World Cup: England vs Australia

[DIEHARD]

ENGLAND vs AUSTRALIA
Sat Oct 26 KO: 2:30pm (Local Time)
MILLENNIUM STADIUM CARDIFF

[TITAN PETE]

Roos set to unleash Fifita on England
By Liam FitzGibbon
AAP
4:57am Tue 22nd October, 2013


Having done it to devastating effect for club and state, Andrew Fifita looks set to get a chance to wreak havoc off the bench for his country in Australia's rugby league World Cup opener.

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens has vowed to stick largely with experience and familiar combinations for Saturday's tournament-opening showdown with England at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

But he has hinted Cronulla wrecking ball Fifita will be rewarded for his stellar season with a first international cap.

The 24-year-old is one of three rookies in the squad and while Sheens indicated fellow debutants Josh Papalii and Boyd Corner would have to wait for their chance, Fifita is firmly in the mix for an interchange spot in the opener.

"He's going to figure in the selection issue for sure," Sheens told AAP.

"I don't know whether the other two young guys will, I don't think so at this stage, but Andrew will.

"He's a big strong forward and has got plenty of go-forward in him.

"Without saying he's in the side, he figures very closely in what we're thinking for the first game."

Fifita's inclusion in the side to face England would cap a remarkable rise, not least because two years ago it was then-Wests Tigers mentor Sheens who deemed him surplus to requirements at the NRL club.

Fifita joined the Sharks and has since developed into one of the most feared forwards in the game.

He made some impressive contributions off the bench for NSW in his maiden State of Origin series, and Queensland and Australia skipper Cameron Smith is welcoming a chance to join forces with the 116kg forward.

"I've never had the opportunity to play alongside him and I know playing against him in State of Origin was a handful," Smith said of Fifita.

"Let's hope he's got that same mindset for us and can do the same job."

Sheens biggest selection headache against England is deciding who will partner Greg Inglis in the centres in the absence of the injured Justin Hodges.

Premiership-winning Sydney Roosters star Michael Jennings and Bulldogs' Josh Morris are leading contenders while Sheens said veteran Brent Tate, a right-sided specialist, was also in the mix.

"Deciding that will be difficult," Sheens said.

"It's very highly-contested which has been very interesting in training."

While the team for the opener will have a familiar look, Sheens challenged his younger and fringe players to apply selection pressure by taking their chances in pool matches against Fiji and Ireland.

"In the next two games you're going to see a lot of those guys," Sheens said.

"Hopefully by the time with get to the quarters and semis, that's when I'll really have a selection headache."

The Kangaroos will travel to Cardiff on Tuesday having spent a week acclimatising to English conditions at their training base in Manchester.

Sheens reported a full bill of health for the England match with Matt Scott (thumb), Nate Myles (ankle) and Luke Lewis (shoulder) shaking off injury concerns to be available for selection.

[TITAN PETE]

Fifita would be close to the best forward in the game at the moment & deserves a start in the 17 man squad

[Mt Smart]

Fifita would be close to the best forward in the game at the moment & deserves a start in the 17 man squad

I'm looking forward to him going up against a few other contenders for the title of best forward.
Ignoring Hargreaves , Williams , and a Burgi ( take your pick ) don't play Origin I'd suspect they are being talked about by their own in debates for ' best forward' going into the comp.
It's exciting an I for one can't wait , Fafita needs to bring his best to the world cup , this tournament is shaping up as a real show of best of the best.

Fafita has been incredible this year , as has Williams , Fafita playing with the best Hooker in the History of the game gives him the platform to claim the title over other very good forwards.

[DIEHARD]

For the love of god dont play Sinfield in the halves and put Widdop in there.

[TITAN PETE]

Farah is Sheens' secret weapon

NRL.com
2:10pm Thu 24th October, 2013

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens plans to use Robbie Farah to target England's monster forward pack late in Australia's World Cup opener against the tournament hosts this weekend.

