England World Cup Preview
October 15th 2008 09:19
Leon Pryce can star for England
England will form the trio of the big nations expected to win the 2008 rugby league world cup. They are ranked third in the world and their history and roster suggests they have the necessary ingredients to perhaps wrestle league supremacy away from their deadly southern rivals Australia.
One can never discount the Poms in any sporting event.
Many wrote them off in last years Rugby World Cup due to their horrific form prior to the start of the tournament.
Then we see them make the final where they would just lose to South Africa in a close contest.
Indeed England are a team for the occasion. They love being written off under all circumstances and this is when the side prospers big-time.
But for all their passion and glory, the Poms are yet to win a World Cup, finishing runners-up in both the 1975 and 1995 editions.
Even when 'The Lions' hosted the tournament in 2000, they only scraped through to the semi-finals where they were humbled and humiliated by a rampant New Zealand 49-6.
Although the English team has had its fair share of dark moments on the world stage, that should not come into calculations when predicting their chances come late October.
Their roster suggests this England team has the makings to severely challenge both Australia's and New Zealand's credibility in Rugby League.
While all their squad is made entirely of Engage Super League players, the competition itself has grown as a spectacle, allowing all English players to build up their playing style significantly to combat the likes of Australia and New Zealand on a regular basis.
Players such as Danny McGuire, Martin Gleeson, Adrian Morley, James Roby, Leon Pryce, Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock are now able to take a game against any opposition by the scruff of the neck and control it to their desire.
Most of the above players have participated in the world club challenge title which pits the Super League and NRL's best teams against each other for the right to be the no.1 club on the planet.
At the moment, English clubs still hold the ledger over their Australian counterparts in terms of world supremacy and that will give 'The Lions' great confidence about their prospects.
Overall, England still have a better head to head record against both Australia and New Zealand. The Poms have beaten the Kangaroos nine times for five losses while they have also defeated the Kiwi's three times for only one loss.
But regardless of their head to head record against powerful nations, England have not acted when it counts.
For all their perceived potential and strength, they have severely underachieved in most sports and find themselves under pressure in League, considering they performed so poorly in 2000 at home.
England head coach Tony Smith will be expected to deliver good performances from the talented group at his disposal. But he too will be casting hope on one superstar in the making that can guide England to glory.
Despite his already tarnished reputation, whether it be squeezing another player's testicles or breaking and entering, Leon Pryce has a Greg Inglis feel about him. He could indeed star in this World Cup if he finds true consistency with his unquestionable talent.
For England's sake, they will hope he performs his magic on the field rather than off it, even if Australia’s beaches aren't as good as his beloved Blackpool back home.
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