England driven by memory of semi-final loss ahead of Tonga World Cup opener
England captain George Williams is convinced his squad have learned the lessons of their heartbreaking 2022 semi-final defeat as they prepare for a potentially crucial opening game of the Rugby League World Cup against Tonga in Perth on Saturday.
Williams was part of the side that were stunned by a sudden-death 27-26 loss to Samoa at the Emirates Stadium and acknowledged that in a career sprinkled with Grand Final glory but also his fair share of disappointments, that was the toughest to take.
“The one in the last World Cup was probably the most difficult loss of my career to date,” admitted Williams. “It does sit there and you can’t hide away from what happened, but it can give you the drive and motivation and there’s still players in the group who felt that.”
Williams arrived in Perth fresh from another knock-back after failing to sign off from his Warrington career by leading the club to an elusive Grand Final win. The 31-year-old will stay in Australia with NRL side Dolphins following the conclusion of the World Cup.
He added: “There was a lot riding on that game and it was not the way I wanted go out out. But sometimes that happens in life and sport and you have to crack on. I didn’t have much time to dwell on it, but now there is a determination to get back to winning ways.”
Williams will partner Wigan’s Harry Smith in the halves in England’s starting 13 but new head coach Brian McDermott has been rocked the late withdrawal of Morgan Knowles due to injury. Knowles will be replaced by Luke Thompson, one of five Wigan players in the starting line-up.
England beat Tonga in all three of their 2023 Test matches but the South Seas side is crammed with NRL talent and they arguably start as favourites for a match which, due to the competition’s complicated cross-group format, could have a real impact on both sides’ hopes of booking a semi-final place.
The strength of the southern hemisphere sides has already been emphasised by Australia’s classic opening win against New Zealand and Samoa’s 14-try rout of a France team filled with Super League players in Parramatta on Friday.
“We’ll probably go into the match as underdogs,” admitted Williams, whose side will be led by new head coach Brian McDermott for the first time. “Tonga are a stacked team and have been for a number of years now. We will have to bring our best game tomorrow night against a great team.”
England follow their opener against Tonga with subsequent games against France and Papua New Guinea. They must secure a top-two place in a pool that includes both the Tongans and Samoans in order to secure their passage straight into the semi-finals.
Williams added: “It’s a mad set-up, I don’t know how they’ve worked it out with no quarter-finals, but we’ve just got to win our games and do our job and it starts tomorrow.
“I know everyone will say the same thing, but I do think this group is hungry. I’m not going to tell you all the tricks, but it’s been different and enjoyable. The group has bought into what Brian wants to do, and hopefully you’ll see that on Saturday.”
England’s women also begin their campaign on Saturday against World Cup debutants Wales in a match which will immediately precede the men’s match in Perth.
Published: by Radio NewsHub