The 16-team format realistically leaves six or so teams looking down the barrel of returning home winless.
And countries have been boosted by heritage players: all bar France, Jamaica and Wales have at least one current NRL player. Countries as disparate as Lebanon, Greece, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands all boast at least five players with NRL experience.
With that in mind, England coach Shaun Wane labelled his team"the underdogs" for their showdown with Samoa, whose squad boasts six members of Penrith Panthers' recent NRL Grand Final-winning team as well as two from the runners-up Parramatta Eels. "It's not necessarily about spoiling the party," said Samoa captain Junior Paulo in reference to his team having never beaten one of the traditional"big three" of Australia, England and New Zealand.For the first time, the women's and wheelchair World Cups will also take place alongside the men's competition.
"This is international rugby league's moment to shine," said the tournament's chief executive Jon Dutton.
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