Group B preview: Australia, Cook Islands, France, New Zealand

The teams 

Australia

Squad: Tarryn Aiken (Brisbane Broncos), Kezie Apps (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Shaylee Bent (St George-Illawarra Dragons) Samantha Bremner (Sydney Roosters), Ali Brigginshaw (Brisbane Broncos), Lauren Brown (Gold Coast Titans), Jaime Chapman (Brisbane Broncos), Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels), Shenae Ciesiolka (Brisbane Broncos), Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights), Keeley Davis (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Taliah Fuimaono (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Tallisha Harden (Brisbane Broncos), Caitlan Johnston (Newcastle Knights), Keilee Joseph (Sydney Roosters), Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters), Shannon Mato (Gold Coast Titans), Evania Pelite (Gold Coast Titans), Julia Robinson (Brisbane Broncos), Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters), Simaima Taufa (Parramatta Eels), Emma Tonegato (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Holli Wheeler (St George Illawarra Dragons).

Key player: Take your pick from a squad brimming with NRLW superstars but veteran Simaima Taufa and her new teammate Caitlan Johnston loom as a power couple in the Jillaroo’s forward pack. Averaging 163 run metres and 35 tackles this year, the Taufa played a huge role in leading the Eels into their maiden grand final and if this year's Origin is anything to go by, 21-year-old Johnston is more than ready for the Test arena.

Strengths: With Ali Brigginshaw, Kezie Apps and Sam Bremner named to co-captain the side, it’s fair to say Brad Donald has been spoilt for choice with leaders for his green and gold girls. Making up three of five players in the squad to have featured in the 2017 World Cup-winning side, the trio will no doubt have the forwards, halves and backs in good shape come kick-off time.

Weakness: While Australia is sure to head to England experienced by their opponents' standards, on paper the Jillaroos side lacks a significant amount of international experience. Coach Brad Donald has named 13 fresh faces to feature in this year’s international tournament and how they respond to the roar of the World Cup crowd will be their biggest test come show time.

History at World Cup: As the current Cup holders, Australia is aiming to claim their third-consecutive title this year. After finishing as semi-finalists in 2000 and 2003, and runners-up in 2008, it was 2013 when the Jillaroos created history by beating the Kiwi Ferns in the final to break their 13-year reign.

New Zealand

Squad: Abigail Roache (Richmond), Amber-Paris Hall (Brisbane Broncos), Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala (Brisbane Broncos), Apii Nicholls (Gold Coast Titans), Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly (Newcastle Knights), Brianna Clark (Brisbane Broncos), Charlotte Scanlan (Point Chevalier Pirates), Christyl Stowers (Manurewa Marlins), Crystal Tamarua (Brisbane Broncos), Georgia Hale (Gold Coast Titans), Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell (Gold Coast Titans), Karli Hansen (Tweed Head Seagulls), Katelyn Vaha’akolo (Point Chevalier Pirates), Krystal Rota (Manurewa Marlins), Laishon Albert-Jones (Point Chevalier Pirates), Madison Bartlett (Gold Coast Titans), Mele Hufanga (Ponsonby Ponies), Mya Hill-Moana (Sydney Roosters), Nita Maynard (Brisbane Broncos), Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters), Page McGregor (St George Illawarra Dragons), Raecene McGregor (Sydney Roosters), Roxy Murdoch-Masila (Gold Coast Titans), Shanice Parker (Newcastle Knights).

Key player: The Kiwi Ferns head into this year's World Cup with a huge advantage having 2022 Dally M Player of the year Raecene McGregor in their squad. The Roosters halfback produced moments of pure magic on the field this year, conjuring 10 try assists through her five appearances in her breakout NRLW season.

Strengths: Coach Ricky Henry is set to roll out a powerful pack of strong forwards including Georgia Hale, Apii Nicholls and Amber Hall who will guide the likes of young guns Otesa Pule and Roxy Murdoch.

Weaknesses: The ability to put the ball between the sticks could hurt the Ferns if they find themselves in a match down to the wire. After landing only three conversions from 11 attempts in the mid-year Test against Tonga, the Ferns will be hoping Auckland-based half Laishon Albert-Jones has had some practice in front of the posts in pre-season.

