2008 Rugby League World Cup squads

Pool A

Australia

Head coach: Ricky Stuart Australia

Assistant coaches: John Cartwright and Allan Langer{{Cite news |access-date=6 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022005809/http://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/match_reaction/0%2C19936%2C11070_2920610%2C00.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 }}

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 AUS/ENG Assistant coach: Steve McNamara

New Zealand

Head coach: Stephen Kearney NZ Assistant coach: Wayne Bennett AUS

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 Papua New Guinea

Pool B

Fiji

Head coach: Joe Dakuitoga Fiji

France

Head coach: John Monie Australia

Scotland

Except for Edinburgh Eagles stand-off Paddy Couper, all of the Scottish team's players were selected under the grandparent rule.{{cite news | access-date = 21 November 2009}}

Head coach: Steve McCormack England

Pool C

Ireland

Head coach: Andy Kelly ENG

• Brett White was originally named but withdrew due to injury on 9 October. He was replaced by Brendan Guilfoyle.
• Shannon McDonnell has also withdrawn due to injury. He was replaced by Shayne McMenemy.

Samoa

Head coach: John Ackland NZ

Tonga

Head coach: Jim Dymock Australia

• Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki were originally named for Tonga but were ruled ineligible by the Rugby League International Federation after both switched from Tonga to New Zealand in 2007. A New South Wales court later ruled that they could join the team after 12 November, making them available if Tonga made the Semi-finals.
• Fraser and Louis Anderson both were originally named but withdrew due to injury. They were replaced by Kim Usai and Sam Moa.
• Anthony Tupou was originally named but withdrew on 9 October after being called into the Australian squad.

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 Australia

New Zealand Māori

Head coach: Luke Goodwin NZ

References

1. (September 2018)
2. [http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/10/08/fiji-ireland-samoa-scotland-and-tonga-sides.aspx Fiji, Ireland, Samoa, Scotland and Tonga sides] {{Webarchive. link. (11 October 2008 ''Official RLWC08 site'', 8 October 2008.)
3. link. (6 October 2017 ''NRL Official Site'', 16 October 2008)
4. link. (14 July 2011 ''NRL Official website'', 9 October 2008)
5. Geenty, Mark. (22 October 2008). "League: Shattered Soliola out of World Cup". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
6. (June 2017)
7. link. (14 July 2011 ''NRL Official site'', 13 October 2008)
8. link. (14 July 2011 ''NRL Official site'', 21 October 2008)
9. (24 September 2008). "France name official squad". RLWC2008.
10. link. (14 July 2011 @ '''NRL Official Site''', 17 October 2008)
11. link. (14 July 2011 @ '''NRL Official website''', 9 October 2008)
12. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10537372&ref=rss Ireland seething over treatment] @ '''NZ Herald''', 14 October 2008.
13. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7657596.stm Ireland suffer White injury blow] @ '''BBC''', 9 October 2008
14. link. (11 October 2008 @ '''NRL Official website''', 11 October 2008)
15. [http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/10/27/tonga-welcome-court-ruling-on-nrl-duo.aspx Tonga welcome court ruling on NRL duo] {{Webarchive. link. (31 October 2008 @ '''RLWC Official Website''', 28 October 2008)
16. [http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/10/09/indigenous-dreamtime-team-named.aspx Indigenous Dreamtime team named] {{webarchive. link. (1 January 2010 ''Official RLWC08 site'', 11 October 2008.)
17. {{usurped
18. [http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/10/22/maori-side-to-play-indigenous.aspx Maori side to play Indigenous]{{dead link. (June 2017)