What England must do to beat Australia
Australia coach Tim Sheens has been using some of his spare time in England .
The respected and likeable Aussie would have to go back a rugby league lifetime to locate the last time the Kangaroos failed to win a major rugby league final against the Poms.
Not since Great Britain squeezed out Australia in the 1972 World Cup have the men of the green and gold returned down under with their tails between their legs after losing out on the main prize to a northern hemisphere side. And that came by virtue of GB's superior record in qualifying after the final finished 10-10.
Tony Smith's England have the chance to write their own piece of history at Elland Road on Saturday when .
Smith's youthful side have played with a vim and purpose during the tournament that has gone a long way to restoring credibility in northern hemisphere rugby and the Super League competition that produces its players after the miseries of last year's World Cup.
Burgess (left) and Eastmond have impressed for Smith's England
Since sloping off the pitch trailing 26-0 at half-time at Wigan on 31 October, England have displayed a power, aggression and execution that had previously seemed beyond them.
They scored 16 unanswered points in the second 40 minutes against the Kangaroos and then and give Smith's team a second crack against the Australians.
But will they win?
"It is a tough mission, but it is not mission impossible," Hull KR's Australian coach Justin Morgan told me.
"Any lack of confidence that England may have had at the start of the tournament has been dispelled and they should be feeling like they can go out there and get a result."
The final will realistically be Smith's last game as England coach. He is out of contract at the end of the tournament and .
For Saturday's match he has stuck with the same 17 that defeated New Zealand so impressively at Huddersfield.
This means that Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield is once again likely to start at hooker - a selection that allows Smith to play the physically imposing Sam Burgess at loose forward.
"The best selection move against the Kiwis was the decision to play Sinfield at hooker," added 91Èȱ¬ Sport summariser Morgan.
"It meant that one of the craftiest players in the country was playing in one of the craftiest positions in the game. If he can match or outplay Cameron Smith this weekend then England could well be on their way to victory."
Sinfield brings not only nous and experience but flexibility. Last week he reverted to loose forward when James Roby came off the bench.
England started with the commanding trio of Jamie Peacock, Adrian Morley and James Graham - and were able to call on Eorl Crabtree, Ben Westwood and Jon Wilkin from the interchange bench.
"England have learnt that their strength lies in their pack and the more the final is played through the middle the more advantageous it will be for them," said Morgan.
"They have great balance with Sinfield at hooker and possess a really good powerful pack with dominant people coming off the bench.
"I always look at the crucial role of the bench. There is more firepower on England's and it is crucial that they outplay their opposite numbers."
Sheens, meanwhile, has wisely named a squad of 19, with the suggestion that he will leave out centre Michael Jennings and utility player Kurt Gidley in favour of four forwards if it is wet on Saturday.
Morgan is adamant that wet conditions will suit England, but meteorological conditions will be of little relevance if Smith's team start as sluggishly as they did in Wigan. Australia had scored all of their 26 points in 33 minutes.
"The start is crucial - if England can come out with the intensity they did against New Zealand then no one can live with them," added the Robins coach.
"The challenge is, firstly, to be able to do that and, secondly, to sustain it for a long period of time and then back it up with solid play for the remainder of the final."
Australia will look to utilise the devastating attacking skills of the likes of Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and Jarryd Hayne, who has had a relatively quiet tournament so far but is set to switch to the left wing for the final.
Inglis tore England to shreds in the first-half at Wigan
"England need to cut the thinking time of these kind of players and limit the physical space between them and the Aussies if they are to limit their impact," said Morgan.
Smith has stuck with the young half-back pairing of Kyle Eastmond and Sam Tomkins. Both impressed in attack against the Kiwis but what really stood out for me was their contribution in defence.
Eastmond played on the right side along with centre Chris Bridge and winger Peter Fox. They were very clear with their decision making - and whether they can resist Inglis, Hayne and Johnathan Thurston on Saturday could have a big say on the final result.
Great Britain talked themselves up in the build-up to the 2004 Tri-Nations final. They were unbeaten in the tournament and so you couldn't deny that they had plenty to shout about. Stunned silence followed .
England skipper Jamie Peacock - a member of that 2004 GB team - is sounding a lot more understated this time around, while opposite number Darren Lockyer is predicting a tough match.
Likewise, Morgan reckons Saturday could serve up a close and engaging final.
"There are plenty of boxes to tick in terms of an England victory but I still think it will be a very tight game," he said.
"Australia have not been beaten in this tournament and you write them off at your own peril. They have been at the top of their game for so long."
The Australians have been based in Leeds for most of their trip. Sheens has apparently discovered that some of his ancestors used to own the pub in the Headingley area of the city.
But who will be out celebrating on Saturday?
