Saturday, 26 October 2013

England and Australia - Rugby League World Cup match report


By

Richard Bott




PUBLISHED:


16:28, 26 October 2013




|

UPDATED:


22:43, 26 October 2013



Anger gave way to frustration for England and their beleaguered coach, Steve McNamara, as World Cup

favourites Australia won the opening game of the tournament.


‘We are frustrated because we are 

wondering what might have been after starting the game brilliantly,’ said McNamara after the 2013 World Cup got off to a memorable start

under the closed roof of Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.


‘We gifted them too many penalties

and too much possession, and you can’t afford to do that against a team

of Australia’s quality. But we still have the belief that we can beat

the best team in the world and want another crack at them. To do that we

have to win some games.’


Blown away: England got off to a flyer as threequarter Ryan Hall scored the World Cup


Blown away: England got off to a flyer as threequarter Ryan Hall scored the World Cup’s first try




High-lyer: Leeory Cudjoe rose above Josh Morris and Brent Tate to score England


High-lyer: Leeory Cudjoe rose above Josh Morris and Brent Tate to score England’s second try



Match facts


Australia (18) 28 – England (10) 20


AUSTRALIA: Slater, B. Morris, Tate, Inglis, Boyd, Thurston, Cronk, Scott, Smith, Tamou, Bird, Thaiday, Gallen.


Replacements: Farah, Fifita, Lewis, Parker.


Tries: Thurston, Bird, Slater, B Morris, Boyd


Goals: Thurston 4


ENGLAND: Tomkins, Charnley, Watkins, Cudjoe, Hall, Chase, Sinfield, Hill, Roby, G. Burgess, Ferres, Westwood, S. Burgess.


Replacements: Widdop, Ablett, T. Burgess, Mossop.


Tries: Hall, Cudjoe, G Burgess, Charnley.


Goals: Sinfield 2


Referee: Henry Perenara (New Zealand)


The victory means Australia will steer clear of holders New Zealand in the run-up to the final at Old Trafford in five weeks.


After beating an optimistic drum following three years of excellent preparation which suggested England had a genuine chance of wresting the World Cup back from the Southern Hemisphere after 41 years, one week of disharmony threatened to wreck those plans.


A humiliating defeat by rank outsiders Italy in their only warm-up game at Salford last Saturday was the catalyst. Some players then angered their coach by ignoring a drinks ban and McNamara ejected Wigan forward Gareth Hock from his squad and left others out of Saturday’s line-up as punishment.


He then walked out of England’s last press conference before the opener, bristling at repeated questioning about the dismissal of Hock and the absence of former captain James Graham among others.


So there was more than a hint of meltdown in the England camp 24 hours before they faced the old enemy.


Last man in: Brett Ferres, tackling paul Gallen, was impressive after coming into the side amid controversy


Last man in: Brett Ferres, tackling paul Gallen, was impressive after coming into the side amid controversy



Menacing: George Burgess was outstanding, battering Australia


Menacing: George Burgess was outstanding, battering Australia’s forwards and coming close to scoring



But a spectacular opening ceremony in

front of the biggest-ever attendance for the start of a World Cup raised

the mood and England did further as they showed tremendous drive and

spirit to run up a ten-point lead in the first quarter.



Australia may have been rueing not having a warm-up game themselves.

But, by the turnaround, the Kangeroos had turned the game around and

walked off with an 18-10 lead.



Hock’s place in the England side against the title favourites went to

Huddersfield second rower Brett Ferres and McNamara made history by

including all three of the Burgess brothers — George, Sam and Tom —

after their superb form in Australia’s NRL for South Sydney Rabbitohs.



Warrington second row Ben Westwood returned after missing the warm-up

game because of a one-match ban for punching in the Grand Final against

Wigan.



England needed a good start and got it when James Roby, Kevin Sinfield,

Rangi Chase and Sam Tomkins combined to send Ryan Hall crashing over in

the corner.


