The NRL season may be finished, but we don't have to wait long for our next dose of rugby league action.

The World Cup is only a couple of weeks away, and while the Kangaroos are heavy favourites to win the cup, don't count out the Kiwis and Great Britain just yet - they may have a few tricks up their sleeves.

The Kiwi's and the Kangaroos named their 24 man squads yesterday, and while the Kiwis are pretty much as we expected, Ricky Stuart has named a few bolters in his Kangaroo squad.

Raiders stars Terry Campese and Joel Monaghan have been rewarded for a strong season with Canberra, and while we don't expect them to make the full strength team, they will get some game time in the pool matches. Both are exciting players, and are on the cusp of lengthy representative careers.

There are six Manly Sea Eagles players in the squad, which is a testament to how well they have been playing, while five Storm players also made the squad.

The biggest bolter in the 24 man squad is Manly winger David "Wolfman" Williams, who only made his debut in the NRL this year. His career is going from strength to strength, and a World Cup win would be the perfect end to his stellar season - although as Kiwis we hope his season doesn't end that nicely...

Darren Lockyer will captain the team.

Here's the entire squad:

Terry Campese, Petro Civoniceva, Michael Crocker, Craig Fitzgibbon, Israel Folau, Paul Gallen, Kurt Gidley, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Brent Kite, Anthony Laffranchi, Darren Lockyer, Joel Monaghan, Josh Perry, Steve Price, Scott Prince, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Brett Stewart, Glen Stewart, Brent Tate, Jonathan Thurston, Anthony Watmough, David Williams.

The Kiwis head into the World Cup without the likes of Roy Asotasi and Frank Pritchard, which will test them in the big games, but Steve Kearney has selected a good squad that could potentially upset the Kangaroos - although they'll have to play out of their skins.

The big news is that Benji Marshall is fit and ready to put on the Kiwi jersey. And, while his defence is often lacking, there's no question over his ability to break a game open.

Nathan Fien also returns to the team after the "Granny Gate" incident, and is now a full New Zealand citizen. His form with the Warriors has been great, and he will likely team up with Marshall in the halves.

Only Brent Webb and Thomas Leuluai have been selected from Britain, which really sums up how tough a competition the NRL is. Not that we're saying the Super League is soft, or anything...(ahem).

The most unlucky player to miss out on a Kiwis jersey has to be Luke Covell, who is an outstanding winger and an excellent goal kicker. He too has been in good form all year, and really must be wondering why he isn't there.

Steve Matai has been named in the squad, despite his ongoing shoulder and neck problems.

Here's the full squad:

Adam Blair, Nathan Cayless (c), Greg Eastwood, David Fa'alogo, Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Lance Hohia, Krisnan Inu, David Kidwell, Thomas Leuluai, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Sam Perrett, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith (from the Storm), Iosia Soliola, Manu Vatuvie, Brent Webb.

These two teams will meet first up, which is really going to set the tone for the entire World Cup.

It's going to be a great competition - bring it on.