The final 30 seconds of England’s 2013 World Cup campaign still brings hurt to the English rugby league fans who witnessed it.
Just seconds away from leaving Wembley Stadium with a victory that would see them secure a home World Cup final against the Kangaroos at Old Trafford, the dream was shattered by a piece of Shaun Johnson magic that will live through time.
They’ve waited four years to get their chance at redemption, and they’ve instilled the man widely viewed as the greatest coach of all time to lead them to the Holy Grail.
England
- RLIF world ranking: 3
- Best result: runner-up (1975, 1995)
- 2013 finish: semi-finalists
- 2017 RLWC odds: $9
As the birthplace of the sport, England has a long and rich history of rugby league. The English influence on the greatest game of all is vast; however, the success of the impact of national side is the complete opposite. Great Britain won the 1972 edition of the tournament, which saw a split of the home nations at the following World Cup. Since then England has reached the final on only two occasions and both times tasted defeat.
There was a lot of promise around the squad that participated at home in 2013, and the media outlook is once again very optimistic with Wayne Bennett now at the helm. Bennett was behind the Kiwi campaign in 2008 and is no rookie at overcoming a challenge that most would hesitate to accept. He has named a very strong 24-man squad that includes some of the very best players from both the NRL and European Super League, and it’s one he believes is capable of returning back home with the trophy.
(Image: NRL)
Likely team line-up
1. Johnny Lomax
2. Jermaine McGillvary
3. Kallum Watkins
4. John Bateman
5. Ryan Hall
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Luke Gale
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Chris Hill
11. Sam Burgess
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Sean O’Loughlin (c)
14. Josh Hodgson
15. Chris Heighington
16. Thomas Burgess
17. Alex Walmsley
Squad Members: Kevin Brown, Ben Currie, Mike McMeekan, Mark Percival, Stefan Ratchford, Scott Taylor, George Williams.
The Supercoach has assembled a very strong English side, but it meant making some tough decisions along the way, including some shock key omission, like of fan favourites Sam Tomkins and Zak Hardaker – the latter the Super League fullback of the year – who were left out due to disciplinary reasons.
Even without Tomkins and Hardaker the competition for the fullback spot was hot, and the choice was always going to be a tough one. The incumbent, Stefan Ratchford, is under incredible pressure to keep his spot from Johnny Lomax, who had a fantastic season at club level this year. Experienced internationals make up the backline, with a high-quality halves pairing in Gareth Widdop and Luke Gale filling an area the English have previously lacked in.
Without doubt the strength as usual lies in the England forward pack – they possess the best pack in the competition. The toughest gig will be fitting them all in, including the hooker position, which is likely to see a rotation of James Roby and Josh Hodgson, which is sure to cause havoc for opposition teams.
(Image: NRL)
Key players
Without doubt the weakness in English sides over the years has been the halves combination. This year we see two halves at the peak of their powers join forces for England: the Dally M five-eighth of the year, Gareth Widdop, and the Super League halfback of the year, Luke Gale.
These two individuals were the best numbers six and seven in their respective competitions. If they can get their combination working as the tournament progresses, this England side will have as good a chance as ever in attempting to win a World Cup.
One to watch in terms of X-factor is Johnny Lomax. If he can maintain his position in the 17, Lomax will bring an element of excitement and unpredictability to entertain the masses.
Fixtures and opponents
Australia at AAMI Park, Melbourne – Friday, 27 October, at 8:10pm AEDT
Lebanon at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney – Saturday, 4 November, at 8pm AEDT
France at Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth – Sunday, 12 November, at 9pm AEDT
Key match
The tournament opener against the best in the world is the match that will illustrate for England how far they’ve come or how far they have to go. Bennett has stated that getting close to victory against Australia will be a win, and he’d be saying that with the view that the opening match of the World Cup is a trial for the final in five weeks time.
RLWC 2017 prospects
This is a very strong England side and they’ve got skill, experience, youthfulness and class across the 17 and also in the extended squad. They’ve also now got the smarts and tactics of Wayne Bennett, who has previously orchestrated a hijacking of the World Cup on Australian soil. I see England as the greatest challenger to the Kangaroos and expect to see the Barmy Army in attendance at the World Cup final on 2 December in full voice cheering their national side on in the biggest game of the year.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's right. Why not England? They're a top-tier nation. About time they started behaving like one.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Of course, it's one thing to say it but they actually have to do it. In my view, this match, indeed this tournament, is England's to lose. Not because Australia (or New Zealand) are weak (they're not) but rather because they're a top tier nation with the talent to prove it. It's a matter of belief and the patience and discipline to support it.
