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Although there are a number of matches being hosted by Wales, France and Ireland, this is England’s World Cup. And I intend to use that phrase not only from an off-field perspective but in regards to their on-field fortunes as well.
The administrators and organisers of the tournament have done an enormous job in ensuring this is the best RLWC yet, building on the success of the 2008 edition in Australia.
The focus now turns to the England players and coaching staff that have spent the last four years clinically preparing with hopes to deliver their nation a World Cup.
England
RLIF World Ranking: 3
Best Result: Runner Up (1975, 1995)
2008 Finish: Semi Finalists
2013 RLWC Odds: $9
England enjoys a long history within rugby league, notably as the nation who gave birth to the greatest game of all. The national team itself however has a very disappointing record in major international tournaments having never won a World Cup.
The last success tasted by the English was when the 1975 Great Britain team won the corresponding edition of the RLWC before the home nations split and began fielding independent sides into tournaments.
The 2013 England side could go down as arguably their strongest ever.
Steve McNamara has spent four years preparing just for this particular tournament.
Since being handed the reins in 2009, McNamara has used every minute of each day planning towards England somehow managing to lift the World Cup trophy on November 30 at Old Trafford and he has put together a squad that is more than capable of making that become a reality.
Team Line Up (likely)
1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ryan Hall
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Leroy Cudjoe
5. Josh Charnley
6. Kevin Sinfield (c)
7. Gareth Widdop
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. George Burgess
11. Ben Westwood
12. Sean O’Loughlin
13. Sam Burgess
14. Rob Burrow
15. Gareth Hock
16. Liam Farrell
17. Tom Burgess
Squad Members: Zak Hardaker, Rangi Chase, Tom Briscoe, Lee Mossop, Chris Hill, Carl Ablett, Michael Mcllorum
The strengths of the English side are easy to spot within their enormous forward pack which is arguably the best in the competition. Packing the scrum for England will be players who possess a combination of size, skill and agility.
Although the likes of Graham, Roby and the Burgess Brothers will ensure England are more than competitive up front, they also possess some world class outside backs in Tomkins, Hall and Charnley. The one area where England appear weaker than Australia and New Zealand on paper is in the halves with Sinfield likely to be named at six and Widdop at seven.
Both these individuals are outstanding players though with Widdop playing a vital part of the Storm’s 2012 premiership assault and the captain Kevin Sinfield is the reigning Golden Boot winner which is awarded to the Best Player in the World.
Rangi Chase is the incumbent halfback and could very well keep his starting spot but I would go with Widdop. McNamara has other options available within the talented squad, such as selecting Zak Hardaker at fullback and moving Tomkins into the halves if he wants his star to be heavily involved in attack.
One to Watch
While most Australian rugby league fans are well aware of the quality that James Graham and the Burgess trio possess, the key player in this World Cup for England is going to be Sam Tomkins.
There is a reason why the New Zealand Warriors have paid a record transfer fee for his services and I believe the performance of Tomkins during the tournament will determine how far England will progress.
He is the most talented member of the backline and really needs to showcase his ability on the world stage. Whether Sam plays fullback or in the halves, the more he gets involved the better England will go.
Group A Fixtures and Opponents
Vs Australia @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Kick Off – Sun 27th Oct 12:30am AEDT
Vs Ireland @ John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield. Kick Off – Sun third Nov 1:30am AEDT
Vs Fiji @ The KC Stadium, Hull Kick Off – Sun 10th Nov 1:30am AEDT
Key Match
The match against Australia will no doubt set the tone for the World Cup from a number of different perspectives. Every little plan that England have conjured up for this tournament will be built up in anticipation for this particular match.
If England can gain a victory over the Kangaroos, it will not only build confidence right through the squad but it will also ensure the English public will provide an enormous amount of support for the team during the rest of the tournament which the group can feed off and gain further momentum.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
If England are going to break their World Cup drought, then this is their best chance yet.
The side contains youthful and experienced personnel who are at the peak of their powers. The coach has spent the last four years focussing on this particular tournament and the moment has now arrived to claim World Cup glory.
Australia all of a sudden seem beatable and England have an amazing record against the defending champions in New Zealand having not lost a match on home soil against the Kiwis since 2000.
Throw in the home crowd factor which will no doubt act as an 18th man for the hosts and the $9 on offer for punters presents great value.
No current player has lifted more trophies over the last decade than Kevin Sinfield and there is a very real possibility that he could be lifting one more trophy this year.
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