Farah edged out Manly's Clive Churchill Medal winner Daly Cherry-Evans to take a spot on Australia's bench for the match, with the Wests Tigers captain will to play his first Test match since 2012 and the fifth of his career.

Starting hooker and skipper Cameron Smith is still expected to play the full 80 minutes, with Farah to spend some time at dummy-half and act as a back-up for halves Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.

"I like the idea of Farah's dummy-half running against the English forwards, especially when they get tired," Sheens told NRL.com.

"Cameron [Smith] can then go back to 13 and play a ball-playing role. We used that system in Townsville last year and it worked really well.

"Robbie is a specialist nine and can play some seven. Our outside backs will be covered by [Luke] Lewis – he can play second row, centre, wing. He played wing for us two years ago in a Test match at Wembley when Billy [Slater] got hurt. Lewis covers the outside backs, Farah covers technically nine and the inside backs.

"If I play Robbie, it will probably be to play Cameron at 13, so I won't be replacing Cameron unless he needs a break.

"You have to cover every base. We didn't anticipate losing Billy for the tournament two years ago, so we have to cover those options and I think we have hopefully every scenario covered in this game."

Brent Tate was the other surprise selection in the centres, pipping Michael Jennings to take the position vacated by the injured Justin Hodges, while Andrew Fifita will make his Kangaroos debut off the bench.

Australian team to face England: Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Brent Tate, Greg Inglis, Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matthew Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), James Tamou, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen (vc). Interchange: Robbie Farah, Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis, Corey Parker, Jarryd Hayne, Nate Myles. (two to be omitted).

[Mt Smart]

For the love of god dont play Sinfield in the halves and put Widdop in there.

Yup. Macbanana is possibly the worst coach at the world cup and that's without knowing anything about the other coaches.
There is a bit of anti NRL sentiment in the camp , well not anti as such , more a lack of understanding about how too use the NRL based poms , to that end Macbanana has passed over the opportunity to play three Bergi. They would be something to see unleashed in a single contest against Australia.

I feel sorry for Widdop self promoting over their in an article arguing that he has something to offer England. He shouldn't have to mention to their media that ' winning an NRL premiership would count for something you would think "
Any way they have much bigger problems than team selections with their camp falling apart.

[TITAN PETE]

Burgess boys in, Graham out for England
By Liam FitzGibbon
AAP
3:25am Fri 25th October, 2013



Bulldogs star James Graham has been left out of England's side to face Australia.
England have named three Burgess brothers in the squad to face Australia in the rugby league World Cup opener but Canterbury Bulldogs enforcer James Graham was surprisingly left out.

Former England captain Graham was the notable absentee from coach Steve McNamara's 19-man squad for Saturday's match in Cardiff amid speculation he's been stood down for his part in the drinking session which led to Gareth Hock's expulsion from the tournament.

England officials on Thursday refused to comment on Graham's omission but it's believed he has effectively been suspended for one match.

Hock claimed in a BBC interview he was one of "six or seven" players who broke the seven-day alcohol ban in the wake of England's shock defeat by Italy at Salford on Saturday.

Complaining he had been made a scapegoat, Hock claimed McNamara had told him the other players involved would also be disciplined.

Graham's absence has paved the way for 21-year-old Tom Burgess to win a place in the squad, which will be trimmed to 17 players.

Tom Burgess was left out of the squad that fell to Italy in a warm-up match but he and twin brother George are in line to make their Test debuts alongside older sibling Sam.

It means the trio of brothers, who all play for South Sydney, become the first named together in an England rugby league side.

George and Tom are two of four uncapped players, along with Wigan backrower Liam Farrell and Huddersfield Giants forward Brett Ferres, a late replacement for Hock.

St George Illawarra-bound playmaker Gareth Widdop also made the squad, capping his remarkable return from a serious hip injury suffered playing for Melbourne Storm four months ago.

Leeds star Kevin Sinfield will captain a side that also features fullback Sam Tomkins, the game's most expensive player after he signed for the New Zealand Warriors next season.

McNamara is confident the 15-14 loss to Italy is now behind his side heading into Saturday's clash at Millennium Stadium.

