Australia and England will restore their age-old rivalry when the two nations open the Rugby League World Cup in Melbourne.
The match shapes as a potential preview for the final to be held in Brisbane with both nations widely tipped to compete for the Paul Barrière Trophy.
Australia go into the tournament as overwhelming favourites with Mal Meninga’s side attempting to become the first Kangaroos outfit to win a major tournament on home soil since the 2006 Tri-Nations.
The tournament opener will mark the first time Billy Slater has pulled on an Aussie jersey since 2014, the fullback sparking an inspired comeback in the 2017 season, culminating in a Clive Churchill Medal for his performance in the Storm’s premiership victory.
Slater forms part of the Kangaroos spine that also features Michael Morgan, Cooper Cronk and skipper Cameron Smith. The quartet all featured in the NRL Grand Final with Morgan in particular finding late season form to steer the Cowboys to the big dance after finishing eighth.
He replaces Johnathan Thurston in the No.6 jumper, one of a series of notable absences with Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis and Matthew Scott also on the sidelines. The loss of key players won’t help Australia, especially in the backline where Mal Meninga has no specialist wingers with Valentine Holmes and Dane Gagai have been forced to move from fullback.
It will mark Gagai’s debut, earning his first Test cap alongside Sharks utility Wade Graham and Storm enforcer Jordan McLean.
Gagai will face a tough battle against England winger Ryan Hall, who is proving himself to be one of the best wingers in the world with great speed, power and finishing skills. Hall has developed a knack for try scoring, with 32 tries from as many appearances for the national team.
Hall dazzled during England’s 74-12 demolition of the Combined Affiliated States in Perth. The match showed that the wall of white were prepared to tackle the Australians head-on with Wayne Bennett experimenting with the team by shifting second rowers Ben Currie and John Bateman into the centres.
Bateman will suit up in the No.4 jumper after a strong performance, with the warm-up fixture proving England’s new-found structure and discipline.
They have finally settled on their halves pairing of Gareth Widdop and Luke Gale, the pair both coming off stellar seasons. Widdop was named the Dally M Five-Eighth of the year after discovering creativity and composure with the Dragons while Luke Gale won the Man of Steel award after a strong campaign from Castleford, despite finishing runners-up.
(AP Photo/NZPA, Ross Setford)
The structure Bennett has helped develop was shown in their win over Samoa earlier in the year, trumping the Pacific powerhouse 30-10. Their forward pack have proved especially dominant led by Sam Burgess and James Graham, meaning the battle in the middle of the park will be crucial.
If England can maintain their discipline against the Australians, they could come a long way to announcing themselves as contenders for the title of world champions.
Prediction
Both sides will put in strong performances but in the end the Kangaroos will be too good for the Poms, eclipsing the old enemy in a tight affair.
Australia by six.
Australia Kangaroos: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. William Chambers, 4. Josh Dugan, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. David Klemmer, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Wade Graham, 15. Jordan McLean, 16. Josh McGuire, 17. Tyson Frizell
England: 1. Jonny Lomax, 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. John Bateman, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Luke Gale, 8. Chris Hill, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. James Graham, 11. Sam Burgess, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Sean O’Loughlin (c)
Interchange: 14. Alex Walmsley, 15. Chris Heighington, 16. Thomas Burgess, 17. James Roby
clipper
Guest
Well, Fred - well short of a sell out, won't take much notice of your predictions. Should have had the opener in Brisbane or Sydney, although Sydney wouldn't fork out the $4mil. they wanted - seems like a smart move now.
Andrew
Guest
You wouldnt get a ticket that cheap in the big sport World Cups mate. And they are the most expensive ones for the League World Cup
Andrew
Guest
Hows that sellout Fred?? Haha another great comment from yourself mate! There are empty seats everywhere and its a tiny stadium
Tripehound
Guest
The England side has the skills and ability to take this game, but do they have the belief in their skills and ability? I hope that they can play with the composure and tenacity that Wayne Bennett was brought in to the set up to instill. The pack can and must lay the platform from the first whistle. The key to England's chances is the combination of Luke Gale and Gareth Widdop, both playing in their correct positions and the form scrum half and stand off in their respective competitions, if they can play their natural game off the back of a dominant pack performance then England are in a great position to take the spoils. I'm buzzing for this now, time for breakfast and bring it on!
bungeye
Roar Rookie
F
bungeye
Roar Rookie
I'm a casual observer of rugby league but how can they pick Valentin Holmes over James Roberts or ado Carr? Holmes scored 5 tries this season, Roberts and Carr scored over 20 tries! How can you not select Roberts when this guy has got speed strength and agility comparable to an all black? Who would you rather chambers or Roberts?
Griffo
Guest
This match will probably decide who avoids meeting Tonga until the final.
clipper
Guest
Good deflection, instead of agreeing that the implied info by Peter Phelps was misleading you attack the man. BTW, I have never said AFL is a better game - that is up to individual preference. If league fans are insulted by the reality, then so be it - Barnaby Joyce has just been insulted thus, and will have to fight for his seat.
Justin Kearney
Guest
What is undeniably true clipper is that you hate league, that you are an afl fanboy and that you come to league threads out of spite and to deride the game. And you have been doing this for months. Your track record speaks for itself. You have also clearly demonstrated a disrespect for rugby league fans and are happy to insult us assuming a higher level of intelligence which is clearly wrong. I get it that you clearly believe afl is a better game. Good on you. But its another thing to demonstrate such blatant disrespect and bias. In other words go forth and multiply clipper.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
What was interesting about it? That international rugby league has always been at the mercy of village minds, both from within the code and outside? Well, we already knew that.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
You're lying cheapest tickets are still 45 for adults. Why do you feel the need to spread this misinformation? What do you and clipper get out of it?
matth
Guest
Fans do care. Non fans don't care, which is fine. I care greatly and much more than I do about the AFL world cup. If you want to see passion, how about you pop up to Port Moresby for PNG's first game. that would be an experience.
matth
Guest
Betting agencies were giving England 15.5 points start. Easy money I reckon. I can't see this being a blow out. If there is one thing Bennett can coach it is basic defensive structure and simple, mistake free footy.
clipper
Guest
Just let me know what I've posted that isn't true - trying to imply you can't get a reasonably priced hotel room because of the influx of people coming to the opening match just couldn't go unanswered.
Justin Kearney
Guest
God you are a negative afl fanboy. Give it away clipper. Seriously.
big daddy
Guest
Funny the cox plate is on this weekend. Winx is Australia forget the rest.
clipper
Guest
I suggest you look at more places - there's literally hundreds of hotel rooms available for under $150 tonight. Plenty of tickets still available starting at $24.95 Interesting article from the ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-27/richard-hinds-rugby-league-world-cup-do-fans-care/9089298
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Drooling guv, drooling!
Peter Phelps
Guest
I was surprised they didn't go for a bigger stadium, Ammi Park is great but the capacity is limited.
Peter Phelps
Guest
I also looked at cheap hotel prices One typical place wants $390 a night for tonight but you can get in any night next week including Friday for $110. Withe these kinda rip offs, the NRL needs to give tickets away as compensation.