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Geez, its felt like an eternity and a half since that thrilling showpiece between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Sea Eagles. Saturday night cannot come soon enough.
It’s quite incredible how much history the Rugby League World Cup actually has.
It all began in 1954, when Great Britain defeated the French on Parisian soil to become ‘world champions’.
Most league tragics have fallen into some sort of post-season slump, but fear not. It’s back again, on the world stage, for five more weeks before we return to that slump until February.
There is something different about this RLWC; it seems bigger, it seems more thrilling, it seems to be taken more seriously.
And there is a real good chance that the big three’s dominance could be tested by the so-called minnow nations.
Let’s start with the big three.
Australia seem to be less thrilling than England and New Zealand.
We just look obvious and dull, and I really hope we don’t see the usual Kangaroo performance where only Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk utilize the ball for 75 minutes of the match.
This is the tournament where I want to see Greg Inglis have more of the ball, where I want to see Daly Cherry-Evans be blooded, and the likes of Andrew Fifita, Josh Papalii and Boyd Cordner be given a run in matches other than dead rubbers.
England look the goods, I really like the balance of this team. They have a heap of experience from the NRL, and solid boys from the Super League.
Their pack is huge! Three Burgess brothers says it all.
Outside of the pack, they have the likes of Sam Tomkins, Ryan Hall and Josh Charnley, who have good speed on them.
Their only possible weakness would be Rangi Chase, due to his inconsistency, but the boy often performs well under pressure.
New Zealand are the hot prospects of this tournament.
They have a delicious squad that can come to bite at any time due to having so many X-factors in their side.
When Isaac Luke’s performing well, the entire team is performing well, and he will be their main man to spearhead the side.
Plus they have that three-named dual international superstar who even the Poms are excited about.
I am excited to see the likes of Josh Hoffman and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck run amok; they are exciting dudes.
Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson make an exciting yet unpredictable halves combination, which will cause sides a helluva headache.
And like I haven’t even touched on their forward pack…
They are my certain favourites. They are just the goods.
To the mid-spectrum of the nations.
Samoa are the most appealing and they will give the top three a good shake up.
Anthony Milford, Antonio Winterstein, Joey Leilua, Tim Lafai and Daniel Vidot make up their back line and their forward pack are another enormous bunch.
Their only weakness lies in the halves… you just have to look at Ben Roberts’ name.
Tonga are another side that can have an impact of this competition.
I will be hoping Jason Taumalolo gets a good run, because that boy can cause a rampage.
Scotland, France, Wales and Ireland to me are kind of the unknowns and I really don’t expect much from them. Same goes for the Cook Islands and the USA.
I like the look of the Azzuri. A good, solid victory over England will do them the world of good.
They have a few notable names, and Aiden Guerra will be the one to watch.
Also look out for young centre Chris Centrone, who has been training with the Rabbitohs first team squad this year and had a solid season with the North Sydney Bears.
The Bati are another good looking prospect, with so much NRL experience.
Like Samoa, their backline is promising and their forward pack has a lot of dimension to it.
Again, look after for another gun player from the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Apisai Koroisau, who plays 9.
And the Sims brothers? Hello!
Overall, this will be the most exciting and entertaining World Cup yet.
I will be awake in the wee hours, watching every match, because there will be another four months until we get our next fix of it.
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