www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/austra ... 18a0691317 Very strong squad announced, but with some notable players left out. AUSTRALIA: Backs: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Tom Trbojevic, Josh Dugan, Valentine Holmes, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster, Michael Morgan, James Maloney. Forwards: Aaron Woods, David Klemmer, Josh McGuire, Andrew Fifita, Jake Trobojevic, Jordan McLean, Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett, Tyson Frizell, Wade Graham, Felise Kaufusi, Cameron Smith, Ben Hunt.

www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/austra ... 18a0691317 Very strong squad announced, but with some notable players left out. AUSTRALIA: Backs: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Tom Trbojevic, Josh Dugan, Valentine Holmes, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster, Michael Morgan, James Maloney. Forwards: Aaron Woods, David Klemmer, Josh McGuire, Andrew Fifita, Jake Trobojevic, Jordan McLean, Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett, Tyson Frizell, Wade Graham, Felise Kaufusi, Cameron Smith, Ben Hunt.

Not sure why they picked Boyd given his injury. Tedesco would be a better inclusion. Hunt as backup hooker is a bit poor but they have Smith so doesn't really matter.

They have more than enough there to beat England and NZ.

Which big names have they left out? Hope we acquit ourselves better than during the Four Nations.

we should just get all eligible England players ie backs then forwards, put there names i a hat and draw them out to pick the squad. because regardless of who we pick we have very little chance of winning anyway. i'm usually pretty positive regarding international RL but just don't have muck/any interest in this. England have no chance NZ Australia final and Australia will win.

Tedesco, Paul Vaughan, Josh Jackson, Blake Ferguson and obviously Thurston who is injured.

So you have no interest yet you open up a "RLWC" thread & pour a bucket of negativity on it? Awesome, thanks for the contribution.

I’d give them the trophy now.

Some poor picks though - Dugan, Woods, Maloney, Hunt, Holmes

Its an interesting comment because it is pretty much how i feel after watching last years 4 nations it was a complete walk over for the Aussies BUT, it was only a 3 years ago we got very very close to beating both in the 4 nations over there and NZ won that event and looked the best side in the world at that time with Johnson killing it. I would never write off the kiwis with their pedigree at the big comps over the last decade but yeah, don't really find much hope for us bar plenty of straw clutching, i just hope we can play some good stuff and compete, 2008 was a complete farce we don't need that again.

Surprised they left out Sam Thaiday to be honest.

Tedesco very unlucky to miss out IMO. He's been the best full back in the NRL this season.

I have a feeling they'll start Cronk and Munster in the halves and put Morgan on the bench as Utility Back/Spare Hooker.

No Greg Inglis.

Or Matt Scott

Did his ACL in Week 2, put him out for the season. Was never in a position to be in the WC squad after spending the season on the sidelines.

Tedesco is in the Italy squad.

And boy is he not happy about It!!

Thaiday hasn't been picked because he hasn't been good enough.

Is Wood's really a poor pick? the dudes just won Daly M Prop of year. I know plenty thought he didn't deserve it & there's a bit of you either love him, or think he's average thing that goes on down under, but the guy's a workhorse, averages 160m a game and 28 tackles. For all the moans that Vaughn didn't get it, his stats are hardly any better than Woods at 144 meters a game and 30 tackles. Like they generally do down under, especially in the pack, they've gone with the more experienced and more consistant Prop over a few years. Vaughn's been a bit of a one season wonder so far in his career.

Agree with others Tedesco should have been in their at FB.

Agree, no way he should of been picked, if he had it would of been on just his rep. Also I'm not sure if he's not happy because he's not picked, or because he ddn't hear it straight from Mal Meninga after all his service to Aus

Just read his rant this morning, it sounds like he's more bothered about not being told in person but rather from a leaked news report. Can't argue with that tbf.

No Taumalolo or Harris or Luke in the Kiwi squad apparently. No Foran, Proctor or Jesse Bromwich either. Australia walkover then. Still, I'll enjoy watching.

I meant that if Scott was fit, he would be a certain pick.

If we don't make the final, something is really really wrong. Basically the players will have bottled it. We can have a real dig at Australia too. Just got to get over that psychological hurdle.

Sorry, mis-read what you meant!

In terms of the physiological side of things, like you I feel we could have a real go. Yes Australia have a good squad but we have come closer to beating better Aussie squads in the past. Let's see how the first group game goes. I can see us putting up a real fight. To capitulate in the last 10 minutes! Hopefully not though!

I think we'll struggle to match it with Australia. They beat us easily at home last year. Against NZ we have a better chance as their pack is weaker. Even then away from home it'll be tough. We should beat Tonga and Samoa even though they'll have a few Aussies and Kiwis in their line ups.

I think we have a better squad than people think. But if it's if they perform is the question. Difference between this year and in 08, we have a lot of players who play regularly against Thurston, Slater, Cronk etc and have performed outstanding in the league. So they shouldn't be in awe of them when we walk out on the field against them. Last year was a damp squid as the tournament was over after a narrow loss to NZ. I'm pretty certain we won't win the WC, but i hope we have a bloody good crack.