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WIZ: Heavyweights will deliver knockout blows in the RLWC semis

19th November, 2013
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Read all about it! What will the headlines say tomorrow about tonight's game? (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Expert
19th November, 2013
19
1494 Reads

I’ll be right up front from the start. I’ll be staggered if Australia and New Zealand don’t win their semis this weekend and knuckle down for one heck of a battle in the World Cup final.

That is the way most thought it would go and perhaps this is what the game deserves to polish off a tremendous tournament which has done much to spread the code’s gospel to many corners of the sporting globe.

We are heading for a double header at Wembley (early Sunday, AEST).

I see the all-round professionalism of the Kangaroos way too good for the plucky Fijians who will be trying everything they know to give their warrior Petero Civoniceva a shot at glory as he approaches retirement.

Sentiment is fine but it won’t be enough to make the difference in this one. I feel Australia is vastly superior in the backs and the team has the steel in defence to steamroll Fiji and power through to the decider.

It is clear to me that Tim Sheens’ men are still burning at losing the last World Cup to the Kiwis. They were on a mission when they left these shores and will do everything possible to restore the balance of power.

Even without the injured Billy Slater, I am tipping a comfortable Aussie win by 20 to 30 points. I think Greg Inglis at fullback will be unstoppable, but there is firepower aplenty in this team and it will not be denied.

The New Zealand-England game should be a heck of a lot closer.

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The Kiwis, for mine, have been the most impressive team in the tournament – their defence has been truly outstanding and they have shown the ability to post points when they are needed.

I believe the England team leaders will need to make some tough calls about their team if they are to be any hope of toppling my beloved Kiwis.

For starters, I feel it is imperative that they choose all of the Burgess boys to give their forwards starch and impetus. It is going to be needed against the tearaway Kiwi pack, led by Sonny Bill Williams and Isaac Luke.

I would also urge them to pick Gareth Widdop at five-eighth. To me, Rangi Chase is not the man for a game of such importance. England needs a steadying influence at playmaker, a guy who eats up the pressure on the biggest stage and Widdop appeals to me as that character.

Over the years at the Melbourne Storm, Widdop has played as a superb foil to the likes of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Slater but every now and then he has been given the chance to shine in his own spotlight and he has done so effectively without grabbing the bold black headlines.

But enough about England, The Wizard shouldn’t be giving them too many clues.

New Zealand has really impressed me throughout their campaign. There is a nice blend of experience and youth and some exciting new combinations are coming to the surface.

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I like the way that halfback Shaun Johnson has been attacking the line. He will prove to be a huge threat to England with his blinding speed and tricky footwork.

Young gun Roger Tuivasa-Shek is also finding his feet in international football incredibly fast. I’m tipping he will be the match-winner for the Kiwis with his ability to score tries when nothing seems on.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the World Cup to date – there have been lots of great contests and many new faces (and nations) have risen handsomely to make their mark.

For instance, I didn’t mind in the slightest when the unheralded USA Tomahawks made their exciting charge right through to the quarter final stage.

One of the positive features of the World Cup has been the refereeing. If the NRL bosses haven’t noticed a better flow and continuity in these games which has featured just one whistle-blower, I say they are blind.

I’d like to think that the controversial two-ref system has had its day and that sanity will prevail in our domestic competition in 2014 and beyond.

And while I am at it, if the NRL doesn’t have the video ref talking publicly through his decisions next season, questions should be asked. Is there anyone out there who doesn’t like this feature?

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