualauvi Fa'alogo

6. Chanel Harris-Tavita

7. Jarome Luai

8. Francis Molo

9. Benaiah Ioelu

10. Junior Paulo

11. Connelly Lemuelu

12. Jermaine McEwen

13. Francis Manuleleua

14. Jazz Tevaga

15. Spencer Leniu

16. Shawn Blore

17. Ata Mariota

18. Clayton Faulalo

19. Ronald Volkman

Samoa changes: Sualauvi Fa'alogo replaces Deine Mariner on the wing. Ronald Volkman joins the interchange group.

Injury news: Mariner suffered hamstring tightness and left the field early in Samoa's opening match against France. Fa'alogo scored four tries after entering that game and now gets the starting opportunity.

England v France

Saturday, 24 October — HBF Park, Perth

1. AJ Brimson

2. Dominic Young

3. Hugo Savala

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Zach Eckersley

6. George Williams

7. Harry Smith

8. Max King

9. Brad O'Neill

10. Luke Thompson

11. Junior Nsemba

12. Kai Pearce-Paul

13. Victor Radley

14. Jez Litten

15. Ben Currie

16. Ethan Havard

17. Sam Walters

18. Jack Welsby

19. Matty Ashton

England changes: The announced 19-man squad is unchanged from the group that faced Tonga. Luke Thompson continues to start at prop, with Ben Currie included on the interchange bench.

Injury news: Morgan Knowles missed the opening game after suffering an injury in training and remains unavailable in the latest team information. Morgan Smithies has been ruled out of the tournament following an injury at training, with Kallum Watkins named as his replacement in the wider squad.

1. Arthur Mourgue

2. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet

3. Latrell Siegwalt

4. Romeo Tropis

5. Benjamin Laguerre

6. Thomas Lacans

7. Theo Fages

8. Romain Navarrete

9. Amir Bourouh

10. Julian Bousquet

11. Arthur Romano

12. Mathieu Jussaume

13. Benjamin Garcia

14. Cesar Rouge

15. Lambert Belmas

16. Mathieu Cozza

17. Louis Grossemy

18. Jordan Dezaria

19. Fouad Yaha

France changes: Romeo Tropis enters at centre, pushing Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet onto the wing. Thomas Lacans starts at five-eighth, with Cesar Rouge moving to the bench. Benjamin Garcia shifts to lock, Amir Bourouh starts at hooker, and Julian Bousquet starts at prop. Leo Darrelatour drops out of the 19.

Injury and team news: France are looking to improve after their opening match against Samoa. Their reshuffle gives them a different combination through the spine and middle forwards.

Sunday, 25 October — One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

1. Keano Kini

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

4. Casey McLean

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Kodi Nikorima

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Moses Leota

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. James Fisher-Harris

11. Xavier Willison

12. Scott Sorensen

13. Erin Clark

14. Te Maire Martin

15. Leo Thompson

16. Tanner Stowers-Smith

17. Jacob Laban

18. Isaiah Papali'i

19. Briton Nikora

New Zealand changes: Kini replaces Ponga at fullback, while Nicoll-Klokstad starts in the centres and Dane Gagai drops to the reserves. Moses Leota is included among the reserves in the official squad information, while Joseph Tapine shifts from lock to prop. Erin Clark takes the No.13 jersey, with Willison and Sorensen starting in the back row. Papali'i and Nikora move to the bench.

Injury news: Ponga's broken arm rules him out of the match and is a major blow for the Kiwis. New Zealand have also rotated their forwards, with Naufahu Whyte among those rested.

1. Valentine Holmes

2. Paul Ulberg

3. KL Iro

4. Reubenn Rennie

5. Cameron Brown

6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio

7. Brad Takairangi

8. Davvy Moale

9. Rua Ngatikaura

10. Rhys Dakin

11. Amare Milford

12. Delahia Wigmore

13. Mason Teague

14. Esan Marsters

15. K-CI Newton-Whare

16. David Tuariki

17. Makahesi Makatoa

18. Chaev Kolone

19. Glassie Glassie

Cook Islands changes: Valentine Holmes returns at fullback after overcoming an ankle injury. Brad Takairangi comes into the starting halves, with Esan Marsters moving to the interchange.

Injury news: Holmes' return is a significant boost for the Cook Islands. They will need a strong performance after their opening defeat to Fiji.

Sunday, 25 October — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

1. James Tedesco

2. Jack Bostock

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Bradman Best

5. Tom Trbojevic

6. Tom Dearden

7. Sam Walker

8. Keaon Koloamatangi

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Lindsay Smith

11. David Fifita

12. Reuben Cotter

13. Cameron Murray

14. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

15. Jacob Preston

16. Patrick Carrigan

17. Cameron Munster

18. Reece Walsh

19. Latrell Mitchell

Australia changes: Tedesco returns at fullback, with Best, Walker, Brailey and Lindsay Smith also coming into the side. Walker and Brailey are set for their Test debuts. Dearden starts at five-eighth after replacing Moses in the previous game. Several players who started last week, including Munster, Walsh and Latrell Mitchell, move to the interchange.

Injury news: Mitchell Moses has been ruled out after suffering a serious leg injury against New Zealand. The extent of the injury means Australia must find a new halfback combination for the remainder of the tournament.

1. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Waqa Blake

4. Solomone Saukuru

5. Semi Valemei

6. Kurt Donoghoe

7. Brandon Wakeham

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Apisai Koroisau

10. Mitchell Prest

11. Taane Milne

12. Kitione Kautoga

13. Caleb Navale

14. Josese Lanyon

15. Emosi Ravosai

16. Elijah Keung

17. Ronald Philitoga

18. Jordin Leiu

19. Apenisa Driti

Fiji changes: Fiji have named the same 19-man squad that defeated the Cook Islands in their opening match. Captain Apisai Koroisau will again lead the side, with Brandon Wakeham steering the attack at halfback.

Injury and team news: Fiji have no major new changes listed in the official team announcement. They will be looking to carry their attacking momentum into a much tougher match against the defending champions.