Pushing Australia so hard in the World Cup final shows the progress made under Wayne Bennett and should inspire great confidence for the futureIt’s the hope that kills you. If there is one overriding image that will remain with England fans for at least the next four years, it is the sight of Kallum Watkins stumbling and falling with the freedom of Brisbane Stadium laid out in front of him. Related: Australia edge out England 6-0 to win the Rugby League World Cup final – as it happened Related: Australia beat England in closest Rugby League World Cup final in decades Continue reading...
Twenty-two years on from Australia’s Wembley win, those beaten narrowly that day such as Karl Harrison, Phil Clarke and Mick Cassidy have their fingers crossed for Saturday’s finalWhen England take to the field in Brisbane on Saturday for their first World Cup final in 22 years, there will be a group of men 12,000 miles away willing them to take the step they could not manage in 1995. This time it will be Sam Burgess, Sean O’Loughlin and co vying for the first British World Cup win since 1972; then, it was players such as Jason Robinson and Martin Offiah who fell at the final hurdle.As in 1995, Australia are the opposition but the backdrop and circumstances are mightily different....
The 2017 knockout stages could be the most exciting yet but the international game remains undervalued, particularly in the northern hemisphereAs the World Cup enters the knockout stages it is difficult to gauge the mood surrounding what should be the sport’s most important and prestigious tournament.While things have played out largely as expected, it is the feelgood stories that will live longest in the memory. Whether it is the way Papua New Guinea have proved to be such wonderful hosts, playing in front of sellout crowds in Port Moresby, Samoa and Tonga’s spine-tingling pre-game tête-à-tête or the encouraging progress of some smaller nations, there is much to sit back and smile about. Related: Rugby League World Cup has been snubbed...
It was a season to remember for Leeds and for Castleford’s Luke Gale, while Wakefield bucked the big-spending trend and Toronto Wolfpack showed a glimpse of the futureHad these awards been published a fortnight ago, it could have been so easy to go for Zak Hardaker. The 25-year-old had looked throughout 2017 like a player – and, more important, a person – who had finally rid himself of the off-field indiscretions that plagued the early years of his career. We may now not see him on a rugby field again for some time. That, however, should not overshadow the outstanding form of our first winner: Hardaker’s Castleford team-mate Luke Gale. Related: Stevie Ward plays full part as Leeds equal record...
Half-back has been part of Wolves’ three-game unbeaten run and says recent upturn in form must continue against HuddersfieldIt has been quite the few months for Declan Patton. At the age of 21, the Warrington half-back has already fulfilled a number of childhood dreams, helping his hometown club win the League Leader’s Shield as well as appearing – and scoring – in a Super League Grand Final last October.Yet, and perhaps in line with Warrington’s season itself, Patton’s 2017 has been something of a reality check. The mysterious departure of Chris Sandow at the end of last season looked to be Patton’s golden opportunity to earn a regular spot in the team but the signing of Kevin Brown as the...