Why we will have an Australia vs England World Cup Final

Bravo to the Tongans and the Fijians for making it to the semi-finals of the World Cup and creating the greatest shot in the arm for the game since the NRL was instituted in 1997. But sadly for the Pacific Islanders, the honeymoon will be over this weekend.

The World Cup format is designed for the cream to rise to the top, and neither Australia nor England have reached their peak ratings after four World Cup matches each. The Pacific Island Nations – Tonga and Fiji – have excelled, winning widespread admiration by going to the well and achieving the seemingly unachievable.

They both have fulfilled a life’s dream already by defeating ‘big brother’ New Zealand.

It is worth examining why we have two minnow nations playing off for a spot in the 2017 World cup Final – an exciting prospect indeed and a guaranteed ratings bonanza.

I do not believe the Kiwis would have lost to Fiji had their skipper, Jesse Bromwich, not been stripped of the captaincy and stood down after his involvement in an alleged incident involving illicit drugs.

Many believe Bromwich was already punished heavily by his club, the Storm, after he stepped down from the club’s leadership groups, was sidelined for two NRL matches and donated his Test fee to charity as well as undergoing counseling.

Kiwi coach David Kidwell said that it was solely his decision and he was backed by the NZRL. That decision may cost him his coaching career as his second-ranked team were defeated by 11th-ranked Tonga and eighth-ranked Fiji.

The former highly respected Kiwi international, Jeremy Smith, said after the decision was made to drop Bromwich, and Kevin Proctor, he hoped the stunning decision wouldn’t fracture the team culture and turn players against the coach.

Smith’s fears became a reality when the world’s best forward, Jason Taumalolo, sensationally defected from New Zealand to pledge his allegiance to rugby league minnow Tonga.

History now shows the Kiwis were eliminated from the World Cup by only two points and the addition of Bromwich and Taumalolo amount to more than a try based on my ratings, and that is without placing any weight on a fractured team who have just lost their leaders.

Former Kiwi coach Graham Lowe, 71, was outspoken on the Super radio network on Monday, saying; “The game in New Zealand at the moment may be at the lowest ebb I have ever seen it in my life.”

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England, ranked third, has failed to qualify for the last three World Cup Finals, but this year they are prepared by Australia’s living legend Wayne Bennett and already there are signs of the master at work.

England will play Tonga for a place in the final, likely against Australia, and you get the feeling that Bennett has timed his team’s run to perfection.

Make no mistake; Bennett is under enormous pressure to win this match. Nothing short of a final appearance will be good enough for English fans that surely will vent their spleen blaming “that daft Aussie coach”.

Bennett thrives on pressure and he knows his team only had a 52 per cent completion rate against Papua New Guinea in the first half on Sunday and still posted a 30-point win.

The bonus for England is their best player, Sam Burgess, was able to play long minutes after recovering from an injured knee and he will be much better for the hit out.

Gareth Widdop has also given his team a new dimension in attack after being shifted to fullback – creating four tries in his last two matches.

Widdop has always been a frustrating type when thrust into an organising role, but he now looks much happier and more effective at the back without the on-field general duties.

His strength is running and, at fullback, he can chime in on both sides of the field and create opportunities – something that has been lacking with previous English teams.

He may just be the missing spark the English have been looking for and Bennett demonstrated last week, by leaving out normal custodian Johnny Lomax, that he likes what he sees from Widdop with the number one on his shirt.

Bennett has two challenges he may try and sort out this week against Tonga.

He made Wigan champion Sean O’Loughlin his captain who will be 36 next month and, based on his form in the tournament, he should not be in the best 17 players.

He only made 67 metres from seven runs in 53 minutes against Papua New Guinea while also missing three tackles and making an error.

Not want Bennett would want from his lock forward captain, especially with Ben Currie putting his hand up for a starting berth on the left edge. That move would allow Sam Burgess to wear his favoured No. 13 shirt.

33-year-old Kevin Brown was a surprise selection as stand-off, but he only lasted 41 minutes after making just a single run against Papua New Guinea, and may struggle to hold his position.

How far can Wayne Bennett take England? (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay)

If Bennett decides to keep Widdop at fullback, he has the option to play ball playing hooker Josh Hodgson at No. 6 and start the highly impressive James Roby at hooker, while George Williams may also be considered again.

If Hodgson is moved to pivot, it would give Bennett the option to bring in ‘Aussie’ Chris Heighington onto the bench against the giant Tongan pack.

Bennett is famous for getting his teams to peak when it really counts and, while he will be very satisfied with his team’s defence, the 19 errors and poor 57 per cent completions against Papua New Guinea will be his focus this week.

His semi-final opponents Tonga had an impressive 81 per cent completion rate and only eight errors against the gutsy Cedars, and were considered very lucky to escape victory in a four-try all match (24-22) where Lebanon could have easily been granted two more tries.

Australia are considered a certainty to qualify for the final when they play Fiji this week, but first they had to overcome ‘soft’ matches against France (52-6), Lebanon (34-0) and last week a 46-nil trashing over Samoa in the “unbearable” heat and humidity of Darwin.

It is not ideal for Mal Meninga and the Kangaroos would have never had to recover from these conditions before. It was surprising he played his big guns for so long.

England also have their own challenges, as they have a short back up and have to travel to Auckland to overcome a heavily biased Tongan crowd.

Wayne Bennett will love the challenge and the opportunity to win a place in the World Cup Final played on his own turf at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

It is a brave man to say he will not go all the way, and then we really will have a World Cup renaissance!