England produced a great first-half performance in this successful outing before the Rugby League World Cup at the end of the season.
Kevin Sinfield, who could be facing a lengthy lay-off after suffering a dislocated thumb stated that
“I think we’ve made some huge strides again,” said Sinfield, confirming that he expects to need surgery
Steve McNamara, added: “I’m really comfortable with where we are,” in reference to his World Cup preparations. “We spend a lot of time talking about how great the time we spend together in camp has been but it was good to get on the field. The second half was frustrating but that might be a great lesson for what was quite a young group on the field at that stage.”
They tried out some new combinations, and introduced a couple of relatively fresh faces, although it is the knowledge of the talent that was not available for this game – the handful of players who have been starring in the National Rugby League in Australia, plus a couple who are currently injured – that provides the greatest reason for optimism about the autumn.
State of Mind would like to wish England all the very best for the Rugby League World Cup