Spirit of Kangaroos dominance now in question
October 30th 2008 08:21
Australia are now league immortals, just like their Cricket and women's netball teams. But have they become tired of their domination with comments from Kangaroos hooker Cameron Smith suggesting the English better turn up with their best football for the sake of league when the two sides meet in a few days time?
Indeed long before this world cup kicked off, many people around the World, let alone Australia thought this tournament was falsely advertised, with ten so called competitive teams playing for league's greatest honour.
Although the first round of matches in World Cup competition have been alright for some, it still has not changed the opinions of those thinking the Kangaroos will win this tournament with their eyes closed.
Now even some Kangaroos players are questioning whether this tournament is worth having.
I mean, if an international team can win six world cups in a row in relatively easy fashion, even the champions think change to world order is needed.
Indeed Steve Price labelled the Kiwis line-up prior to the match against New Zealand has one of the best he has seen, despite key personnel Roy Asotasi, Frank Pritchard, Iosia Soliola, Brent Webb, Sonny Bill Williams and now Sika Manu all missing.
False hope or false advertising?
The Kiwis were considered Australia’s greatest challengers to their throne but with the injury crisis they find themselves in, it seems they'll be struggling to put a team on the park let alone making the final at Suncorp stadium on November 22.
But now, England get a chance to state their case for league supremacy against an Australian side which has forgotten how to lose.
Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer said his side was 'rusty' in their win over New Zealand, in the process warning England to expect only the best from their Australian counterparts.
Although the difference between Australia's best and worst is pretty low to say the least, England's worst form has already been cast in their opening win against the Papua New Guineans.
Lions coach Tony Smith was indeed relieved his troops got out of that game with the two points without playing their best football.
But believe you me, England's best is just a few days away when they play the Kangaroos in Melbourne.
No one expects them to beat Australia as per usual, so this is England's chance to show the world what they are capable of.
Their forwards seem to be more agile than the Kiwis and they will match the Kangaroos tip for tap.
Indeed in the playmaker positions, Leon Pryce at five-eighth is the spark. He is the one that can take this world cup by storm and enhance his reputation as a possible convert to the NRL, because this kid can play.
England's backs however are nothing to get excited about. Keith Senior is 32 years of age while his opposite in Greg Inglis is not even 23 years old yet.
There lies the gap that England have to jump if they are to give the League world cup the excitement it deserves, at least for Cameron Smith anyway.
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