There was a feeling of single-purpose vision and steely determination about Australia’s last Rugby League World Cup campaign four years ago. The Kangaroos had stunningly lost the World Cup final on home soil in 2008 at Suncorp Stadium, a controversial Joel Monaghan penalty try and a late Billy Slater brain explosion helping New Zealand to an upset 34-20 victory. Some called it the biggest upset in rugby league history.
When the tournament rolled around again in 2013, this time on British shores, the green and gold wanted badly to win back the Paul Barrière trophy. Tim Sheens’ team were clinical and effective, winning six games straight to wrest the title back off the Kiwis. No opponent got closer than eight points to the Kangaroos, and New Zealand were routed 34-2 in the final at Old Trafford.
Now the World Cup is back, again on home turf, and Australia’s status at the top of the rugby league tree is already confirmed. They are clear tournament favourites once more, and are adamant they won’t let complacency derail their campaign.
England (or Great Britain) haven’t beaten Australia since 2006. The Kiwis have been convincingly unsuccessful in their past five encounters. Their trans-Tasman rivals have also been rocked by the unexpected defection of Jason Taumalolo, along with the bans of captain Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor, and will also be without Kieran Foran and Isaac Luke. England will likewise be without the services of star fullback Zak Hardaker.
There is an air of invulnerability around Mal Meninga’s men, particularly after the way they cruised to the Four Nations title in the UK last year; there is a dash of fait accompli about the end result of this tournament and an 11th world crown.
But if, according to the pundits, the Kangaroos have won the 2017 World Cup without a ball being kicked, that’s not the message within their own camp. Humility rather than overconfidence is the mantra.
“Mal set the platform against Papua New Guinea a year ago in saying that every time you represent Australia we have expectations about what we do,” explains Australia assistant coach Michael Hagan. “The pressure is being put on the players to represent and play at a certain level for the Kangaroos. We respect the opposition of course, but it’s about making sure that we uphold the values of the Kangaroos.”
Like the All Blacks in rugby union, the Kangaroos have gone to a different plane, a different level than the rest. Every match is an opportunity to showcase their superior skills, to add another glorious chapter to their charmed history. The focus is inward, and also about honouring the great teams and players of Australia’s past. With the likes of Hagan and Adrian Lam, Meninga is employing the same methods and staff behind Queensland’s recent domination of State of Origin.
“The expectation is to win the World Cup but we know there’s a lot of hard work [to be done],” Hagan says. “There is a bit of pressure you put on yourself with that mindset, but I think Mal’s trying to get the Kangaroos [back] to how they were regarded in a different era. It’s on home soil, it’s an important event and we want to make sure that we do well.”
Some may have already written off England and New Zealand – Australia’s main two rivals in the World Cup –but the Kangaroos certainly are not. “I think the Kiwis [will] probably surprise a lot of people in the way they play and they’ll be out to prove a few people wrong,” Hagan says. “Blokes like Adam Blair have already talked about what the Kiwi jersey means and how united they’re going to be.
“I think they’re going to be a threat in the competition and they’ve got that knack of being successful in Four Nations and World Cup games when the punters haven’t backed them. They showed a lot of fight and spirit in the Four Nations last year and I’m tipping that’s what we’ll see this year.”
Then there’s England, who the Kangaroos meet in the tournament opener at AAMI Park. Now led by former Australia coach Wayne Bennett, the English have previously failed to perform consistently or compete with the Australians for the full 80 minutes. After 11 years of disappointment, however, there is hope now the “super coach” effect – which rubbed off on the Kiwis in 2008 – could take England to new heights.
“Wayne’s only been coaching their team for 12 months so you’d think they’d be better from the experience last year, having spent time together as players and coaching staff,” Hagan says. “We’re expecting them to be better this time round and it’s very much about trying to set the standard for the World Cup.
“We’re very mindful of their back five and that’s probably a real strength for them in how they bring the ball back from kick reception. That’s a real Wayne Bennett influence... that’s where you start your sets and build your momentum. You have to be really good out of the backfield. That will be a real challenge for us to get our defensive control up to speed on them. They’ll be very disciplined, [and] it will be very much be a field position game.”
Even without being able to call on Jonathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Greg Inglis and Darius Boyd, the World Cup is still Australia’s to lose. They possess experience and scary depth across the field. If the green and gold play to their maximum potential and execute like they know they can, no opponent can stay with them. Farewelling the “big three” of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Slater, with their combined 108 Tests for their country, in style is just added motivation.
“They all treat the Kangaroo jumper with enormous respect,” Hagan says. “I’m sure that will be a similar theme over the course of the World Cup. If it is their last World Cup then we’d like to make sure we prepare well and give them the best chance to be successful.”
