Skipper Cameron Smith rates Australia’s rugby league rivalry with England greater than the one the Kangaroos share with New Zealand ahead of Sunday’s must-win Four Nations clash.
The Kangaroos need to defeat England at AAMI Park to keep their tournament hopes alive, in a clash that commemorates the 100-year anniversary of Rorke’s Drift Test in Sydney when a British team, reduced to 10 men, won the deciding Test 14-6.
The Anzac Test between New Zealand and Kangaroos has become a regular feature of the Australian season, but Smith believes the trans-Tasman rivalry is shaded by that enjoyed between England and Australia.
“I really enjoy playing against England, probably more so than the Kiwis, it just seems there is a little bit more tradition between Australia and England,” Smith said.
“To be able to play in front of a Victorian crowd in such a big Test wearing the heritage jumpers, it is a big occasion.
“For the team it is a huge challenge, we are playing against a very good football side and we are backs to the wall.
“If we don’t win this one we will be out of the competition so we want to make sure we play well and give ourselves a chance of being there at the end.”
If England do topple Australia, the Kangaroos will miss the final of a major tournament for the first time since the 1954 world cup.
New Zealand host Samoa at Whangarei, in the other Four Nations clash this weekend on Saturday.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
They did enough to win. It's just that they didn't do enough of it... I'd love it if they we the whole thing.
Rugby League Development Fund
Roar Rookie
I think he'd be right if England were to actually win a game. England, even though they were leading at half time, still looked lucky and didn't look convincing at all. From looking on, their largest inadequacy appear to be their pace of 40 meters and particularly, off the mark. They look so slow. So even though they are able to make the breaks, they can't go on with a lot of them as they don't have the pace of the Australians or Kiwis. Their kicking game was pretty horrible in the first half, particularly their chip kicks. I think it might have been Matty Smith? Their set plays are also not up to scratch and look pretty ordinary. Maybe I'm being too hard on them, as I've waited a long time for an England Victory. Sunday was a really good chance, but they couldn't hold on. Perhaps they'll get better as the tournament goes on.