ROO BEAUTY

JAMES GRAHAM has had enough misery against Australia.

The England prop has hit the heights since joining NRL side Canterbury Bulldogs, establishing himself as one of the best in the world.

But in an international jersey it has been the complete opposite for the former St Helens star.

It is ten years since Great Britain beat the Aussies and 21 since an England team got the better of them.

Worst of all was England’s 16-12 loss to the Kangaroos in 2014, that many felt should have gone the other way courtesy of Ryan Hall’s disallowed try.

Graham said: “There’s not too many happy memories to be honest — you only have to look back at some recent results to see that. But hopefully I’ll be a part of a team that amends that. Those games have gone now.

“Australia are a class team but we’re a good team too. Hopefully we can do English rugby league proud.”

Graham will be back in the front row for today’s London Stadium tussle with the Aussies after missing last week’s Coventry trip with a knee injury, as Wayne Bennett’s men aim to rediscover their form.

The 38-12 win over Scotland did not paper over the cracks of a poor performance but the Bulldogs skipper admitted he was happier after the onepoint loss to New Zealand.

Graham said: “It’s difficult being on the sidelines when you’ve invested a lot within a group — whether that’s Canterbury, England or at St Helens.

“Sport is a funny thing. We were more pleased with our performance against New Zealand when we lost.”

With a place in the Four Nations final up for grabs, the 31-year-old is only looking forward now.

He said: “All the focus is on Australia. It is exciting, because it’s a long time since England have beaten them, which brings some added pressure but that’s good. This group is really excited about the prospect of what lies ahead.”

There will be a familiar face in green and gold for Graham as he takes on Canterbury club-mate David Klemmer.

And the 31-year-old is in no doubt about where the main battle will be.

He said: “David’s been my team-mate for a number of years now at Canterbury, so I know how good he is.

“He’s really taken his form into the Four Nations and I thought he was outstanding last week. I’m expecting big runs and big tackles and he’s not bad with the ball in hand.”

Graham will also be in close quarters with Aussie prop Matt Scott. Scott stands 6ft 1in tall and weighs in around 17st yet even he admits he is walking in the land of the giants when compared to England’s three Burgess brothers and the likes of Graham and Chris Hill.

But Scott, 31, still believes he and his Kangaroo team-mates can come up with a plan to make sure they are not steamrollered.

He said: “I’m dwarfed against all of these sides — even in my own team with Aaron Woods and big David Klemmer and Shannon Boyd. The England pack is enormous, that’s obviously where their strength lies.

“No doubt that’s where they’ll be looking to play us — through the middle — so it’ll be a good test for myself and the other forwards.”