England's last World Cup hope: Rob Hawkins on the challenge of retaining wheelchair crown
It should perhaps come as no surprise that England's wheelchair stars have been left flying the flag at the World Cup.
As reigning champions, Tom Coyd's team carried the country's strongest hopes of success long before the men's and women's sides bowed out.
The disappointment of those group-stage exits still lingers but England have a team in Australia with a proud record, genuine pedigree and every reason to believe they can go all the way again.
For Rob Hawkins, the circumstances have done little to alter the task facing the holders.
"Just because we’re the last England team in the World Cup, it doesn’t change what we’re here to do," said the Halifax Panthers ace. "Our job is to win and that's the expectation that we put on ourselves.
"It's a shame that the men's and women's teams got knocked out early but we know that they'll be at home supporting us every step of the way."
England Wheelchair captured the imagination of the rugby league public four years ago, lifting the trophy in Manchester after showcasing the skill, athleticism and courage that make the sport so compelling.
The challenge now is to repeat that success 10,500 miles away in Wollongong, an opportunity Hawkins is relishing as he lives out his dream.
"Anytime I get selected to wear this amazing badge on my chest is a very fulfilling moment," he said. "But being able to come out to an amazing country like Australia and play in a World Cup, there's nothing better.
"One of the biggest differences this time is that we're not the favourites here. We were the favourites for the last World Cup in England and had a lot of support behind us.
"The other thing is that we're based in one place throughout the whole tournament, whereas last time we started down in London and then moved up to Sheffield and Manchester for the semi-final and final. To say we're in Australia, I'm quite thankful we're in one location.
"We're enjoying every minute and making sure we stay present."
That means not looking beyond Friday's final group match against Ireland and towards a mouthwatering semi-final showdown with either France or Australia, who meet later the same evening.
The losers of that game will meet England in the last four, provided the reigning champions beat the Irish and secure top spot in Group A.
England racked up 232 points in their opening two matches – including a 134-0 victory over the United States – but they have yet to satisfy their lofty standards.
"We're content with our performances," said Hawkins, who is set to return against Ireland after earning a rest last time out with 11 tries in the opener.
"The performance against the USA was a lot better than the one against Wales. Was it perfect? No, there are still things to work on.
"However, we understand that there are five games to play so if we keep improving each game, if and when we come up to the final, we should be ready to go.
"Right now, we need to focus on Ireland and not the semi-final. If we're too busy looking at the knockout games, we're not respecting our opposition.
"We'll focus on Australia or France when the time comes. At the minute, it's full focus on Ireland."
England and France have a habit of producing fiercely contested encounters, none more so than their dramatic 2022 World Cup final.
Both sides saw off Australia on the road to Manchester but the Wheelaroos are an altogether different proposition on home ground four years on.
After giving England a scare during last year's Ashes, the hosts began the World Cup with emphatic wins over New Zealand and Scotland.
The balance of power is threatening to shift – and England are up for the fight.
"Australia are looking great at the minute," acknowledged Hawkins.
"They've got a good set of players and a lot of them are leaders. They've had some good performances. It's good to see how much improvement they've made.
"It's going to be a good tournament. We've got France and Australia knocking on the door wanting that trophy – but England aren't going to go down easily.
"Our mentality is that we're here to win a World Cup, not defend it. We know the challenge we're facing but we embraced it the second we stepped on that plane."
Fresh from back-to-back trebles with Halifax and claiming the Wheels of Steel award for the second time, Hawkins is a serial winner.
And if England go all the way, there is every chance he will be in contention for a third successive Golden Boot.
But individual accolades are very much secondary to the collective goal.
"It's a thought that's there but that's not the job at hand," said Hawkins.
"If we do win the World Cup, I'm going to be happy that I've won it with the team. Whatever comes afterwards, comes afterwards.
"My job is to do exactly what I've done throughout the season, which is to help bring my team success."