Huddersfield Giants coach Paul Anderson is confident all of his World Cup players will have benefited from playing in such a successful tournament.
Nine Huddersfield players have taken part in the competition, with Leroy Cudjoe and Brett Ferres still involved with England in Saturday’s semi-final showdown with holders New Zealand at Wembley.
Super League Man of Steel Danny Brough has also seen service with Scotland, Craig Kopczak and Larne Patrick have played for Wales, Scott Grix and Anthony Mullally for Ireland, Jason Chan Papua New Guinea and Ukuma Ta’ai Tonga.
And with every country having been involved in some quality encounters, Anderson is sure his players will have gained some valuable experience for when they return for Super League pre-season work.
“This has been a really enjoyable competition,” he said.
“There’s been a bit of biff, a bit of bash and some good rugby league thrown in for good measure.
“As a result, it’s helped to create a successful World Cup overall, and it’s good to have seen so many of our boys making positive contributions.
“Having spoken to them all about their World Cup experiences, I know how much they’ve enjoyed it and how much they’re looking forward to taking that experience forward with them with the Giants next season.
“Only time will tell who’ll have benefited the most, but it’s certainly been positive for everyone.
“There was a time, for instance, when playing for Scotland, Ireland or Wales was nothing more than a social thing.
“Now, all three of those nations have been able to take games very seriously, and Broughy, Koppy, Larne, Grixy and Mull will have taken a lot from playing in the World Cup.
“They’ve also not copped any bad injuries along the way, which means they’ll be able to come back to us for pre-season in decent nick, which is obviously a bonus.
“Hopefully, that’ll be the case with our England boys as well.”
Cudjoe and Ferres are both expected to feature against the Kiwis this weekend after successful World Cup campaigns.
In-form centre Cudjoe has, of course, been celebrating at the double with the arrival last Thursday of his baby daughter, Peiyton.
Anderson was delighted for his player about the news he’d become a father for the first time, and would love to see him back that up by helping England reach the World Cup final at Old Trafford the following Saturday.
“First of all, on behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to congratulate Leroy and Jenna on the birth of their daughter,” added Anderson.
“I just wonder if Leroy knows all the hard work starts now!
“But I thought the commitment Leroy showed at being at the birth of of his daughter last Thursday and playing as well as he did for England in the quarter-final against France two days later was fantastic.
“Although I don’t think any of us at the Giants was too surprised about that, because he’s always been such a top professional in everything he does.
“He’s been great all tournament, and I know he’ll relish the challenge of facing New Zealand at Wembley this weekend.
“I can sense he’s been a bit frustrated at times with the way things have been going for England during the games, but he’s playing for his country and they’ve been winning. So I don’t think he’s complaining too much.
“And I don’t think Brett’s complaining too much either, even though he was obviously disappointed to have started on the bench against the French.
“But his contribution in all three games has been outstanding, and that’s because he’s such a good player.
“Brett’s taken the form he showed throughout the season with the Giants straight into the England games.
“Like Leroy, I know Brett is ready to rise to the challenge against the Kiwis this weekend.
“There’s no way they’ll let their country down.”
