UNLEASHNRL

England’s Magnificent Seven Oz-based stars hold key to bid for World Cup glory

JOSH HODGSON and Elliott Whitehead will lead an overseas assault on Australia in today’s World Cup opener in Melbourne.

The Canberra Raiders duo are two of seven England stars plying their trade in the NRL.

Brothers Sam and Tom Burgess, in-form stand-off Gareth Widdop, seasoned prop James Graham and veteran back-rower Chris Heighington give Wayne Bennett’s side a wealth of elite-level experience.

And while they play down the advantage of featuring regularly in the sport’s premier league, their presence is in marked contrast to 2008’s ill-fated World Cup campaign Down Under.

Back then, only forward Adrian Morley, who had five years at Sydney Roosters, knew what it took to play against the world’s best every week.

But now England’s NRL contingent are keen to take the fight to holders Australia.

Hodgson said: “We know we’ve got a good squad and we know the Aussies are favourites.

“As individuals we all need to make sure we’re doing our bit for the team.

“If we do that, we’ve got great potential – but potential doesn’t mean a lot if you don’t put it out there on the weekend. It’s important that we start well and individually aim up.”

Hodgson is set for a key role, sharing hooking duties with St Helens star James Roby (below). And that combination could prove potentially decisive against Australian legend Cameron Smith.

Hodgson said: “We last played together in 2015 when we won the Tests against the Kiwis and I thought we worked pretty well together.

“It’s a different coach now and different little bits of systems, but in terms of individuals it’s a very familiar squad.

“We’re very fortunate in the English team to have quite a few good No.9s.

“It certainly keeps you on your toes and keeps you pushing to try and get into the squad. James is a quality player and it helps you try and be the best you can be every day when you turn up. It should be a good combination. “Cameron Smith is a fantastic player who’s been at the top of the game for many years now.

“This year and last he’s broken records and fair play to him, you’ve got to take your hat off to someone who’s been at the top and done what he’s done at club and international level.

“But we won’t be focusing too much on individual players or the Aussies, we’re just looking at ourselves.”

Whitehead will feature out wide in the back row – and has backed fellow Bradford product John Bateman to cope with his much-debated switch to centre.

Whitehead said: “I think John fills in well there – he’s played there before for England and done a great job.

“There’s not much difference between the positions really.

“You’ve probably just got to be a bit quicker on your feet at centre than some of us backrowers like myself. John will do a great job there and we’ve all got confidence in him.

“We’ve known each other for eight years – we’re good friends and we keep in contact a lot.

“My Bradford accent will come out more being around him – I’ll be going back to Canberra and no one will be able to understand me.”