Australia aim to put the shackles on Burgess as England seek to spring a shock in World Cup final

New South Wales captain Boyd Cordner says Australia must put the shackles on Sam Burgess if they are to avoid a shock defeat by England in the Rugby League World Cup final. The derby rivalry that exists between Burgess’ South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cordner’s Sydney Roosters will be transferred onto the Suncorp Stadium pitch in Brisbane tomorrow when the Kangaroos put their world crown on the line.

Burgess, pictured, has endured an injury-riddled World Cup campaign so far after hobbling off during the first half of the opening game between England against Australia with a knee injury but he remains the biggest danger, according to Cordner.

“In my eyes, he’s one of the best players in the game,” said Cordner. “He’s someone I look up to. He’s such a great player and has been since he came out to the NRL. He’s a massive part of the England team and I’m sure if he plays well, all the other English boys will get on the back of that and feed off him. He’s going to be hard to handle. For us, it’s about taking away his time and limiting his opportunities.”

Australia are firm favourites to win an 11th title and Cordner says England’s battling performance in Melbourne, where they conceded eight points in the last five minutes to go down 18-4, will ensure there will be no complacency.

“We do have a really good opportunity but we’re coming up against a great England side,” he said.” All their players are playing at a high level and it should be a tough game.”

England are appearing in their first World Cup final since Wembley 1995, when they lost to this weekend’s opponents. And you have to go as far back as 1972 for the last time Great Britain won the trophy.

Australian bookmakers are giving England an 18-point start, such is the lack of confidence in the tourists’ ability to pull off an upset.