England have three group games against Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs; they get their campaign under way against Tonga in Perth on October 17, before facing France and Papua New Guinea England’s Harry Smith knows his side head into the Rugby League World Cup as underdogs, but that is doing little to dampen their belief. England are in Australia with one goal; to win the tournament. Smith was part of the England side that suffered a 3-0 Ashes series defeat to Australia, with the world’s No 1 side proving too strong across all three Tests. Since then, there has been a change in the England setup, with Shaun Wane making way for Brian McDermott.
The former Leeds Rhinos head coach has arrived with a clear belief that England can find a style of play capable of troubling – and ultimately beating – the likes of Australia. With that in mind, he believes it was the game plan, rather than the playing group, that was the issue in The Ashes. Now, it is up to many of those same players, particularly in the spine, to play in a way McDermott believes can win them games, starting with their opening match against Tonga in Perth on October 17. “It is a proud moment for myself and my family, a first World Cup so I am really looking forward to it,” Smith told Sky Sports.
“It is my first time travelling abroad with my country so I am looking forward to it but us pale lads, like me and Zach Eckersley, we might be struggling so we will need plenty of sun cream. “Speaking to Brian [McDermott] as a spine and also individually, he felt like we missed quite a few opportunities in The Ashes where we were too deep on the add line and not ready to play. “He wants us to take every play as an opportunity to score so I feel like that is what he is going to push for, especially when you are playing against Australia and New Zealand, those really good defensive teams. “You don’t get many chances to score so when that arrives and opens up you have to take it.” After Tonga, England face France and Papua New Guinea as they look to progress through to the semi-finals.
Australia are the firm favourites for the tournament, but England begin with a familiar foe in Tonga in what is a crucial opening clash. Smith played for England when they last beat Tonga and knows they will face plenty of size as they get their campaign off to a tough start. Despite that, there is a belief within the England camp that they are good enough to go all the way and become world champions. “There is a lot of big lads there, especially for people like me.
It is exciting, you want to start the tournament well,” Smith added. “We start against a good team, we are looking forward to that challenge. “I managed to play against them over here and it was really exciting, a really close game. “Hopefully we can do the job again and get the win.
“Brian [McDermott] has pushed from the start that we are going out there to win the World Cup. “From our first meeting he has said that we are here to win. That is the mentality you want and you need. “Even though we are not the favourites, you need to go in with that mentality or there is no point showing up.”
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