After their sensational run to the semi-finals in 2017, which could have gone even better had a last-second refereeing decision gone their way, Tonga are being tipped by many to reach the Rugby League World Cup final this autumn. Kristian Woolf, fresh off the back of a third straight Betfred Super League title with St Helens, now resumes charge of arguably the most talented Tongan team ever.
But the Mate Ma’a have to deal with an eclectic Group D line-up before they can start to concern themselves with the knockout stage…
TONGA
World ranking: 2
Betfred odds: Group winners: 1/16, To reach final: 5/2, To win RLWC: 12/1
Best RLWC: Semi-Finalists (2017)
2017: Semi-Finalists (lost 20-18 to England)
With Jason Taumalolo, David Fifita, Konrad Hurrell, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Tui Lolohea and other key members from 2017 still forming a crucial part of their squad, Tonga have a real hope of making a play for the world title this year. With a settled group of players and a draw which sees them avoid Australia before the final, the biggest threat they could face is meeting both England and Samoa in the space of a week in the knockout stage.
But before then they should be the runaway victors in Group D given their strength relative to the other three sides. Kristian Woolf has only known winning for the last three years, and it would take a brave punter to back against him pushing Tonga close to glory too.
Player to watch: Jason Taumalolo
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
World ranking: 5
Betfred odds: Group winners: 7/1, To reach final: 40/1, To win RLWC: 150/1
Best RLWC: Fourth place (1988)
2017: Quarter-Finalists (lost 36-6 to England)
Despite being an established part of the international order for the last 40 years, Papua New Guinea still have a habit of being underestimated come World Cup time. They were sensational on home territory five years ago until bowing out to England in Perth but in 2022 they don’t have David Mead or Paul Aiton to call upon.
Nene Macdonald, skipper Rhyse Martin, Justin Olam and Xavier Coates will be among those helping to make them competitive, but if they can get out of their group for the second tournament running then their quarter-final will be considered something of a free hit.
Player to watch: Rhyse Martin
WALES
World ranking: 16
Betfred odds: Group winners: 66/1, To reach final: 250/1, To win RLWC: 500/1
Best RLWC: Semi-Finalists (1995, 2000)
2017: Group stage (bottom of Group C)
It’s hard to remember a World Cup campaign ahead of which Wales were so unfancied. Their last two campaigns have ended with three successive group defeats, and in 2017 they scored just 18 points against 156 conceded in a hugely forgettable display.
None of their three try scorer of five years ago remain in the set-up, with Morgan Knowles now playing for England, Regan Grace having defected to rugby union and North Wales Crusaders’ Ben Morris not making the final 24-player squad. John Kear will have to summon all of his experience of cup upsets to avoid his side suffering a similar fate to their last couple of tilts.
Player to watch: Rhys Williams
COOK ISLANDS
World ranking: 20
Betfred odds: Group winners: 66/1, To reach final: 200/1, To win RLWC: 500/1
Best RLWC: Group stage (2000, 2013)
2017: Did not qualify (lost 28-8 to Tonga in final qualifier)
Any squad boasting the likes of Dylan Napa, Zane Tetevano, Brad Takairangi and Esan Marsters needs to be taken seriously, and while they’ll have to beat a couple of higher seeds to make it beyond the group stage for the first time in their World Cup history, it shouldn’t be taken for granted that they can’t achieve that.
Former Wigan and New Zealand legend Tony Iro will be targeting the first two Group D games against Wales and Papua New Guinea as the winnable ones which would send them into dreamland, but his main concern will be over a lack of strength in depth in his 24-man squad.
Player to watch: Esan Marsters
Group D fixtures:
Tuesday: Tonga v Papua New Guinea (St Helens, 7:30)
Wednesday: Wales v Cook Islands (Leigh, 7:30)
Monday 24th October: Tonga v Wales (St Helens, 7:30)
Tuesday 25th October: Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands (Warrington, 7:30)
Sunday 30th October: Tonga v Cook Islands (Middlesbrough, 2:30)
Monday 31st October: Papua New Guinea v Wales (Doncaster, 7:30)
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