History at the World Cup: New Zealand have taken home the trophy a record three times since the tournament began in 2000. But after finishing runners-up to Australia in 2013 and 2017, the Ferns will be looking to claim back their reign this year. 

France

Squad: Elisa Akpa (Vice Captain) (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Gaëlle Alverhne (Lescure Arthès XIII), Jeanne Bernard (Lescure Arthès XIII), Leïla Bessahli (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Mélanie Bianchini (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Laureane Biville (Lescure Arthès XIII), Mailys Borak (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Margot Canal (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Elisa Ciria (Lescure Arthès XIII), Anaïs Fourcroy (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Chloé Guillerot (Lescure Arthès XIII), Tallis Kuresa (Bègles Bordeaux WRL), Cyndia Mansard (Toulouse Ovalie), Sarah Menaa (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Lise Michel (Ayguesvives XIII), Perinne Monsarrat (Lescure Arthès XIII), Elodie Pacull (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Zoe Pastre-Courtine (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Fanny Ramos (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses) Dorine Samarra (Lescure Arthès XIII) Manon Samarra (Lescure Arthès XIII), Cristina Song-Puche (Saint-Estève XIII Catalan Goddesses), Louisa Tooman (Lescure Arthès XIII), Alice Varela (Captain) (Toulouse Ovalie)

Key player: One player to keep an eye on is Laureane Biville who is sure to take the opportunity to feature on the biggest stage with both hands. With an admirable dedication to rugby league, a young Biville travelled to Australia to pursue her dream, playing with Easts Tigers, the Gold Coast Titans invitational team and the Warriors Nines squad. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Maïlys Bourak is set to be another star attraction for France. The fresh-faced forward – who is the youngest player in the squad – was among the most dynamic in her side’s 36-10 defeat to England earlier this year.

Strengths: With 11 players from the Catalans Dragons selected in the squad, France are set to head to England with some handy combinations already in place. And skipper Alice Varela will no doubt have her backline well organised in attack having featured in the 2008 and 2013 World Cups.

Weakness: There’s no denying France are lacking top-level experience compared to the likes of Australia and New Zealand. France’s young guns will be leaning on their experienced cup campaigners who know the challenge that lies ahead coming up against the world's best female rugby league players.

History at World Cup: France are appearing in their third world cup after featuring in 2008 and 2013. Having not won a game at either competition, the Chanticleers could be on an upward trajectory as they prepare to host the next tournament.

Cook Islands 

Squad: Kimiora Breayley-Nati (Gold Coast Titans), Erikana Dean (Oakley Bears), Mireka Dean (Toowoomba Clydesdale), Tetuanui Dean (Campbelltown Collegians), Kennedy Harrison-Vahua (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Maleyna Hunapo (Truganina Rabbitohs), Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Tweed Seagulls), Lavinia Kitai (Brisbane Tigers), Beniamina Koitau (TBC), Kerehitina Matua (Manurewa Wahine), Terehia Matua (Manurewa Wahine), Moniqca Mo'ale (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Toka Natua (Waikato, NZ), April Ngatupuna (Gold Coast Titans), Daimzel Rongokea (Otago, NZ), Anekka Stephens (Joondalup Giants), Kiana Takairangi (Newcastle Knights), Karol-Ann Tanevesi (Mounties), Tehinnah-Leal Tatuava (Titikaveka Bulldogs), Alekermay Tuaana (TBC), Charlize Tumu-Makara (Richmond Rovers), Jazmon Tupou-Witchman (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Elianna Walton (Mounties), Mackenzie Wiki (Manukau Counties).

Key player: Five-eighth Kimiora Breayley-Nati has a swathe of big-game experience, having made her NRL debut four years ago. Representing New Zealand in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, Breayley-Nati is no stranger to the World Cup stage and will be ready to do some heavy lifting for the Cook Islands.

Strengths: The Cook Islands know they are capable of an upset. If they can produce some of the fighting spirit that carried them to a 22-16 win over England in 2017, they could be a surprise packet among the favourites in Group B.

Weakness: Much like France, matching the game speed of Australia and New Zealand will be the main undoing for the Cook Islands. However, they won't be short on passion and will be looking to cause an upset or two with their star NRLW recruits.

History at World Cup: After missing out on a place in the semi-finals in 2017, finishing behind England on a points difference, Cook Islands will be looking to go one better this year and push for a World Cup finals campaign.