So much of the talk, so much of the criticism and so much of the anticipation comes down to this moment.
With excitement steadily building before the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, the result of tonight’s opening match will be crucial to sustaining interest levels across the five weeks of the tournament.
It will also go a long way towards defining many people’s perception of the state of international rugby league.
The opening fixture will in many ways be the canary in the mine of the entire World Cup.
Was the largely successful 2008 edition was a sign of the development of international rugby league? Or will Australia’s dominance through the strength of the NRL competition give the event a second-class status when compared with State of Origin and the NRL and ESL seasons?
A close match, or even an England win ala 1995, would boost interest levels in Europe and Australasia for the duration of the event.
On the other hand, a less than competitive showing by England or anything resembling a flogging, especially after the progress the team has made through Steve McNamara’s recent efforts, is likely to minimise already questionable interest levels.
RLWC 2013
While not having a direct impact on this fixture, the reconstituted rules regarding eligibility have brought a lot more talent to the tournament.
Much of this talent would otherwise be sitting on the sidelines while semi-professional and park players duke it out without much of a chance of national glory.
Having players like Akuila Uate, Tariq Sims, Anthony Minichiello, Petero Civoniceva, Brent Kite and Anthony Milford involved in the game’s international showpiece surely beats any pursuit of a ‘pure’ international selection criteria for its own sake.
Despite consistent criticism, the rule is a welcome recognition of rugby league’s limited international footprint rather than an attempt to fool the masses into thinking league is more global than it actually is.
If the pre-tournament results are anything to go by, the effect has been positive. The established nations cannot be complacent and the developing nations have a serious chance to upset the big guns.
Australia
The Australian selectors have one of the easier jobs going around, with a second or third string Australia side likely to put up a considerable fight against anything international league has to offer.
However, this can lead to complacency.
Most of the current squad have a mortgage on their positions and at least five will probably remain selected in reputation alone until they retire. Only two of the current squad featured in the last two weeks of the NRL season, and no one from either of the grand final teams has been named.
Looking over the squad, probably Brent Tate is the only name that would not have been selected in the starting 13 at the start of the year.
Indeed, 12 of the 13 lined up for the Aussies in the ANZAC Test in April, with only Cooper Cronk (aside from Tate) under real pressure to keep his position.
That said, it is still the strongest line-up in world rugby league and it is unlikely many of these players would be unseated were a world XIII to be named (maybe a Burgess or two and perhaps Sonny Bill Williams, should Bob McCarthy not be involved in the selection process).
The combinations of Melbourne Storm trio Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, along with fellow Queenslander Johnathan Thurston, give the Kangaroos an unparalleled advantage in representative football.
Also, aside from cashing two pay checks each week, Tim Sheens has had very little to do other than plan to reclaim the Cup.
Australia are justifiably warm favourites to reclaim a crown which most believe is rightfully theirs at the start of every tournament.
England
England look more competitive than they have been for decades and this shapes as their best opportunity to win since the dissolution of the Great Britain side.
Aside from the considerable work put in by coach McNamara, economic realities have led to more English players moving to the NRL.
Five of the current squad play in the NRL. Two more, Lee Mossop and Sam Tomkins, are set to join the NRL next year, with Parramatta signing Gareth Hock recently booted from the squad for disciplinary reasons.
The team contains Kevin Sinfield, who is the current Golden Boot winner as best player in the world.
The side is so strong that even Danny Brough, the current Man of Steel winner as best player in the ESL, couldn’t make the squad.
And plus, having Wayne Rooney, Michael Palin and Freddie Flintoff in your corner has gotta inspire a bit of confidence.
Tip
Unlike many other vengeful Australian fans smarting from another Ashes series loss, I will not be hoping for the Kangaroos to run up a cricket score against the Poms.
But realistically I think the match will follow the trend of previous encounters between the sides with the match being pretty close up until just after half time before the Aussies run away to win by around 14 points.
Daniel Wighton and Joe Frost are The Roar’s Rugby League World Cup correspondents in 2013. Based in Europe, they will be providing an insight into how the tournament is progressing at ground level.
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