"The players have trained well all week and we are ready to take on Australia," the coach said.

"We have healthy competition for places across all areas.

"The players are aware of this and continue to put in the effort in training to make sure they are prepared and ready for what should be a thrilling game.

"We know we are going to have play well to win."

England are without forward Sean O'Loughlin after he failed to recover from an Achilles injury.

England squad: Carl Ablett, George Burgess, Sam Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Rob Burrow, Josh Charnley, Rangi Chase, Leroy Cudjoe, Liam Farrell, Brett Ferres, Ryan Hall, Chris Hill, Lee Mossop, James Roby, Kevin Sinfield (capt), Sam Tomkins, Kallum Watkins, Ben Westwood, Gareth Widdop.

[TITAN PETE]

A couple of strange selections in both squads but I can't wait for Kick off, when it comes to Test Matches there is nothing like an Aus V Eng game to get you excited

[TITAN PETE]

England v Australia preview
By Nigel Wall
NRL.com
7:00am Fri 25th October, 2013


Australia v England
Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 2.30pm (UK time)
Sunday 12.30am (AEDT); Saturday 11.30pm (AEST)

The 'Old Dart' will be out to puncture the Aussies' title hopes in this potentially explosive World Cup opener, fuelled by the knowledge victory could afford them a 'soft ride' through to the Final on November 30.

Meanwhile Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens will be hoping his charges can blow away the cobwebs – 14 of their extended squad of 19 have not pulled on a jersey with purpose for more than a month – and bank a victory that would seemingly assure them safe passage through to the decider.

The winner of this clash will likely go on to top Group A, plotting a course for a semi-final showdown with the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Samoa. Meanwhile, the loser of this match would most likely need to get past New Zealand in the second semi-final to advance to the Final.

On paper England pose a huge and skilful threat – although they had their confidence rocked when felled by lowly Italy in a World Cup trial last week.

In the forwards, they boast brute strength and aggression through the likes of Burgess brothers Sam, George and Tom and firebrand Lee Mossop, although James Graham has been left out of the side – possibly for disciplinary reasons – in a significant blow for the hosts. In the backs they exhibit guile through captain Kevin Sinfield, creativity through NRL star Gareth Widdop and pace and x-factor through excitement machine Sam Tomkins.

However, the key to their competitiveness rests with how they gel as a cohesive unit.

Meanwhile Tim Sheens has signalled his intention to run the white jerseys ragged by naming Robbie Farah on the Australian bench; the Wests Tigers hooker's darts out of dummy-half will be key to the Kangaroos staying on the front foot when the England defence begins to tire.

Watch Out Australia: Sam Tomkins has the flair and pace to light up the field and his injections will be paramount to England's cause. And boy can he sniff out a try! The flashy No.1 finished third on the UK Super League's try-scoring list last season, with 23 from 21 games; prior to that, in 2012 – the year after he last suited up against Australia – he topped the list with 28 tries and won the Man of Steel award. Tomkins has 101 career Super League tries and is credited with 16 tries from 15 games in the England jersey.

Watch Out England: Where do we start? The Kangaroos may not be the reigning World Champions but there's no denying most rugby league followers are expecting them to reclaim the mantle New Zealand wrestled from them in 2008. Certainly they have the cattle: a monster forward pack, bolstered this tour by imposing debutant Andrew Fifita, and a scintillating backline featuring attacking superstars Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater.

In particular, watch for the work Thurston and Paul Gallen deliver as a pairing; the last time the Kangaroos met England the duo seemed joined at the hip and orchestrated two crucial tries via excellent support play.

Plays To Watch: Australia executing precise, sweeping second-man plays inside the England 20-metre zone; Greg Inglis getting clean ball with room to move on the left edge; Robbie Farah catching the defence on the hop; England spreading the ball wide to their speedy flank men; Gareth Widdop scheming with the ball in hand and looking to beat or suck in Brent Tate on the left edge; George Burgess, utilising his great leg speed and strength, pounding it up like a battering ram inside the Kangaroos' 10-metre zone – then brother Sam tag-teaming his younger sibling, taking the next ball one off the ruck and looking to take advantage of the disorganised defensive line.

