With the Women's Rugby League World Cup fast approaching, NRL.com takes a look at how Group A shapes up and who are the key women who need to stand up if their nation is to progress to the knockout stages...
The lowdown
England, Brazil, Canada, Papua New Guinea
Host nation England will have high hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time in front of their home fans with the game going from strength-to-strength in recent seasons.
Newcomers Brazil are a thrilling new addition to the competition, taking part in their first ever Rugby League World Cup tournament. The side will be soaking it all in and aiming to take everything they learn back with them to help continue to grow the game.
Back for their second consecutive appearance in the Rugby League World Cup, Canada feature a number of players who were part of their debut in 2017 and will be better for the experience.
Featuring the talents of players with NRLW experience, Papua New Guinea Orchids will be hoping to build on their recent performances on the international stage in their second World Cup appearance.
The games
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
The teams
England
Squad: Dannielle Anderson (Leeds Rhinos), Caitlin Beevers (Leeds Rhinos), Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Leah Burke (St Helens), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Hollie Dodd (York City Knights), Grace Field (York City Knights), Fran Goldthorp (Leeds Rhinos), Amy Hardcastle (St Helens), Zoe Harris (St Helens), Zoe Hornby (Leeds Rhinos), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Tara Jones (St Helens), Vicky Molyneux (Wigan Warriors), Carrie Roberts (St Helens), Georgia Roche (Leeds Rhinos), Emily Rudge (captain) (St Helens), Tara-Jane Stanley (York City Knights), Beth Stott (St Helens), Paige Travis (St Helens), Courtney Winfield-Hill (Leeds Rhinos), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Olivia Wood (York City Knights)
Key player: There is no shortage of talent in this England squad, and the expanded Super League competition has meant new players keep being unearth to challenge the established stars. The experience of captain Emily Rudge will be vital, as will that of St Helens guns Amy Hardcastle and Jodie Cunningham.
Strengths: The host nation is a team filled with experience, with only one previously uncapped player in the squad. England have named four past winners of the Woman of Steel award with Courtney Winfield-Hill, Tara Jane‑Stanley, Georgia Roche and Cunningham selected. The side will also have the benefit of home-ground advantage and strong crowd support to cheer them on when they are challenged on the field.
Weaknesses: Having named a strong squad, there are not many weakness to pinpoint for England in the pool stages and they will have home support behind them as well. However, they cannot afford to take any opponent lightly in this pool with Canada and Brazil still unknown quantities and PNG improving with every outing and looking to add to to their wins tally after beating England in 2019.
History at World Cup: This is England's fourth appearance in the Rugby League World Cup. They finished third in both 2008 and 2013 and were semi finalists in 2017.
Brazil
Squad: Adriana Felix, Amanda Welter, Ana Loschi de Quadros, Bárbara Leal, Brena Prioste, Bryanca Santa Rita, Daniele Soares, Edna Santini, Ellen Trindade, Franciele Barros, Franciny Amaral, Giovanna Barth, Giovanna Moura, Leticia Medeiros, Maria Graf, Natalia Jonck, Natalia Momberg, Pâmella Silva, Patricia Bodeman, Patricia Oliveria, Paula Casemiro, Suzana Rodrigues, Tati Fernandes
Key player: As one of the few who had played rugby league prior to the Amazonas going through the qualifying process for this tournament, the experience of Ana Loschi de Quadros will be vital for her team-mates. While she is the youngest in the squad, Giovanna Barth is the first progress from Brazil’s youth development system and will be one to watch.
Strengths: The Amazonas squad contains athletes who have have previously competed in many different sports including jiu-jitsu, capoeira, football, futsal, basketball, handball, rugby sevens, rugby XV, handball, dancing and sprinting and come into the tournament as an unknown entity. The side will be fit and will bring their own style of play to shake things up in the tournament.
Weaknesses: The lack of experience with rugby league and an inevitable lack of game knowledge will be something to overcome, but there is nothing like being tested against the best in the world to fast-track learning. With plenty of athletes in the side, it won't take long for Brazil to learn what it takes get into the grind in a rugby league game.
History at World Cup: This is the first tournament for Brazil.
