Rugby League World Cup: Five must watch pool games

Players scuffle during the International Rugby League Test match between Tonga and Samoa in May last year. Photo /Getty

The World Cup opener, and potentially the game that will decide who will have the easiest run through to the tournament final.

Australia's all-star side comes up against an NRL heavy English forward pack, which will be guided around by in- form halves Luke Gale and Gareth Widdop.

Assuming New Zealand top their group, the winner of this clash should be able to cruise to the final without playing another top-tier nation.

POOL B: Tonga v Samoa, November 4, Waikato Stadium
Brutal forward battles always ensure whenever these two Pacific islands meet, and hostilities should be doubled with the amount of high-profile NRL players on show.

Samoa have won three of the four Tests played between these two nations, but have easily come off second best when it comes to defections for this year's tournament. The loser of this game could be consigned to a third-place finish in their group, and a date with Australia in the sudden-death quarter-finals.

POOL B: New Zealand v Tonga, November 11, Waikato Stadium
As if the fuse wasn't lit already for this match, David Kidwell's accusations that Jason Taumalolo's Tongan defection this week was "cowardice" will sure stir the pot. The Kiwis have had plenty to say about their star forward's decision to play elsewhere, while there are also plenty of other New Zealanders in Tonga's squad.

This match could also decide top spot in the group, and who therefore can avoid top-ranked Australia until the final.

POOL C: Papua New Guinea v Wales, October 28, Port Moresby
The atmosphere alone at PNG's first ever home World Cup match makes this a must- watch clash. The Kumuls have picked a number of the PNG Hunters' Queensland Cup winning players in their final side, while four hookers have also been named in their 17.

With only one team going through from Pools C and D, this is a virtual must-win for both teams in their opening game of he competition.

POOL D: Italy v Fiji, November 10, GIO Stadium
It's Jarryd Hayne's Fiji against James Tedesco's Italy in a battle that could likely decide who gets the finals spot in the World Cup quarter finals. While Fiji's pack features the likes of Ashton and Korbin Sims alongside Kane Evans, Italy's forward quartet of Paul Vaughan, Daniel Alvaro, Mark Minichiello and Nathan Brown is the best of any European squad outside of England.