THE ROAD TO RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP AUSTRALIA 2008

World champions Australia, New Zealand, England, France and Papua New Guinea automatically qualified for the 10-team tournament.

Pacific Cup group winners Tonga and runners-up Fiji have also qualified.

The final round of European qualifying matches have been played with Ireland qualifying from Pool 1after finishing above Lebanon and Russia. Scotland finished above Wales in Pool 2 to join them at the World Cup in Australia.

Lebanon defeated Wales 50-26 in the repechage semi final between the runners up from the European pools whilst  Samoa beat USA 42-10 in the other repechage semi-final.

Samoa took the 10th and final World Cup slot thanks to a 38-16 victory over Lebanon at the Chris Moyles Stadium, Featherstone on November 14 .

The 2008 Rugby League World Cup not only concludes the Centenary of Rugby League celebrations in Australia but will also mark the 13th chapter of the event, which started in 1954.

Since the tournament’s inception, the Rugby League World Cup has been taken to eight nations, with games played in over 50 cities and towns.

Click here to download the full details