Key Match-Up: The packs. Forget any one-on-one battle – the prospect Andrew Fifita and James Tamou ripping in against the Burgess brothers is alone mouth-watering. Fifita made more metres in the NRL in 2013 than any other player, crossed the try line on more occasions than any prop (nine), busted more tackles than any prop (103) and was ranked third for line-breaks and offloads in his position. Meanwhile Sam Burgess ranked second behind Greg Inglis for line busts at South Sydney (with 14), scored eight tries and averaged 139 metres a match, while George averaged 134 metres and scored seven tries. Throw in George's twin Tom and the battle up front is a powder keg waiting to ignite.

Where It Will Be Won: Maintaining the rage – and the momentum. When these teams last met in 2011 England pressed the Kangaroos for nearly an hour before Australia hit the afterburners, accelerating from an 8-all scoreline to 30-8 at fulltime. Anyone who viewed that game got the sense England hit the brick wall, while Australia simply managed to click into another gear. Clearly England need to jump out of the blocks if they are to have any chance. Australia? Attitude will be a key asset – but lack of it could prove a fatal liability.

The History: England have not beaten Australia since surprising them 20-16 at Wembley Stadium in the1995 World Cup. Most recently Great Britain secured a 23-12 win in the 2006 Tri Nations.

Last Time They Met: Darren Lockyer brought down the curtain on his stellar career in fine style, scoring Australia's last try as the Kangaroos defeated England 30-8 in the final of the 2011 Four Nations championship at Elland Road, Leeds.

Sam Thaiday scored the Aussies' first try in the fourth minute, cleaning up the scraps of a cross-field bomb directed for Jharal Yow Yeh's right wing, before England equalised via a controversial penalty try to Ryan Hall in the 36th minute. Gareth Ellis was penalised in the dying seconds of the first half, handing Australia an 8-6 lead at halftime.

England drew level courtesy of a Kevin Sinfield penalty goal in the 52nd minute and the white jerseys appeared to be storming back into the contest.

However, the class of the Kangaroos shone through in the final 23 minutes, with the Aussies pulling away from their opponents through tries to Yow Yeh (57th minute), Thurston (62nd minute), Inglis (69th minute) and finally Lockyer (79th minute) – the Aussie captain scoring after grubber-kicking, hitting the posts and regathering. Incredibly, he then missed the simple conversion attempt!

Referee: Henry Perenara (New Zealand).

Televised: 7Mate – Live 12.30am (NSW), 1.30am (Qld).

The Way We See It: England could steal this match if they play to their potential, but the Kangaroos are seasoned campaigners who will have some explaining to do to their coach – and their fans – if they fail to 'turn up'. Which is unlikely. Australia by eight points in a highly entertaining and absorbing contest.

*Statistics: NRL Stats

[TITAN PETE]

Very surprised to see Perenara get the whistle...he's a Kiwi by birth maybe

[Smakked]

Australia by By 30 anything less will be dissapointing

[DIEHARD]

The pressure is on England, they simply must perform or they are in big trouble.

Im backing a strong Kangaroos win, 18 points. But would love to see a contest and some biff and a Tomkins try.

[Chaserz]

Well the start was a bit disappointing and a bit slow. That was some bad defence on the outside in my opinion, so it was no wonder the first 4-0 in favour of England was easily done.

Quite some hiccups, until JT scored a try... and as we speak now Birdy maaaaaan!

[TITAN PETE]

It was a good game, Aussies looked a little rusty for the 1st 20 minutes before JT took control , the Poms will never beat us with Sinfield playing 7 & Widdop on the bench..

I was happy for Burgess not to be sent off but if u don't get sent for that swinging arm then no one will ever go

Tate hasn't played centres for a long time & it showed , Jennings should be in the starting line up from here on in.

I think the Aussies will look much stronger when DCE gets the run he deserves, Cronk looks stale..