League: Favourites missing stars

Greg Inglis (centre) is one of several leading Australian players unavailable. Photo / Getty Images

Australia

The Kangaroos will always start any rugby league tournament as favourites - certainly in the foreseeable future - but their Four Nations squad is more notable for the players missing. As many as 13 are unavailable and, just in the centres, they are without Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Michael Jennings, Jamie Lyon and Josh Morris.

Add in halfback Johnathan Thurston and injuries hanging over skipper Darren Lockyer (ribs), his back-up Todd Carney (knee) and second-rower Anthony Watmough (ankle) and coach Tim Sheens has a few headaches.

You shouldn't feel too sorry for him, however. The defending champions are awash with talent and can still draw on the likes of Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Watmough, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Kurt Gidley, Jarryd Hayne, Petero Civoniceva, Darius Boyd, Brent Tate and Robbie Farah.

England

Luke Robinson was supposed to get married in Cyprus later this month but a surprise call-up to the England Four Nations squad has forced its postponement.

Robinson is one of six Huddersfield players in the England squad - the most of any club - and his selection, along with a recall for Wigan prop Stuart Fielden, four years after his last test, are the most notable inclusions in Steve McNamara's squad.

Adrian Morley will captain the side in the absence of the injured Jamie Peacock (knee). Also missing are Kevin Sinfield and Kyle Eastmond (both injured) as well as Rob Burrow, Jon Wilkin and Martin Gleeson, who were all overlooked.

Three NRL players have been called up - Rabbitohs prop Sam Burgess, Wests Player of the Year Gareth Ellis and Storm rookie Gareth Widdop.

Papua New Guinea

There's rarely a dull moment in Papua New Guinea rugby league. A fortnight ago coach Adrian Lam quit amid accusations of infighting and personality clashes - to be replaced by Stanley Gene, who retired as a player after the 2008 World Cup.

That was a few days before police beat fans with sticks in Port Moresby after the Australian Prime Minister's XIII beat the Kumuls 30-18.

Gene has inherited an inexperienced squad with seven uncapped players. Cronulla hooker Paul Aiton will captain the side and is the only one with NRL experience. Most play in the local competition or in the lower leagues in Australia.

Tony Dai is the longest-serving member with eight caps.

The Kumuls won their place in the Four Nations by beating the Cook Islands 42-14 in the final of the Pacific Cup. They lost all three games at the World Cup, but gave England a fright.