Renegade
Roar Guru
The question England should be asking is exactly the motto Cronulla utilized during their 2016 premiership... 'Why Not Us'
Renegade
Roar Guru
I think England are the clear danger to Australia this tournament Scott.... they should be going into every match believing they can win including the game against the Kangaroos this Friday.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Riley, Sleiman, Agree with you both, they are a big chance and Bennett will know exactly which strings to pull.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm genuinely excited. I know it's a corny cliche but geez, if you can believe it you can achieve it. There is no reason why England can't do it this time. Unless they score less points than their opposition. Then I will go and sit in a corner and sulk.
matth
Guest
I expect England to make the final this year. Their pack can match Tonga and is better than New Zealand's. This means their quality halves and backs should bring them home against either opposition. Then it's just the Australians and anything can happen in a one-off game.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It all comes down to how well England maintain their discipline and focus. In the Test match against Samoa this year, I was pleasantly surprised at how they composed they were. They played like professionals and weren't trying to win off of every play. Barring some drop ball towards the latter half of the match, their warm up game against the Affiliated States team saw a very consistent and almost NRL-like defensive line even until the very end. They didn't try and smash their opposition and let their structures do the work. It's easy to say that the Affiliated States were lowly as an opposition but England scored over 70 points against them. As a top professional national team, such a score is to be expected. Had England only scored 30-40 points, then yes, one could be negative. England are playing with a disciplined structure. Hall, Watkins and McGillvary are top line players. Everyone knows how much I love watching Ryan 'Thundercat' Hall and Kallum 'Nightcrawler' Watkins play. Gale behind a dominant forward pack with those backs and who knows what England can do if they are patient. Very much looking forward to this Friday's match. Go England!
Scott Pryde
Expert
England will finish second in the group - just can't see them beating Australia. Really want to see Widdop and Gale combine well though. Plenty of potential in that combination. A quarter-final with PNG should be winnable but then a semi-final comes down to who they are playing. If New Zealand top Group B, then it'll be them but as I said yesterday I'm not convinced they will. An England vs Tonga semi-final in Auckland could be a bridge too far. Of course, playing NZ in Auckland won't be any easier.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
England are as good a chance as any, they will be at Suncorp Stadium for the final in my opinion. Ryan Hall and Jermaine McGillvary are two of the best wingers in the world while Kallum Watkins is just as talented, John Bateman offers plenty of size and versatility. In the halves, Gareth Widdop has been resurgent in the NRL in 2017 and Luke Gale is now among the best halfbacks in the world after leading Castleford. He looks to have overcome his injury. In terms of the forward pack, they are all workhorse. Chris Hill and Alex Walmsley make massive impact and Elliott Whitehead is extremely durable. James Graham and Sam Burgess have proven time and time again they are some of the best in the world while the experience of Sean O'Loughlin will prove crucial. Add to that Chris Heighington who has been consistent for Cronulla as well as the hooker pair of Josh Hodgson and James Roby, and England probably have the best forward pack. Wayne Bennett has them playing with discipline and structure, two aspects which they have lacked in recent years. Friday's game will all come down to which team is better at grinding, Bennett will really be looking to push the Australians.
Renegade
Roar Guru
He was dominant in the super league this year which was a major reason why Castleford were too... Leeds are just big game specialists, like the Melbourne Storm, every year someone predicts the Rhinos downfall and every year they are there when it matters.
Renegade
Roar Guru
True Jumbo, but that might change with the mastermind now in charge.
Renegade
Roar Guru
They've got the best pack in the world right now Tripehound. If Widdop and Gale can produce their 2017 club form at this level... England are a big chance of being crowned World Champions. Lomax is a gun and if he does suffer a setback, Ratchford is certainly a very hand replacement. Can't wait for Friday, good luck!
Andrew
Roar Guru
Gale had a monster year for Castleford (Grand Final excepted) so would like to see him play just as well at this WC.
Jumbo
Guest
No. They lack belief every time.
Tripehound
Guest
As you've highlighted Rene the England pack is strong. Although no longer a spring chicken James Roby had a tremendous year and was running particularly hot as the season came to a climax. Sean O'Loughlin was also hitting a very rich vein of form going into the run in. Alex Walmsley will be worth looking out for, if he continues with his club form he'll take a bit of stopping. Mike McMeeken, too, if and when he gets a chance is a powerful channel runner. As you've pointed out for too long the achilles heel of the English side has been the half backs, but this time round they have players in their correct positions and running hot in their domestic competitions, I just hope that Gale and Widdop click from the off, with George Williams in the squad that should keep the pressure on both halves to be blob on. I rate Williams highly, he's got a big future in front of him. Here's hoping Jonny Lomax has got over his injury niggles, he's a terrific player but has suffered badly with serious injuries from being a youth player. Really looking forward to Friday now, bring it on!