G.I. genius: Greg Inglis takes a high ball and scoops a pass on the fly to Johnathan Thurston to score


G.I. genius: Greg Inglis takes a high ball and scoops a pass on the fly to Johnathan Thurston to score



Going solo: Billy Slater received the ball from a scrum in his own half and ran 60m to score on half-time


Going solo: Billy Slater received the ball from a scrum in his own half and ran 60m to score on half-time


Great finish: Josh Morris had work to do when the ball came to him in the corner but got his arm free to score


Great finish: Josh Morris had work to do when the ball came to him in the corner but got his arm free to score



Skipper Sinfield was wide with the conversion but, after George Burgess

had been denied a try by video referee Ben Thaler for losing his grip on

the ball over the line, Sinfield’s clever reverse kick bounced kindly

to set up Leroy Cudjoe’s 19th-minute touchdown.



England had tweaked the Kangeroo’s tail and there was always likely to be a price to pay for their audacity.



And how they paid as Australia scored three converted tries in the last

13 minutes of the first half, Jonathan Thurston, Greg Bird and Billy

Slater seizing their opportunities and Thurston adding the extras.



Then Brett Morris surged over for Australia’s fourth try three minutes

after the resumption and, although the excellent George Burgess, making

his Test debut along with his 21-year-old twin Tom, countered with a try

after 50 minutes, England were, in McNamara’s words, clinging on.



They were fortunate to keep 13 players on the field when the

barnstorming Sam Burgess was put on report by New Zealand referee Henry

Perenara after what looked like a cheap head shot on Sam Thaiday.

Thurston, Australia’s most creative player, then landed a penalty before

a game-breaking try by winger Darius Boyd following slick passing by

Thurston and Slater.


England stuck doggedly to their task and, when a rare mistake by Slater

was punished by a smart pick-up and run to the line by Wigan winger Josh

Charnley, they were eight points adrift with four minutes left.



Australia’s man of the match Thurston said: ‘We were a bit rusty to

start with and England put us under the pump. They are a quality side.



‘But our blokes stuck to the game plan and got away with the result.’



Australia coach Tim Sheens added: ‘Considering the issues England have had, they played really well.’



England captain Sinfield insisted their problems can be overcome. ‘We

have a strong and united squad and, hopefully, we will get another shot

at Australia,’ he said.


Standing up: England captain Kevin Sinfield smashed Slater, showing England were a match in all areas


Standing up: England captain Kevin Sinfield smashed Slater, showing England were a match in all areas



Head up: Josh Charnley turned disappointment of a foot in touch moments before in a ty


Head up: Josh Charnley turned disappointment of a foot in touch moments before in a ty



England player ratings


SAM TOMKINS Put his body on the line in defence and was a constant threat on attack. 7/10
JOSH CHARNLEY Had few chances to shine but pounced on an error to grab a consolation try. 6
KALLUM WATKINS Showed some nice touches and did a fine containing job on Greg Inglis. 7
LEROY CUDJOE Took his chance to score superbly but at fault when Billy Slater scored. 7
RYAN HALL Maintained his impressive strike rate with the game’s opening try. 7
RANGI CHASE Quiet game, failed to impose himself on the Australian defence. 6
KEVIN SINFIELD Organised his side superbly and produced some telling kicks. 7
CHRIS HILL Helped lay the platform for England’s superb start with some storming bursts. 8
JAMES ROBY Justified his selection with some smart dummy-half play. 8
GEORGE BURGESS Made a big impression on his debut, deserved his try. 8
BRETT FERRES Made a magnificent debut, just four days after being drafted into the squad. 8
BEN WESTWOOD Spilt blood for the team but his discipline once more let him down. 6
SAM BURGESS An outstanding whole-hearted effort, highlighting by some crunching tackles. 8
REPLACEMENTS:
GARETH WIDDOP Played only a cameo role but did enough to justify a longer involvement. 7
TOM BURGESS Also strong on his debut, recovering from a shaky start. 6
CARL ABLETT Fully involved after entering the action midway through the first half. 6
LEE MOSSOP Worked hard but struggled to keep the momentum going after a flying start. 6



opening ceremony


Worldy: A giant globe was suspended under the stadium roof as acrobats peformed



opening ceremony


Kanga-rah-rah: Australian fans were outnumbered but noticeable in Wales



Twinkle toes: League legend Martin Offiah shows off his dancing skills as part of the opening ceremony


