The point about it being difficult to win in England is solid.
The WC Semi was mentioned for good reason, England were dominant in that match.
Shaun Johnson was put under a lot of pressure, England are good at targeting key players.
Apart from some
Shaun Johnson brilliance in the 79th minute, his game was poor (some really rubbish kicking from pressure applied by them).
SBW was out played by Sam Burgers and Ben Westwood, again it took desperation from Williams late in the game to get us within striking distance.
One of our Try's in that same Intense battle relied on a miracle hail Mary play from Dean Whare (the out of bounds behind the back pass) otherwise NZ loses that final.
That Whare play was akin to lucky plays the Kangaroos have pulled off to 'unfairly' pip us at the post....*cliche time* .....you make your own luck......thats bullshit in this instance, you could set that play up a hundred times and likely not see that outcome in 99 attempts.....it really was a never seen before freak play.
England would have gone away from that game ( and the Four nations test at Forsythe's Barr) knowing they are a match for Aussie and NZ.....provided they adjust to the Southern Hemisphere style of eighty minute discipline.
That WC test match is one of the greatest played Of all time....a point not missed by English fans ( I read their forums) but sadly overlooked by Kiwi fans who don't know the English game thereby don't rate it at all..or are smarting from the disgrace that is was the WC final. Many Pom fans call that game the best test they have ever seen ( you have to remember they have victories over the kiwis and Kangaroos to compare it to). That game was a truly Titanic struggle, which can only be appreciated if you don't take victory for granted.
I know we were well short of where we should be last weekend in terms of protecting possesion and maintaining discipline.....and so will
Kearney.
We therefore have more to improve on than they do (always a good thing).
Kearney will know he can put together a different challenge on Sunday if his players do the basics this time around.
England fell behind after an explosive start by us....but the way they came back and remained clinical for eighty minutes is a measure of a real rugby league team.
For that reason I would love to see this Pom side give the Kangaroos a go over there.....I recon the POM's would beat them too.
There is a reason ESL sides win the World club challenge.....over battle hardened NRL sides.....the main reason is the southern hemisphere sides underestimate them and go in with a half arsed attitude.....lately thats changed....NRL sides go over there and show some pride in the NRL brand and go hard out.
Part of the challenge of winning in England is showing them the respect they are due....fans and players seem to struggle with that concept.....the POM's just take advantage of it.
