Go for the Aussies’ throats
ENGLAND WARNED
SEAN LONG has warned England that they need to go for Australia’s throats from the word go.
Wayne Bennett’s men kick off the World Cup against the Kangaroos in Melbourne next week.
But coach Bennett claims he isn’t worried by the result and has even hinted that they might lose.
He insists it is better that his team are at their best for the final on December 2, rather than next Friday.
But it’s a clash that former Great Britain star Long says will reveal whether England have the killer instincts they need.
He said: “Australia are absolutely ruthless and you cannot switch off for one second against them.
“There is no hiding place against them and England have got to keep turning up for each other.”
Long was part of the Lions team that beat Australia in Sydney in 2006. The game was marred by fighting, but Long believes the Lions had the mental strength to cope better.
He said: “We went about our business and just concentrated on playing rugby and that got into their heads and they got frustrated.”
Long says he’d love to see England shine at the World Cup, although his allegiances will be torn if Bennett’s boys meet Samoa at some stage.
The St Helens assistant coach is No.2 to Samoa boss Matt Parish and added: “We’re in a very difficult pool with Tonga, New Zealand and Scotland but we have got a great group of players.”