Twinkle toes: League legend Martin Offiah shows off his dancing skills as part of the opening ceremony


Indoor arena: The World Cup kicked off with the opening ceremony under the roof of Millennium Stadium


Indoor arena: The World Cup kicked off with the opening ceremony under the roof of Millennium Stadium











Comments (10)


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The comments below have not been moderated.




EricTCat,


Hull, United Kingdom,


4 hours ago


“Why do the BBC treat League so shabbily?”, you really have to ask that question? Seriously? Along with another certain organisation with it’s HQ in Twickenham the BBC are one of the keenest groups of people to keep League confined to the media sidelines. No matter the quality of the product, no matter how exciting, and how the game has mutated beyond recognition of it’s origins in 1895 to become a vibrant fast exciting sport in it’s own right, the Establishment will continue to do it’s level best to eradicate the game. Spot the number of Royals in attendance for a start! Personally I’d drop the singing of the national anthem in favour of Jerusalem or Abide With Me as the Royals have made it plain where they stand on the sport.





Greengravyblue,


Platt Waz, United Kingdom,


6 hours ago


Cracking game and even though we lost I thought we played ok, too many penalties given away which is something you just don’t do against the Aussies has they will punish you every time. Looking forward to the rest of the comp.




Iwish…,


Southport, United Kingdom,


5 hours ago


Quite agree and was looking forward to watching NZ in action tomorrow but it’s not on! Can’t believe that all the matches are not being televised live! Why did BBC take the tournament on if they are not prepared to give the matches air time! World Cup of our sacred game deserves better!





Greengravyblue,


Platt Waz, United Kingdom,


5 hours ago


Spot on Iwish.




justanopinion,


Harrogate,


6 hours ago


Why was the referree from New Zealand, if Australia won the game it meant that New Zealand would avoid Australia in the semi-final and have the easier route to the final?? England were excellent and are good enough to win this.




Iwish…,


Southport, United Kingdom,


7 hours ago


I too was really looking forward to the opening ceremony, what a pity it was not broadcast. England showed promise and the Burgess twins were impressive. It was sad that Ray French is retiring, for me, he is the voice of Rugby League. If only I could mute Jonathan Davies, he really irritates me! Can’t wait for the remaining matches. I love R.L.¿¿





Greengravyblue,


Platt Waz, United Kingdom,


6 hours ago


Davies is the most biased commentator I have ever heard If your not Welsh then you don’t stand a chance, his voice gives it away every time




Johnh1,


Gran Canaria,


7 hours ago


Cracking game. If only we didn’t always get refs who give all 50/50 calls to Australia. But still, the greatest game and a wonderful start to the World Cup. It will be a great 5 weeks.




Graham,


Bolton,


8 hours ago


Wth a little more in the way of cohesive play England could have just edged this game. Westwood does neither himself nor the team any good by his niggling in the tackle, he gives away far too many penalties and really makes me wonder whether he is sometimes a liabiity. Bring on Burrow, Graham and O’Loughlin for the next game and see the difference. But overall todays performance bodes well for the coming rounds.




Davy Boy,


Halifax, United Kingdom,


9 hours ago


Good of the BBC to completely ignore the opening ceremony for a grand prix qualifier !!! Why do they treat RL so shabbily? Good effort by England, but the usual combination of stupid errors, dumb penalties and not every player being at the top of their game cost us. The Aussies were their usual efficient selves, even if they aren’t quite the calibre of previous teams. Mind you, like their predecessors they are very good at getting all the 50-50 calls and plenty of assistance from the officials.



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Article source: http://www.fanatix.com/news/england-v-australia-rugby-league-world-cup-preview-live-streaming/158548/


England and Australia - Rugby League World Cup match report
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