Strong NZ presence evident in Cup sides

The Wallabies have few options at first-five and will use the Auckland-born Quade Cooper in their squad. Photo / Getty Images

Whoever wins, you can bet there will be a Kiwi involved somewhere.

If you've ever thought New Zealand's influence on the global playing fields, as distinct from the legislative halls of power, was slightly overstated then a scan through prospective World Cup teams will change your mind.

There are about 120 former Super Rugby players involved with overseas clubs and many more who were provincial or club representatives.

This is not an exhaustive list of those on the cusp of World Cup upgrades as there will be selection and injury changes before the end-of-the-month deadline, but the New Zealand connections are significant.

Let's start with our Wallaby neighbours, who shook up the All Blacks in Sydney and name their 31-man squad today.

While one of the national guessing games here revolves around the glut of first five-eighths talent, the Wallabies have little choice and will use the Auckland-born Quade Cooper in their squad.

Another with a strong Kiwi connection is utility forward Dean Mumm, who was born in Auckland and whose grandfather, Bill, was an All Blacks test prop in 1949.

Fringe tournament picks wing Joe Tomane and midfield back Christian Lealiifiano were born here, as was huge lock Will Skelton, while prop Sekope Kepu went to Wesley College, prop Toby Smith played for the Chiefs and wing Henry Speight for Waikato.

Welsh coach Warren Gatland is a Waikato man and former All Blacks hooker who left to coach in Ireland in 1989, has been an assistant and head coach of the Lions and has coached Wales for the past eight years.

A former NZ cricket team masseuse, Angela Rickard, is on staff while former Blues and Chiefs five-eighths Gareth Anscombe is in a tight battle to be chosen.

The other big banger in Pool A is England, a side with more players and financial backing than any other as they look to emulate the Springboks and All Blacks as host winners of the tournament.

Rotorua-born hooker Dylan Hartley rubbed himself out of contention with repeat bad behaviour while James Haskell, another with "form" at the last World Cup before a stint with the Highlanders, is in the frame for another tournament.

Former Blues media manager James Rigby is one of the England team's social media managers.

In Pool B, Samoa have former All Black Alama Ieremia as co-coach and a stack of players who have been involved in either Super Rugby or ITM Cup competitions.

Among those are Motu Natu'u, Filo Paulo, Kane Thompson, Jack Lam, TJ Ioane, Kahn Fotuali'I, Tusi Pisi, Rey Lee-Lo, Johnny Leota, Paul Perez, George Pisi, Ken Pisi, Tim Nanai-Williams, Anthony Perenise and Joe Tekori.

Former Crusaders and Bay of Plenty coach Vern Cotter is fine-tuning Scotland.

He's got the former Crusader and British Lion Sean Maitland on the wing and loose forwards Hugh Blake, Blair Cowan and the recently recruited John Hardie from the Highlanders.

Up in Japan, Michael Broadhurst who is an older brother of All Blacks hopeful James, is a utility lock loose forward alongside Chiefs loose forward Michael Leitch and Highlanders halfback Fumiaka Tanaka.

Kelston Boys High School-educated brothers Andrew, Roland and Shalom Suniula are in the frame for places in the United States side.

Passionate Tonga flanker Nili Latu is down to lead his side in Pool C after spells here with Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs and the Hurricanes.

The squad will be coached by former Auckland loose forward and 1994 All Blacks trialist Mana Otai, who then captained Tonga at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.

He will choose from Siale Piutau, Taniela Moa, Viliame Ma'afu, So'ane Tongahuia, Joe Tuineau, Aleki Lutui, Halani Aulika, Sona Taumalolo, Hale T-Pole and Fetu Vainikolo, who all played provincial or Super rugby in New Zealand.

In a team full of names which look to be a nightmare for commentators, Georgia have coach Milton Haig taking them to the tournament, while new Blues coach Tana Umaga has also helped out with them as well.

Ireland have risen to be the No 2 ranked side in the world with former BoP and Blues coach Joe Schmidt in charge of operations.

He's got former All Black Greg Feek as his scrum coach and a few Kiwis in the mix for his final selection.

Former Blues utility Jared Payne is on the cusp with props Michael Bent, Rodney Ah You and Nathan White, who made his debut this year after several false starts because of injury.

Another with injury woes is Italy's first five-eighths Kelly Haimona. The Rotorua-born player who made his Bay of Plenty debut in 2007, transferred to Italy where, after a three-year standown, he played test rugby last year.

He broke his arm in March and is now in a struggle to be fit for the World Cup.

Canada have strong coaching links to New Zealand. Former All Black Kieran Crowley leads the squad with brother Leo the attack coach and another Taranaki man, Neil Barnes, looking after the forwards before he shifts to the Chiefs for their next campaign.