Morley: Sam can still have big say
ENGLAND legend Adrian Morley admits the loss of Sam Burgess is a major blow – but feels he can storm back in the later stages of the World Cup.
Talisman Burgess was helped off with a knee injury (above) in the opening match defeat by Australia, but England hope it will only sideline him for two weeks.
And Morley – who featured in the unsuccessful 2000 and 2008 World Cup campaigns – says he is key to their tournament prospects. “It will be a huge blow – they have not got many world-class superstar players and Sam is definitely one,” said Morley.
“But I am not too down -hearted. The coach Wayne Bennett said you do not need to be at your best in the first game, it is the last game that matters. If they can keep improving we will see where that takes us.
“In the second half England had chances to win – it was much improved. If you keep hold of the ball and give yourself a chance it gives you energy. You could see that in their body language, England looked like a different side. It was the Aussies who were gassed at times so we need to do that from the off.”
And Ben Currie says he’s more confident England can conquer the world despite the defeat to Australia.
The Warrington star was a late call up for his Test debut when prop Alex Walmsley pulled out on the day of the game with a virus.
But despite having played just five times this year due to his own longterm knee injury, Currie more than held his own on his international bow.
He said: “One hundred per cent I’m more confident we can beat them despite a defeat.
“I don’t think they won it, it was more a case of us losing it in a way – we made some silly errors.
“They took advantage – that’s all they do.
“They stick in the game, they don’t make errors, they just keep grinding away.
“That’s why the Aussies are the No.1 team at the moment – they just keep going and don’t get bored of what they’re doing. We just need to match them for that – and I think we can – and we’ll come out on top.” ELLIOT DALY was one of a hat-trick of England injuries as Eddie Jones’ jinx struck again ahead of the autumn internationals.
Wasps centre Daly was taken off at half-time with a knee injury after originally going down in the 32nd minute, with team-mate and prop Matt Mullan going off with a bicep injury.
And to make it a triple whammy of bad news for Jones Northampton fly-half Piers Francis limped off with an ankle problem eight minutes from time.
All three are due to fly to Portugal with England today for a training camp ahead of the three autumn Tests – but those plans are up in the air.
Wasps boss Dai Young said: “Hopefully Elliot’s will settle down but it is a concern when anyone goes off with a knee injury. It could be a ligament strain or a contact injury but we are not going to know for 48 hours.
“Our medics will speak to the England guys and decide what to do. It is their call.
“Matt’s looks quite painful. It would be a real shame if either of them miss the autumn internationals because Matt has worked really hard to get back in there and Elliot has worked hard to establish himself as a regular.”
Wasps led 16-11 at the break but could easily have been 23-6 up if ref Luke Pearce had not blundered. He allowed a Saints try from full-back Ahsee Tuala to stand
Fwhen Jamie Gibson should have been penalised for blocking.
And then he chalked-off a score for Dan Robson – without referring it upstairs – for a foot in touch when the scrum-half was blatantly in-field.
Wasps had lost four on the spin in the league and probably thought their luck was out but they killed the game off in the second half.
Young added: “I started to fear the worst then. I don’t know why he didn’t go to the TMO – he went to him for everything else. It was a try.”
Christian Wade had scored a breakaway try on 32 minutes after Ashley Johnson’s fluke of a kick upfield, then Northampton had Ben Foden binned just before the break for a deliberate knock.
Wasps made hay with the extra man through a Johnson score when he was put away by the outstanding Joe Launchbury and Josh Bassett’s lethal finish nailed the game.
And South African centre Juan de Jongh wrapped up the bonus point when hooker Johnson put him away, to cap a stand-out display, and leave Saints reeling after four consecutive defeats.
Saints boss Jim Mallinder said: “We have had some tough games but today was just not good enough.
“We came up against a Wasps side that played very well but we need to be better.”
Tries: Tuala, Mallinder; Pens: Francis (4) Tries: Wade, Johnson, Bassett, De Jongh; Cons: Wade, Gopperth (2); Pens: Gopperth (4)