Canada
Squad: Maddy Aberg (British Columbia), Nina Bui (Ontario); Rachel Chaboter (British Columbia), Brittany Douglas (Ontario), Dani Frananda (Alberta), Alix Evans (Alberta), Alanna Fittes (Alberta), Karina Gauto (Alberta), Gabrielle Hindley (British Columbia), Britanny Jones (Alberta), Sarah Maguire (Alberta), Laura Mariu (Richmond, New Zealand), Sab McDaid (Ontario), Jade Menin (Alberta), Lauren Mueller (London, England), Natasha Naismith (Ontario) Ada Jane Okonkwo (British Columbia), Megan Pakulis (Ontario), Ferris Sandboe (Alberta), Kristy Sargent (Alberta), Zoey Siciliano (Ontario), Liz Steele (Alberta), Natalie Tam (Ontario), Petra Woods (Ontario)
Key player: Meg Pakulis is returning for her second tournament, having made history in 2017 while playing in the second row, crossing for her nation’s first World Cup try. The experience of Pakulis, who was recently awarded the Ontario Rugby senior player of the year, will be something her team-mates can draw from, and they will need her to produce her trademark strong running game to get them on the front foot.
Strengths: Now in their second showing in a World Cup, the side know what to expect when playing on the biggest of stages. As well as Pakulis, there are five other players returning from their 2017 campaign in Nina Bui, Sab McDaid, Jade Menin, Liz Steele and Natalie Tam, while the experience of Laura Mariu, formerly with the Kiwi Ferns, will put the side in good stead. They have also had a solid preparation with a lead-up match against Ireland.
Weaknesses: While experience amongst a growing cohort of Ravens in a strength, they are still a relatively inexperienced side overall and will face a tough challenge against England especially. Many of the side are drawn from rugby union, but the increased depth in their squad will have them pushing to add to their wins tally after beating fellow 2017 newcomers PNG in their pool match.
History at World Cup: This will be the second consecutive appearance in the Rugby League World Cup for the Ravens who finished as semi-finalists in 2017.
Papua New Guinea
Squad: Therese Aiton (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Elsie Albert (St George Illawarra Dragons), Lisa-Marie Alu (PNG Highlands Confederate), Bethshiba Awoi (PNG Southern Confederate), Essay Banu (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Anika Butler (Newcastle Knights), Shae-Yvonne De La Cruz (Souths Logan Magpies), Belinda Gwasamun (PNG Highlands Confederate), Carol Humeu (PNG Southern Confederate), Shirley Joe (PNG Highlands Confederate), Michelle John (PNG Southern Confederate), Elizabeth Kapa (PNG Southern Confederate), Roswita Kapo (PNG Southern Confederate), Gloria Kaupa (PNG Highlands Confederate), Sera Koroi (Souths Logan Magpies), Talita Kunjil (PNG Highlands Confederate), Shellie Long (Brisbane Tigers), Lila Malabag (PNG Southern Confederate), Martha Molowia (PNG Southern Confederate), Jessikah Reeves (Souths Magpies), Emily Veivers (Brisbane Tigers), Veronica Waula (PNG Southern Confederate)
Key player: There is no doubting the main inspiration for the Orchids team is blockbusting St George Illawarra forward Elsie Albert. A trailblazer in that she is the first female player to go through the pathways direct from PNG to the NRLW, she will also have the experience of whole-hearted rake Therese Aiton, who previously played with Parramatta, to help her inspire the young team.
Strengths: The Orchids have had a good lead-up to the tournament, with the players tested in the recent Prime Minister's XIII game Australia. The loss gave them areas to improve on, culminating in a good win against York in their warm-up match. With renewed investment and focus on developing the women's game in PNG, coupled with representation from across PNG's domestic competitions and Australia-based players, there is good experience and depth in all positions.
Weaknesses: The Orchids will have high expectations on them to improve on their debut Rugby League World Cup showing and make it past the pool stages. The team will need to keep committed to their own goals and not let outside pressures cloud their focus. The side have the talent to progress, but will need to have properly applied what they learnt from their heavy 64-6 loss against Australia's PM XIII side.
History at World Cup: The Orchids will be making their second consecutive appearance in the Rugby League World Cup with their 2017 seeing them finish third in their pool.
Stats sourced from David Middleton - League Information Services