World Cup Qualifiers

English thoughts turn to the World Cup - The Guardian 12/11/07

After Great Britain whitewashed New Zealand, it is possible to imagine England reaching the final down under next year

Let's get one thing straight from the start: England are fourth favourites for next autumn's World Cup, behind Australia, daylight and New Zealand. They may sneak up to joint third if the Kiwis don't have Sonny Bill Williams, or if they are still coached by Gary Kemble. But the most uplifting effect of this autumn's 3-0 whitewash for Great Britain over Kemble's Kiwis is that it is possible to be upbeat about England's chances of causing the odd upset down under and at least reaching the final, rather than fearful of a repeat of their 2000 embarrassment on home soil.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/11/12/english_thoughts_turn_to_the_w.html
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I'm very hopeful of a good run in the World Cup. Especially with Tony Smith as head coach. The Scotland RL site (http://www.scotlandrugbyleague.org.uk/) doesn't mention any Aus/NZ based players although I expect there'll be a few declaring their eligibility in the coming months!
 
behind Australia, daylight and New Zealand.
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Love that quote.

Though after England did give Kiwi's a bashing, i'd like to think that for the games sake that England can go in with confidence and play like they did.
 
Oh it's no trouble!! :lol:

Who wants to see an Aus vs. Daylight final?!? That would ruin the game for good!!

The good thing about Tony Smith as coach is he picks on merit and not on reputation. That's why Terry Newton got binned after the first test at 9 and Jon Clarke was drafted in. Players now think they're in with a shot for a jumper if they play well. In the past, certain players have been picked even if they'd had a poor showing for their club. Expect an Eng/Daylight final!!!! :lol:
 
eng should be able to adapt to it though.

im not sure what exactly is going on in eng with the coach changes and all, but if they play like they did against NZ, it would make for a much better tournament.
 
knight-no-7 said:
eng should be able to adapt to it though.

im not sure what exactly is going on in eng with the coach changes and all, but if they play like they did against NZ, it would make for a much better tournament.
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During 2007, Tony Smith agreed to leave Leeds Rhinos at the end of the season and take over as GB/Eng coach. Brian McLennan (ex-NZ coach) takes over at Leeds in time for the new season and WCC.
 
I'd say Aus, NZ and England could all win on their day ... all have beaten each other in the last couple of years.

The good thing for GB is that basically their whole squad that smashed NZ this year are English players. I'd have them second favourites. NZ have a terrible coach, and their best players are always injured, as well as no halves, and no replacements for Wiki (and Jones, for that matter).
 
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