Australia and England captains Cameron Smith and Kevin Sinfield were popular fodder for the media at the Rugby League World Cup launch in Manchester on Monday for different reasons.
Smith was hit with questions about rumours of divisions between NSW and Queensland Origin players in the Kangaroos camp, while Sinfield was forced to front the huge media pack after England’s embarrassment against Italy.
A lot is riding on this World Cup, particularly for the hosts and their Super League, and the warm-up loss to minnows Italy was a big blow. Further to that has been the removal of forward Gareth Hock from the England side for a breach of discipline.
England are expected to be strong at this tournament, particularly as they are playing at home and boast the Burgess trio, James Graham and Gareth Widdop from the NRL.
But the surprise defeat to Italy has heaped a load of extra pressure on the Poms, who surprisingly overlooked the 2013 Man of Steel award winner Danny Brough who will turn out for Scotland.
England must do well for for the World Cup to be a success and a strong performance, hell even an unlikely upset, on Saturday against Australia in the opener would do wonders.
On the flip side the Kangaroos are out to reclaim a trophy that they had previously owned for decades.
The 2008 final was a real shock and this team must reclaim some pride in Australian rugby league and bring the World Cup trophy back where it belongs.
Smith was playing a straight bat at Old Trafford, saying the loss to the Kiwis five years ago is not still hurting.
It might not be to Cameron, Billy Slater, GI and co, but it is to Aussie footy fans.
Our cricket team is rubbish, our Wallabies woeful, our Socceroos struggling and our Olympians no longer bringing home the gold in truckloads like they used to.
Australian sport needs the Kangaroos need to be World Cup winners again like never before.
It will largely be a very different Aussie side that takes the field against England compared to the one that lost 34-20 to New Zealand in the 2008 decider.
No Joel Monaghan, no Isarel Folau, no David Williams, no Darren Lockyer, no Glenn Stewart, no Karmichael Hunt, no Anthony Tupou, no Craig Fitzgibbon, no Anthony Watmough and no Ricky Stuart as coach.
Remarkably the Kangaroos starting props that day, Brent Kite and Petero Civoniceva, will be captaining Tonga and Fiji at this World Cup, while Anthony Laffranchi will feature for Italy.
But it remains a very strong and deep squad and failure at this year’s World Cup is not an option.
Tim Sheens’ future rides on it and there’s no room for complacency.
Smith says there’s no talk of redemption but there should be a theme of revenge. And it should start in Cardiff against England where they can send out a clear message to all by pulverising the Poms.
New Zealand have a very good side at this tournament, possibly better than they did in 2008.
There’s no Benji Marhsall but they do have the last minute arrival of Sonny Bill Williams as well as an in-form Kieran Foran, a massive forward pack and depth across the park.
Stephen Kearney is without his good luck charm, Wayne Bennett, this time but they will be very tough to beat. They ripped apart the Cook Islands on Sunday and I’m tipping an Australia-New Zealand final again.
Across the rest of the teams there is a bit of a who’s who of NRL stars as well as Australian and New Zealand-born players turning out for other countries, and antipodeans coaching them as well.
Penrith Panthers-bound Kite, fresh from Manly’s grand final defeat to the Roosters, heads a good Tongan side.
Him and Daniel Tupuo, Jorge Taufua, Fui Fui Moi, Sika Manu, Konrad Hurrell and Ben Murdoch-Masilia should surprise a few people.
Samoa are missing Steve Matai and Roy Asotasi, somewhat controversially, but still boast Anthony Millford, Antonio Winterstein, David Fa’alogo, Junior Sa’u, Reni Maitua and BJ Leilua.
Their opening clash with the Kiwis will be a beauty, as many of the Samoan squad were either born in New Zealand or have previously represented the country. No doubt this game will be chokers with some huge hits.
Fiji have Petero, three Sims brothers, Akila Uate, Sisa Waqa, two Naiqamas and two Millwards, among others. They are aiming for the quarter-finals and maybe a semi spot as well.
Ireland and Scotland have their own fair share of cattle, while France and Papua New Guinea will also be out for the quarters and to impress. Italy have already caused a shock, the same with the USA who defeated France recently in Toulouse.
This expanded World Cup should present some good games and entertainment. There will be less walkovers and hopefully a new star or two emerges.
It will centre around the big three of Australia, England and New Zealand, of course, but ignoring the other sides and their value would be folly.
England have some issues to sort out and some confidence to gain, Australia some potential internal divisions to heal and New Zealand to deal with new pressure. Rugby league is a game that lives off a bit of controversy, not to mention crisis, and the World Cup is no different.
A big media scrum was on hand at Old Trafford to dissect all 14 teams and their coaches. It was unlike most rugby league events, but nearly all involved were open and willing to give their time.
Manchester United’s home stadium might seem like a strange choice for the launch but Old Trafford is where the World Cup final will be played and already more than 50,000 tickets have been sold.
The Theatre of Dreams is a magnificent stadium and a place where many sporting dreams have been both shattered and come true. That again will be the case on November 30.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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