We profile the form of the four sides heading into league's 2009 showcase international event.
The Kiwis, favourites Australia, and tournament hosts England and France face off in the inaugural Four Nations.
NEW ZEALAND
* v Australia, London October 25
* v France, Toulouse November 1
* v England,
Huddersfield November 8
Gone are the days when Warriors dominated the ranks of the Kiwis.
This squad contains just three, with two them, Kevin Locke and Ben Matulino, fringe selections.
The rest are the best of the Kiwi talent in the NRL still walking at this time of year, with Wigan's Thomas Leuluai thrown in for good measure.
Undoubtedly the side has been hit hard by injury withdrawals, with Warriors standouts Manu Vatuvei, Sam Rapira and Simon Mannering and former national captain Roy Asotasi headlining a long list.
What's left is the spine of the 2008 World Cup-winning team - Benji Marshall, Nathan Fien, Lance Hohaia, Isaac Luke and Leuluai - with a heap of young prospects thrown in.
There is promise in abundance, with the likes of Locke, Kieran Foran, Jarred Waera-Hargreaves just setting out on what should be notable careers.
But those three look like babes in the woods in comparison with the galaxy of stars in the Kangaroos. Still, the Kiwis thrive on being underdogs.
If they can get past England in Huddersfield and into the final at Elland Road on November 15, they will have a chance to lift the trophy.
Coach: Stephen Kearney
Squad: Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders), Greg Eastwood, Bryson Goodwin (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kieran Foran, Steve Matai, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly Sea Eagles), Adam Blair, Jeff Lima (Melbourne Storm), Junior Sau (Newcastle Knights), Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Ben Matulino (New Zealand Warriors), Krisnan Inu, Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta Eels), Frank Pritchard (Penrith Panthers), Issac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Nathan Fien, Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons), Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Benji Marshall (c) (Wests Tigers), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors).
AUSTRALIA
* v New Zealand, London October 25
* v England, Wigan November 1
* v France, Paris November 8
The Kangaroos squad looks as strong as ever, although its major strength is clearly in the backs.
Darren Lockyer and Jonathan Thurston form a dream halves combination, Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis will be the first-choice centres, while Billy Slater should keep the fullback spot, forcing Jarryd Hayne to the wing.
With the prolific Brett Morris an option for the other flank, it's pretty much a galaxy of superstars. Incredibly, players such as Michael Jennings and Kurt Gidley could battle to see much game time.
The forwards aren't quite of the same ilk. Anthony Watmough and Cameron Smith are the class acts of the pack, while Petero Civoniceva and Nathan Hindmarsh provide the veteran presence.
Robbie Farah could also bring an X-factor option from the bench, but the rest are more steady than scary.
If the Kiwis and Poms are to stand any chance of upsetting the apple cart, they'll have to dominate up front.
Curiously, Morris was the only player from minor premiers St George to make the squad, and even he was a replacement for Israel Folau, while four Panthers were included.
Coach: Tim Sheens
Squad: Darren Lockyer (c), Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), David Shillington (Canberra Raiders), Ben Hannant, Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs), Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), Anthony Watmough (Manly Sea Eagles), Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Brett White (Melbourne Storm), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels), Petero Civoniceva, Michael Jennings, Luke Lewis, Trent Waterhouse (Penrith Panthers), Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons), Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers).
ENGLAND
* v France, Doncaster October 24
* v Australia, Wigan November 1
* v NZ, Huddersfield November 8
Coach Tony Smith, brother of Brian, has certainly stuck to his pledge to give youth a chance. Of the new brigade, St Helens utility Kyle Eastmond and Souths-bound forward Sam Burgess are the most exciting prospects.
Jamie Peacock, Adrian Morley and Gareth Ellis will ensure the pack has a hard-nosed edge to it, but the squad looks light on genuine test quality in the halves and out wide.
Danny McGuire had long been feted as the saviour of the British game, while Rob Burrow is also a talent at Super League level.
But a succession of previous coaches have been reluctant to use the pair.
Burrow is tiny, while McGuire is a brilliant support player, but a lightweight defender. Given coach Smith's link to Leeds, the recall of Kevin Sinfield is no surprise.
Sinfield might be great in a dominant Rhinos team in Super League but he is yet to offer much at test level.
Overall, it's pretty much a case of "seen it all before", despite the new faces. They might be good enough to test the Kiwis in Huddersfield, but they won't get close to the Aussies.
Coach: Tony Smith
Squad: Sam Burgess, Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls), Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers), Eorl Crabtree, Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants), Shaun Briscoe, Peter Fox (Hull KR), Jamie Peacock (c), Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield, Lee Smith (Leeds Rhinos), Richard Myler (Salford Reds ), Kyle Eastmond, James Graham, James Roby, Jon Wilkin (St Helens), Chris Bridge, Garreth Carvell, Adrian Morley, Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers), Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors).
FRANCE
* v England, Doncaster October 24
* v New Zealand, Toulouse November 1
* v Australia, Paris November 8
A French team made up of players from just four clubs, including 14 from Super League's Les Catalans, will know its best chance of posting an unlikely victory will come against the Kiwis next week.
Playing in the southern stronghold of Toulouse, the French can be quite a handful.
Roared on by a small but passionate crowd, they tend to grow an extra leg, while some of the forwards already have scars from where their extra heads were cut off. Away from Toulouse it is a different story.
The Poms should crush them in Doncaster while the match in Paris against the Aussies is pretty much an away game forboth.
As for the squad, captain Olivier Elima has bounced around his share of Super League clubs for good reason, while Jamal Fakir is a bit like the Sonny Bill Williams of French league (except that he still plays league).
Coach: Bobbie Goulding
Squad: Romain Gagliazzo, Christophe Moly, Teddy Saddaoui (AS Carcassonne), Olivier Elima (c), Jean-Philippe Baile, Thomas Bosc, Remi Casty, Vincent Duport, Jamal Fakir, David Ferriol, Cyril Gossard, Gregory Mounis, Dimitri Pelo, Sebastien Raguin, Cyril Stacul, Julien Touxagas, Clint Greenshields (Catalans Dragons), Jared Taylor, James Wynne (Lezignan Sangliers), Eric Anselme, Mathieu Griffi, Sylvain Houles, Sebastien Planas, Constant Villegas (Toulouse Olympique).
