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NRL star Gareth Ellis thinks the Kangaroos don’t rate England and perceptions could change dramatically if they pull off a Four Nations rugby league shock at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
It is more than 40 years since Great Britain won a Test series against Australia and England are only third favourites with the bookmakers to end that drought in the Four Nations.
West Tigers’ English forward Ellis feels England have given Australia too much respect in the past and he’d love nothing better than to send the Kangaroos home with their tails between their legs.
“I think we’re playing with a generation now who have never really seen England do anything,” said Ellis.
“They really rate us as individuals but as a team that lack of success probably contributes to where we stand in their regard.
“They can be a bit ignorant towards us as they’ve not really seen much of us but, trust me, it’d be nice to spring a few surprises this time around when I go back.”
Ellis is one of four Australian-based players in the England squad – it would have been five had Sam Burgess been fit – and team-mate James Graham is set to become the latest Super League player to try his luck in the NRL in 2012 when he joins Canterbury Bulldogs.
The 30-year-old Ellis believes the bulk of the England squad would perform with distinction in the NRL and says the success of British players down under is helping to instil greater belief in Steve McNamara’s squad.
“People put players and teams on a pedestal a little bit and they looked up at them too much, probably giving too much respect,” he said.
“But now we’ve got a few players who have played in the NRL it’s great and now we can believe in ourselves.
“Nearly everyone in this squad would do well over there.
“A few coaches would like one or two in their team and it seems to be the in-thing at the moment to have an English player in your side.
“Over the years you might see one or two more.”
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