Hello, I'm Paul Fletcher and I mainly write about life in the Football League. I have a great enthusiasm for a whole range of sports and love to spread the word about the great game of rugby league. You can also follow me on .
Comment number 1.
At 13th Nov 2009, Mark Murray wrote:Billy Slater is a gun,he cannot be stopped scoring.Greg Inglis,the man is a machine,england will not put ten points on the board,there is something in the water down here,there bigger,fester,smarter,and nicer looging than any englishman,get on yer knees and pray,its gonna be a long day.MAYBE IF YOU PLYED SCOTLAND you might get a draw
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Comment number 2.
At 13th Nov 2009, HMMurdoch wrote:@ 1: Clearly you are not English, as your lack of a command of the language demonstrates...
Looking forward to a close match - England on a roll and the Aussies are always strong, and not talking themselves up, unlike their supporters....
Pride comes before a fall and all that....
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Comment number 3.
At 13th Nov 2009, captainlazytim wrote:I think the Aussie have to have a bad day, but that seems to happen more and more recently. With Eastomond and Tompkins in the team we've got a better chance, but if the Oz defend like they did for the first half against England then we're stuffed.
Regardless of result, i can't argue with Mark's comment on Inglis, he is awesome, but Slater can have a bad day. Lockyear, on the other hand, can't. Just to much class.
We're clear underdogs, and rightly so, but i didn't think we had much chance against NZ, so anything can happen That's the beauty.
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Comment number 4.
At 13th Nov 2009, captainlazytim wrote:That is some terrible English, Mark.
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Comment number 5.
At 13th Nov 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:I really don't think the Aussie supporters are too worried about this one. There is a survey on the Sydney Morning Herald website asking who will win. Not surprisingly 82% are tipping the Kanagroos. You cannot really blame them given the way results have gone in recent years. In fact, over quite a considerable number of years.
I do like the fact that England aren't really talking themselves up too much this time around. It all got a bit silly back in 2004. I'm also pretty excited to see how Tomkins and Eastmond match up against Lockyer and Thurston.
A few union supporting mates have started to ask me about Eastmond, suggesting they could do with a new Jason Robinson. The sooner he signs his new Saints deal the better.
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Comment number 6.
At 13th Nov 2009, Ozman wrote:Mark Murray, try speaking English.
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Comment number 7.
At 13th Nov 2009, captainlazytim wrote:A few union supporting mates have started to ask me about Eastmond, suggesting they could do with a new Jason Robinson. The sooner he signs his new Saints deal the better.
I said that a while back, and i have to say he is already better than Robinson fro a footballing point of view.
Get him, Rob
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Comment number 8.
At 13th Nov 2009, Marler wrote:If Smith starts with the same team that beat the Kiwi's then England can and quite probably will beat Australia.
Sinfield at Hooker and Burgess at Loose Forward was a masterstroke. Roby may not like it but he still isn't good enough to start this kind of game. That England forward line is the best of the big three nations. Unlike in recent years the Aussies have huge respect for that pack. Morley and Ellis have both been big hits in the NRL, Burgess has been snapped up for next year and you know they rate Peacock too. When you throw Graham and Crabtree into the mix as well then you can see why England are confident of winning the battle up front.
No doubt Australia have the best back line of any team (by a long way) but if the forwards can't lay the foundations then you have to worry about just how much ball they will get. Although I would take the point that the likes of Inglis and Hayne don't need too much of it to make you pay...
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Comment number 9.
At 13th Nov 2009, StandfreeFM wrote:Honestly, we do try and teach syntax up here, not so you'd know it from Mark Murray's illiterite ramblings.
Really looking forward to the game tomorrow, if only to try and wipe the memories of the 2004 game from my mind. I must admit, I got caught up in the hype before that one. Just hope they keep the head if (when?) they lose a try as if they lose tries in clusters (2 weeks ago, Leeds v Manly) it is almost impossible to come back from.
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Comment number 10.
At 13th Nov 2009, StandfreeFM wrote:Jeez, now I go and misspell 'illiterate'. There's nothing like a Scotch education.
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Comment number 11.
At 13th Nov 2009, Raskham wrote:Genuine Union fan here and I promise I'm not Wumming.
I've never really understood the point of positions (particularly forwards) in League apart from half backs, wingers and fullback.
How can hooker be described as a 'crafty position'. He has no influence in the scrums (and I'm using that term pretty loosely) and will just line up in defence and attack along with everyone else.
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Comment number 12.
At 13th Nov 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:OK Raskham21 - an honest question and so I'll try to given honest answer.
You're correct to suggest that scrums are largely an irrelevance (apart from committing several players to one small part of the field, thus allowing a team to display their set-move skills).
