Queen’s men desperate for league’s holy grail
Roar Guru By Alan Nicolea, 16 Oct 2008 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
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- 2008 Rugby League World Cup, AFL, Australia A, Greg Inglis, Kangaroos, New Zealand, North Melbourne Kangaroos, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, Super League, World Club Challenge
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England are part of the trio of big nations expected to win the league World Cup. They are ranked third in the world, and their history and roster suggests they have the necessary ingredients to wrestle league supremacy away from their southern rivals, Australia.
One can never discount the Poms in any sporting event.
Many wrote them off in last year’s Rugby World Cup due to their horrific form prior to the start of the tournament.
Then we saw them make the final, where they would just lose to South Africa in a close contest.
England are a team for the occasion. They love being written off under all circumstances.
But for all their passion and glory, the Poms are yet to win a World Cup, finishing runners-up in both the 1975 and 1995 editions.
Even when The Lions hosted the tournament in 2000, they only scraped through to the semi-finals where they were humbled and humiliated by a rampant New Zealand 49-6.
Although the English team has had its fair share of dark moments on the world stage, that should not come into calculations when predicting their chances come late October.
While all their squad is made entirely of Engage Super League players, the competition itself has grown as a spectacle, allowing all English players to build up their playing style significantly.
Players such as Danny McGuire, Martin Gleeson, Adrian Morley, James Roby, Leon Pryce, Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock are now able to take a game against any opposition by the scruff of the neck and control it.
Overall, England still have a better head to head record against both Australia and New Zealand. The Poms have beaten the Kangaroos nine times for five losses, whilst they have also defeated the Kiwi’s three times for only one loss.
But regardless of their head to head record against powerful nations, England have not performed when it counts.
England head coach Tony Smith will be expected to deliver good performances from the talented group at his disposal. But he too will be placing hope firmly on the shoulders of one superstar in the making who can guide England to glory.
Despite his already tarnished reputation, whether it be squeezing another player’s testicles or breaking and entering, Leon Pryce has a Greg Inglis style about him.
He could star in this World Cup, if he finds consistency with his unquestionable talent.
For England’s sake, they will hope he performs his magic on the field rather than off it, even if Australia’s beaches aren’t as good as his beloved Blackpool back home.
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October 16th 2008 @ 1:33pm
chris said | October 16th 2008 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
England have no chance. The difference in quality between no 1 in league and number 3 is massive.
October 16th 2008 @ 1:36pm
Millster said | October 16th 2008 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
Its ok Chris, Alan has taken it upon himself to write “the fans guide” which I think is very noble of him… especially given that its not a big or important enough tournament to make a published equivalent break even commercially…
October 16th 2008 @ 2:33pm
Alan Nicolea said | October 16th 2008 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
Millister
I know the League world cup is lightyears away compared to the world cups of Union and football in particular. The 2000 edition would have given league all the motives to destroy the competition, judging by the financial losses experienced. Eight years later though and League has another chance to showcase the potential it has on the world stage. The Island nations are stronger due to the availability of NRL players and i think this world cup will be much more competitive. In the end, i enjoy watching League and i hope the tournament provides the right building blocks for League to grow exponentially.
On England chances, they are in a very tough group and will have to play well bigtime. But do not discount their roster. Their is quality there.
October 16th 2008 @ 2:45pm
JimC said | October 16th 2008 @ 2:45pm | Report comment
Chris – England have a very good chance. The aussies do not have any forwards to match England’s – and forwards win matches.
October 16th 2008 @ 2:57pm
oikee said | October 16th 2008 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
Alan, this world cup will be the best ever, the quality of league played will not only be a building block it will also be a must have event for any country who wishes to see the best talent of any sport. So what we only have 20 or so nations involved
if you have a good product the why would other countries not want to be part of that, to be honest with you i really think england have a 50/50 chance of taking out this cup, dont listen to others who have not got a clue about the game.
The one thing i know you will take out of this world cup is the fact that you cannot wait for the next one, and also at least you might get to enjoy the cup in our country more often. Come next world cup there might be even more teams better placed to win the cup.
I have mentioned the problems that league has had to over come over the last 100 years, if others tend to ignore this only makes them look that more stupid. Read the history of the game as well Alan, along with the story about how the world cup trophy itself was found on a dump site before the 2000 world cup and was restored and then presented to australia.
I would make up a story like a union guy stole it and then died and his family thought it was a wedding drinking gift so they dumped it, something like that, who knows. You cant right scripts like that.
October 16th 2008 @ 3:17pm
CumberlandsAshes said | October 16th 2008 @ 3:17pm | Report comment
“Its ok Chris, Alan has taken it upon himself to write “the fans guide” which I think is very noble of him… especially given that its not a big or important enough tournament to make a published equivalent break even commercially…”
Gee, I must have imagined the RLWC08 Guidebook I bought the other week…
October 16th 2008 @ 3:31pm
oikee said | October 16th 2008 @ 3:31pm | Report comment
Yes thats the guide book at the front of the counter, not the back isles where they keep the football magazines, do you think people get confused by calling it football.? And i have found a new name for the socceroos, its the aussie-scuby-doos.
Please dont start anything, that is a joke millster.
October 17th 2008 @ 1:36pm
me said | October 17th 2008 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
“But for all their passion and glory, the Poms are yet to win a World Cup, finishing runners-up in both the 1975 and 1995 editions.”
Actually Alan the Poms have won the league world cup three times.
October 17th 2008 @ 2:17pm
Rabbitz said | October 17th 2008 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
Who are you referring to with the headline? (Queen’s men desperate for league’s holy grail). Technically, England, Australia & New Zealand (possibly others) all have the Queen as head of state, thus they are all the “Queens men”…
October 17th 2008 @ 3:35pm
Alan Nicolea said | October 17th 2008 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
Me
No, That was Great Britain – which has players from Scotland and Wales aswell. NOT England. St George have won 15 premierships. St George Illawarra have won none. Same thing.
Rabbitz – Jesus christ mate, the Queen leaves in England!!!!!!!!!! She is English aswell. England’s national anthem is ‘god save our Queen’ – Hell New Zealand’s anthem is ‘god defend New Zealand’ – not the queen.
I know they are all associated but c’mon, give me a break.