World Cup 'super pool' minnows Papua New Guinea have a plan to shock the big guns.

Adrian Lam's team take on England in the tournament's opening game in Townsville on Saturday week and also play Australia and New Zealand in pool A, with three teams to qualify for the semi-finals.

Their coach initially reacted with horror to the draw but believes he has the players to cause serious problems for opponents.

"Don't worry about England, New Zealand and Australia," said Lam.

"We have a plan in place for them, and I know the boys will play to that plan."

The former Wigan scrum-half delayed the announcement of his squad so that he could travel from his Sydney base to PNG to watch an inter-squad trial match between non-resident and resident Papua New Guinean players.

The result was a PNG team that boasts NRL players in Neville Costigan, Paul Aiton and Keith Peters and young guns in Tu'u Maori, Jay Aston and David Moore.

Anchoring the squad are Super League veterans Makali Aizue and Stanley Gene, from Hull KR, and captain John Wilshere - who helped Salford to the National League title this year.

Lam reports preparations are well under way for his first World Cup as coach, having featured as a player in PNG's most successful campaign in 2000.

Speaking on the Sydney Roosters' official website: Lam said: "I'm pleased to report that there are no injury worries in the squad. Everybody came through fit and healthy after Sunday's game.

"After the tour of France and Wales last year, the Prime Minister's XIII and Origin games, I have a game plan which the boys that were selected will carry out.

"Our first clash is against England, and we will be preparing well for that and we are going to give them a game that PNG will be proud of."

Papua New Guinea will set up camp in Cairns on Wednesday before moving down to Townsville next Monday.

England arrived in Townsville on Wednesday.