England kicked off their autumn international series in style last Saturday by thrashing Wales 80-12 in Wrexham. A strong England side – captained by Leeds Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield – scored an impressive 13 tries to Wales’ two and as usual Sinfield’s kicking game was strong – despite missing two conversions from the touchline.
The away side opened their account in the tenth minute, when Leeds’ Ryan Hall received a looping pass from Warrington captain Richie Myler to score the first try on the wing. Wigan’s Josh Charnley added England’s second just six minutes later, scoring on his England debut, before his club captain Sean O’Loughlin’s surging 30 metre run set up Leeds fullback Zak Hardaker to score on his debut in the 19th minute. Leeds Rhinos’ Kallum Watkins and Hardaker added two more tries before the break, though Wales did pull one back on the stroke of half time when Crusaders’ Christian Roets picked up a loose ball at the England defensive line and pounced for the try. The second half saw a demolition job completed by England though.
Three more tries from Charnley, two from Huddersfield’s Leroy Cudjoe, one from Leeds stalwart Rob Burrow, one from his team-mate Jamie Jones Buchanan and one from Wests Tigers’ Gareth Ellis. Wales did add a second through Fleming in the 47th minute, but there was no way back for the home side.
Perhaps a resounding victory was inevitable though, given that the Welsh side was largely made up of part-time players, whilst the England team was filled with quality from the Super League and Australia’s NRL. As a result, interest in the autumn internationals has been minimal – even here in Leeds, the home of the Super League champions, and elsewhere in the rugby league heartland of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Unlike in football, where the excitement is considerable around England fixtures in tournaments, in rugby league people simply aren’t too bothered – the fortunes of the club sides matter more than those of the international team.
In fact, this year’s series is being built as a warm-up for next year’s World Cup, and though this will generate more excitement, it still won’t be as significant as next year’s Super League play-offs for fans. Nevertheless, this Saturday’s clash with a strong French side should prove to be a more hotly-contested affair.
England coach Steve McNamara has lost Sean O’Loughlin through injury, James Graham remains suspended for a biting incident in the NRL Grand Final last month and key players Sam Tomkins, Rangi Chase and Stefan Ratchford are rated as 50-50. Though the match will be closer, England will be favourites, even if people aren’t all that interested.
Author: Ste Topping