Key player: Benji Marshall - the Kiwis desperately need Marshall to come good if they are to be any chance of winning the World Cup, or even making the final. With Thomas Leuluai the only other recognised playmaker in the squad, much falls on Marshall's fragile shoulders.

PNG Squad: Paul Aiton, Makali Aizue, Jay Aston, Jason Chan, Neville Costigan, Trevor Exton, Stanley Gene, Rod Griffin, George Kepa, Nickson Kolo, Anton Kui, Tuu Maori, Larsen Marabe, George Moni, David Moore, James Nightingale, Jessie Joe Parker, Keith Peters, Rodney Pora, Kevin Prior, Nicko Slain, Charlie Wabo, John Wilshere (capt), Menzie Yere.

Key player: Neville Costigan - a former Queensland Origin backrower who plays with a unique blend of finesse and brute force. Will be looked to for second phase opportunities for the likes of Peters and Aiton.

Pool 1 Matches Sat, Oct 25 - England v PNG at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Sun, Oct 26 - Australia v NZ at Sydney Football Stadium Sat, Nov 1 - New Zealand v PNG at Skilled Park, Gold Coast Sun, Nov 2 - Australia v England at Telstra Dome, Melbourne Sat, Nov 8 - England v NZ at Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle Sun, Nov 9 - PNG v Australia at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Top three advance to semi-finals

POOL 2 Will anyone challenge Fiji for the right to move through to the semi-final qualifier? The Fijian backline looks to have plenty of points in it with the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Daryl Millard and Wes Naiqama, but the options in the halves aren't as plentiful. Little is know of the French while Scotland will rely heavily on Bulldogs prop Chris Armit and Warriors hooker Ian Henderson.

FIJI Squad: Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, Jason Bukuya, Iowane Divavesi, Aaron Groom, Jarryd Hayne, Sevania Koroi, Josua Koroibulu, Jone Macilai, Daryl Millard, Wes Naiqama, Vula Louis Dakuitoga Naqau, Kaliova Nauqe, Alipate Noilea, Josateki Ravueta, Osea Sadrau, Ashton Sims, James Storer, Waisale Sukanaveita, Semi Tadulala, Semisi Tora, Malakai Yalimaiwai Tuiloa, Akuila Uate, Suguturaga Nemani Valekapa, Ilisoni Vonomateiratu, Jone Wesele.

Key player: Ashton Sims - the backs look like they will cause plenty of problems provided they get some room to move, which is where Sims comes into the equation. The Fijian pack will no doubt have plenty of size, but Sims adds that touch of class and experience.

FRANCE Squad: Eric Anselme, Jean-Philippe Baile, J. Christophe Borlin, Thomas Bosc, Laurent Carrasco, Remi Casty, Olivier Elima, Jamal Fakir, Adel Fellous, Maxime Greseque, Mathieu Griffi, Jerome Guisset, Christophe Moly, Gregory Mounis, Justin Murphy, Dimitri Pelo, Sebastien Planas, Sebastien Raguin, Julien Rinaldi, Teddy Sadaoui, Jared Taylor, John Wilson, James Wynne.

Key player: Jarred Taylor - The dynamic fullback is sure to excite the crowds with his blistering turn of speed. He was the top try-scorer in the French premiership this year.

SCOTLAND Squad: Chris Armit, Danny Brough, Dean Colton, Paddy Coupar, Gavin Cowan, John Duffy, Ben Fisher, Andrew Henderson, Ian Henderson, Kevin Henderson, Jack Howieson, Paul Jackson, Wade Liddell, Scott Logan, Neil Lowe, David McConnell, Duncan MacGillivray, Iain Morrison, Gareth Morton, Mick Nanyn, Lee Paterson, Michael Robertson, Jonathan Steel, Oliver Wilkes.

Key player: Ian Henderson - the NZ Warriors No.9 was one of the best rakes over the closing rounds of the NRL season and he shapes as the man most likely to cause problems around the ruck.

Pool 2 Matches Sun, Oct 26 - Scotland v France at Canberra Stadium Sat, Nov 1 - Fiji v France at WIN Stadium, Wollongong Wed, Nov 5 - Scotland v Fiji at Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast Pool winner advances to semi-final qualifier

POOL 3 This pool looks like it will come down to the winner of the showdown at Penrith on October 31 between fierce rivals Tonga and Samoa. Both sides have plenty of players with NRL and international experience, and if they make it through to the semis, could give one of the powerhouses a shake. Ireland could struggle to win a game, but they will no doubt have plenty of support from the green army.

IRELAND Squad: Ross Barbour, Bob Beswick, Damien Blanch, Mick Cassidy, Ged Corcoran, Lee Doran, Liam Finn, Simon Finnigan, Karl Fitzpatrick, Stevie Gibbons, Sean Gleeson, Scott Grix, Gareth Haggerty, Ben Harrison, Graham Holroyd, Wayne Kerr, Stuart Littler, Michael McIllorum, Eamon O'Carroll, Michael Platt, Pat Richards, Ryan Tandy.

Key player: Pat Richards - The powerful Wigan and former Wests Tigers winger will be a focal point of the Ireland attack, which means he is likely to be used at fullback or in the centres to maximise his potential. A devastating ball-runner and competent goal-kicker.

SAMOA Squad: Carmont George, Dave Faiumu, Harrison Hansen, Ali Lauititi, Tuaalagi Lepupa, Kylie Leulua'i, Wayne McDade, Francis Meli, Joseph Paulo, Frank Puletua, Tony Puletua, Ben Roberts, Tangi Ropati, Smith Samau, Lagi Setu, Terrence Seuseu, Dave Solomona, Willie Talau, Alby Talipeau, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Te'o, Tupu Ulufale, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana.

Key player: Ben Roberts - Like Benji Marshall for the Kiwis, Roberts is the only real playmaker in the Samoan side. There's plenty of size and speed in the forwards and the backs, Roberts just needs to bring it all together.

TONGA Squad: Fraser Anderson, Louis Anderson, Andrew Emelio, Richard Fa'aoso, Awen Guttenbeil, Michael Jennings, Antonio Kaufusi, Toshio Laiseni, Taniela Lasalo, Epalahame Lauaki, Tevita Leo-Latau, Willie Manu, Manase Manuokafoa, Feleti Mateo, Eddie Paea, Lopini Paea, Mickey Paea, Fetuli Talanoa, Joel Taufa'ao, Esikeli Tonga, Etuate Uaisele, Cooper Vuna, Tony Williams.

Key player: Feleti Mateo - the Parramatta wonderboy could be a star of the tournament in what may be his last outing for the Tongans given he is likely to break into the NSW Origin side in coming years.

Pool 3 Matches Mon, Oct 27 - Tonga v Ireland at Parramatta Stadium Fri, Oct 31 - Samoa v Tonga at CUA Stadium, Penrith Wed, Nov 5 - Ireland v Samoa at Parramatta Stadium Pool winner advances to semi-final qualifier

Finals and classification matches Sat, Nov 8 - 2nd in Pool 2 v 2nd in Pool 3 at Browne Park, Rockhampton Sun, Nov 9 - 3rd in Pool 2 v 3rd in Pool 3 at CUA Stadium, Penrith Mon, Nov 10 - Semi-final Qualifier - Winner Pool 2 v Winner Pool 3 at Skilled Stadium, Gold Coast Sat, Nov 15 - Semi Final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Sun, Nov 16 - Semi Final at Sydney Football Stadium Sat, Nov 22 - Final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

AAP