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With the NRL season culminating last Sunday night in a thrilling grand final where the Sydney Roosters were crowned 2013 Premiers, the attention now turns to the 14th staging of the Rugby League World Cup.
The 2013 RLWC is looking likely to be the best yet and ensures there is at least another two months of rugby league left this year.
I will be previewing the 14 competing nations in each of the four groups over the next fortnight, beginning today with the giants of the sport – the mighty Kangaroos.
Australia Kangaroos
RLIF World Ranking: 1
Best Result: Champions (1957, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1992, 1995, 2000)
2008 Finish: Runners Up
2013 RLWC Odds: $1.36
The Kangaroos are the most successful team in World Cup history having won 9 of the 13 tournaments that have been contested.
They have reached the final of the RLWC in every instalment apart from the very first tournament back in 1954.
From 1975 to 2008, the Australians had a strangle hold on the trophy which was ended by one of the greatest sporting upsets in recent memory at the 2008 World Cup when a New Zealand side defied the odds and ambushed the Kangaroos on home turf in the Final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
The Kangaroos are no doubt still smarting from that result and avenging the 2008 loss will no doubt be a major motivating factor.
Seven of the 2008 team have again been chosen for this tournament as part of the 24 man squad which is no doubt, the strongest line-up taking part in the World Cup.
Australia will go into this tournament as heavy favourites and coach Tim Sheens needs to ensure he has this team fit and firing during the tournament without any room for complacency.
The biggest task for Sheens will be ensuring that the group gels as a team as there has been talks of a rift existing between the NSW and Queensland players in the squad which will no doubt affect the sides performance if the rumours are true.
Team Line Up (likely)
1. Slater
2. Boyd
3. Inglis
4. Jennings
5. Morris
6. Thurston
7. Cronk
8. Scott
9. Smith (c)
10. Tamou
11. Bird
12. Thaiday
13. Gallen (vc)
14. Fifita
15. Lewis
16. Myles
17. Cherry-Evans
Squad Members: Farah, Parker, Tate, Hayne, Cordner, Morris, Papalii
Key Player
It’s hard to pick one individual in such a star studded line-up that includes the likes of Slater, Inglis, Thurston, Cronk and Gallen.
I do however believe Cameron Smith is the best player in the world and he will be the man to lead Australia’s charge in what is the Kangaroos first tournament without the great Darren Lockyer.
Lockyer led from the front as skipper and delivered some incredible performances in the green and gold jersey and executed brilliant plays at key moments in a game.
Smith replacing Lockyer as captain needs to ensure he can replicate the effect that Lockyer provided both on and off the field.
He has superstars from the NRL in every position and his captaincy will be a vital ingredient in Australia’s quest to return home with the World Cup.
Group A Fixtures and Opponents
Vs England @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Kick Off – Sun 27th Oct 12:30am AEDT
Vs Fiji @ Langtree Park, St.Helens Kick Off – Sun third Nov 7:00am AEDT
Vs Ireland @ Thomond Park, Limerick Kick Off – Sun 10th Nov 7:00am AEDT
Key Match
The opening ceremony will be followed by Australia taking on the old enemy in what is a fitting way to kick off the World Cup.
This will be the key group match for Australia, a real test to start the tournament. England will be buoyed by what is anticipated to be a very big and vocal crowd for the opener.
A win in this match will most likely give Australia top spot in Group A as the Kangaroos will be at unbackable odds to come away as victors in the games against Fiji and Ireland.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
Australia are the best team in the world and as heavy favourites will have the burden of expectation on their shoulders to be lifting the Cup at Old Trafford on November 30.
The same expectations were placed on the Kangaroos side in 2008, when they failed on home soil.
The challenge will be far greater at this tournament especially from their two biggest rivals in England and New Zealand which ensures it won’t be a case of just showing up for Cameron Smith and Co.
Australia will no doubt get to the semi-finals at Wembley and are expected to make the trip down the tunnels at Old Trafford as well.
Bringing the cup back on the return flight home will be the only acceptable outcome for Tim Sheen’s men as the $1.36 favourites tag suggests however I’m not convinced that the Kangaroos are certainties in 2013.
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