Sam’s final warning to the Aussies
STAND-IN SKIPPER EYES UPSET
England go into this morning’s World Cup final without their captain after the late withdrawal of Sean O’loughlin, but his replacement believes the big underdogs can deal with it.
Sam Burgess has stepped into the role after the Wigan loose forward failed to recover from a quad tear suffered in last Saturday’s semi-final against Tonga.
England’s task is made even harder by the absence of hooker Josh Hodgson, who has suffered an aCl tear. australia have not lost for two years, since Mal Meninga took over as head coach, and a stunning upset will be required if Wayne Bennett’s men are to beat the hosts.
The odds are stacked against England in their first World Cup final appearance for 22 years, but Burgess is confident the replacements can step up and spring a surprise.
‘I’m really disappointed for Sean, and for Josh as well,’ the South Sydney Rabbitohs forward said ahead of the clash at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
‘not many people are talking about Josh but what he has brought to the England side over the last three or four years has been fantastic.
‘We lose two senior boys who are great players, but we also gain (hooker) James Roby, who gets a chance to start the game, and Ben Currie will get the chance to start on that left edge.
‘So, as much as we’ll miss the boys, we’ve got some great players coming in and we’re excited at the opportunity.
‘I don’t see that a lot changes for us. We’ve been extremely consistent in our training.’
O’loughlin was given a 50-50 chance by Bennett earlier in the week and assistant denis Betts says the final decision was taken by the player himself.
‘We have given him every chance and he’s given himself every chance by working really hard with our medical team,’ Betts said. ‘He pushed himself as hard as he could but the final decision probably came down to lockers himself.’
Burgess will switch to O’loughlin’s looseforward role, with Currie promoted to the starting line-up in the second row and Jonny lomax brought in on the bench.
‘He has versatility and X-factor,’ Betts said of Burgess. ‘There is that quality in him to be able to slot into a lot of different positions. His role as captain comes down to the trust he has gained in the group from how he has trained and played.’
Burgess confirmed that if England end their 45-year wait for World Cup glory, he will ask O’loughlin to receive the trophy. Betts, who was the last man to lead England into a World Cup final in 1995, is hoping Burgess can succeed where he failed.
‘One thing I have learned from my experience is getting to a World Cup final is not good enough, because nobody ever remembers,’ he added.