England’s rugby league players have handed themselves a huge opportunity and if they continue to believe in themselves they can take it.
National head coach Steve McNamara’s squad head to the grandly titled The Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday looking to seal a series win over reigning world champions New Zealand with a game to spare.
The 26-12 success over the Kiwis at Hull’s KC Stadium in the opening clash of the three-match series was far from a classic victory – but somehow the nature of the win made it all the more heartening.
After a slow start and an error-ridden first half, England not only found their form but also began to blossom with confidence and belief as they recovered to stand level 12-12 at half-time and then took control of the contest – and denied the New Zealanders any further scores.
And there could not be a more opportune moment for our rugby league boys to make a huge impact on the big stage in the capital.
Following the rapid demise of England’s challenge at rugby union’s World Cup there has been plenty of wailing and gnashing of teeth.
One columnist went so far as to pronounce the death of England having anything meaningful to offer international sport, citing the exit at the World Cup group stages of the most recent championships of the rugby union, football and cricket teams.
The RL team cannot be tarred with the same brush – obviously it would be a catastrophe if they ever failed to qualify from the 13-a-side World Cup group stages – but this is the perfect time to put a smile back on the face of the country’s sports followers.
There is no doubt that Stephen Kearney’s Kiwis will be hurting and also keen to put on a show in London to rival that of their World Cup winning compatriots the All Blacks.
So for England to go out and beat the men in black could be a huge and welcome shot in the arm for rugby league.
