Australian selectors have today named a
46-man squad for their defence of the Rugby League World Cup starting in
October.
It is spearheaded by experienced campaigners
Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva, Danny Buderus, Cam Smith and Steve Price; and
features the exciting talents of players such as Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and
Israel Folau, who are among 10 Storm team-mates in the squad.
The squad also includes 11 players yet to
debut for Australia at senior level – Ben Cross (Knights), Robbie Farah
(Tigers), Michael Jennings (Panthers), Anthony Laffranchi (Titans), Joel
Monaghan (Raiders), Nate Myles (Roosters), Josh Perry, Glenn Stewart, Anthony
Watmough (Eagles), Justin Poore (Dragons), Anthony Quinn (Storm) .
Australian coach Ricky Stuart said
today's squad announcement would give all players with hopes of representing
the Kangaroos in the 29-day tournament featuring 10 nations something to think
about in the final rounds of the NRL.
"We will choose the final team of 24 on
October 6 after the NRL Grand Final," Stuart said.
"The final team can include players not
featured in the squad announced today, which serves to put players on notice
that the Cup is just around the corner and selectors are closely monitoring form.
"The announcement is a reminder to those
named that selectors are looking at them very seriously; and to those who are
disappointed at not being named, there is still some work to be done, but they
are by no means out of contention."
Australia's campaign for a finals berth
includes the Opening Ceremony against New Zealand on October 26 at the Sydney Football Stadium, Australia's
Centenary encounter against England at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on November 2 and a
match against Papua New
Guinea in Townsville on November 9.
The Semi-Finals will be played at Brisbane's
Suncorp Stadium on November 15 and the Sydney Football Stadium on November 16;
with the November 22 Final at Suncorp Stadium already selling out its public
allocation of tickets.
2008 Australian KangaroosRugby League World Cup Squad