However, a hooker is heavily involved around the rucks and the play-the-ball. This means they probably touch the ball more than any other player and have a massive influence in shaping a team's attacking ability. They start so many attacking moves - they are vital. They must decide whether to pass - and if so who to - or to run with the ball and eat up quick yards if a team has been slow in lining up defensively.
This is why Justin Morgan correctly calls it a crafty position.
StandfreeFM - Scotch? Wind-up surely?
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Comment number 13.
At 13th Nov 2009, StandfreeFM wrote:Sorry, it's part of a qoute from an Ivor Cutler poem -
"There's nothing quite like a Scotch education. One is left with an
irreparable debt. My head is full of irregular verbs still."
Went to the Scotland v Lebanon match the day after watching Eng v Aus on the tv. Looked about twice as slow, but the conditions must have played a part. Are the French the best bet to make up the extra place in 2011 and not embarrass themselves?
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Comment number 14.
At 13th Nov 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:StandfreeFM - like it. An excellent cultural reference to bolster your riposte. I have no answer to that one.
I cannot help but think that the longer Catalans play in Super League, the stronger the French will become (assuming they don't just pack their side with imports).
There is a lot of work to do with the international game but the international board seems to have a long-term, coherant plan in place and I'm hoping it will eventually bear fruit.
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Comment number 15.
At 14th Nov 2009, SouthsNZ wrote:Hooker is a very important position. You dictate the whole tempo of your team's play from there. Cam Smith is one of the best I've seen, for The Storm & Australia.
This is League, not Rugby, forget scrums! There aren't lineouts either...
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Comment number 16.
At 14th Nov 2009, Ian B wrote:Raskham
In many ways, the hooker in league is most like the scrum half in Union, in being the first player to get the ball after each breakdown. As with a good union SH, the hooker needs to make the right pass from dummy half and pick the right time to run himself. Only real difference is that in all my time playing there, I never put up a box kick. Another similarity with the RU scrum half is that in defence you're often in the thick of the action, against bigger players, so you have to be prepared to put in a few tackles.
The league scrum half is more like a playmaking fly half or inside centre in RU - guys that will take the ball up to the defence and then look to put runners in gaps, and now with increasingly clever kicking games.
Sinfield wouldn't normally be your typical 9 (who is often one of the smaller players on the pitch), but has such good ditribution skills that he manages that aspect fairly well and provides a greater running and off-loading threat than most.
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Comment number 17.
At 14th Nov 2009, colin terry wrote:This should turn out to be a great game this morning (afternoon). The final result, in my opinion, will depend on how well the forwards from either team can dominate and control the game. To name just a few from England, Gareth Ellis, Jamie Peacock, Sam Burgess and not forgetting Eorl Crabtree coming from the bench take control then Sam Tomkins will have a field day and certainly keep the Aussies on their toes. In saying that, Tim Sheens apart from an astute coach is an expert at playing mind games...his final lineup should come up with the "goods". If the Aussie forwards take control, then the Jonathon Thurston, Greg Inglis, combination should be awesome, Darren Lockyer is great at reading the game and directing play, however,at times he can be wanting in defence.
All in all, as I mentioned earlier, I don't believe there is any certainty as to a forgone conclusion, and I'm looking forward to a good hard game!!! Ohh , and go the Green and Golds!!!!
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Comment number 18.
At 14th Nov 2009, WhiteRoseRules wrote:I think Sinfield could be the key to the game.
The last 3 grand finals and the world club 2 years ago his kicking game in dodgy conditions was examplary, he turns the opposition backs and keeps his team on the front foot. If he can do this tonight England could create enough chances to win.
The weather will help England but if they dont kick and chase well the superiority of the Australian backs will probably prove too much
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Comment number 19.
At 14th Nov 2009, powerfulLeedsRhinos wrote:We will beat the Aussies as we did to the Kiwis.
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Comment number 20.
At 16th Nov 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:Well, I guess we have our answer now.
I thought there was a lot to enjoy about the final. For an hour it was a physical and brutal contest worthy of a big match. Then it all changed. I guess we can do nothing but admire the way the Kangaroos finished the tournament in such truly destructive style.
From England's point of view it was a crushingly disappointing end but, looking at the bigger picture, I thought the team showed plenty of potential that they can look to build upon.
They just need to find a coach now!
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Comment number 21.
At 16th Nov 2009, Rovers Return - HKR AWAY DAYS wrote:"From England's point of view it was a crushingly disappointing end but, looking at the bigger picture, I thought the team showed plenty of potential that they can look to build upon."
I'm glad someone else is on my wavelength!
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Comment number 22.
At 16th Nov 2009, MauriceMatthews wrote:"They just need to find a coach now!"
Justin Morgan fits the bill.
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