England’s new camaraderie delights Sinfield

The Leeds Rhinos captain will be a crucial figure as they take on Australia in Saturday’s Elland Road final, looking to win a first major tournament since Great Britain’s 1972 World Cup triumph.

A veteran of 28 Tests, he delivered a man-of-the-match performance against New Zealand to guide England to another showdown with the revered Kangaroos in Leeds.

While still massive underdogs to succeed, there has been enough growing promise in their performances to suggest the long suffering could be ended.

One of the lowest points, if not the nadir, during that interminable wait was the calamitous 2008 World Cup campaign Down Under when part of the lacklustre showing was rumoured to be due to a distinct rift between the large contingent of touring Leeds and St Helens players.

Sinfield, 31, came close to admitting as much yesterday when discussing the greater unity and spirit among the present squad – including many of the same players as three years ago – garnered while in camp at Loughborough University, their base for the last five weeks and, along with regular training days throughout the year, a prerequisite of Steve McNamara’s when he took over the head coach’s role last year.

“I feel this group is very much like a club now,” he said. “Everyone gets on and you only have to come look at one of our dinner tables when we eat – the mix is brilliant.

“It hasn’t always been like that but this group is probably the most together international group I’ve been part of.

“That makes it really enjoyable. The days together during the year means the lads have instantly got on when we met up here on October 12.

“In past series it’s probably taken a couple of weeks to break down those barriers. I’m just glad that this series has brought some of those issues (up), we’ve improved and finally made some gains.

“Togetherness has certainly been a part of that. Now we’re looking to finish off the job.”

On the subject of finishing, there is arguably no one currently better in world rugby at that skill than Sinfield’s Leeds colleague Ryan Hall.

The prolific winger, who has always possessed pace and power, has also shown in this tournament so far a delicate side in the manner he has, with brilliant handling, been able to score nimbly three tries in the tightest of situations.

Hall’s one-handed finish against New Zealand followed up a stunning brace against Australia, such eye-catching form seeing the 23-year-old Yorkshireman thrust into the reckoning for the prestigious Golden Boot as the world’s greatest player alongside such luminaries as Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith.

“Not many wingers get nominated so for him to be in there is great recognition,” said Sinfield, of a player plucked from Leeds-based amateurs Oulton Raiders comparatively late aged 17.

“I know he’s pretty pleased about it but I’m sure he’d swap that for a win come Saturday.

“I think all our back three – Tom (Briscoe), Ryan and Sam (Tomkins) – have been outstanding.

“For a big man, moving so quick, to be able to get inside that corner post is a special skill to have and he’s been outstanding for us.”

McNamara, meanwhile, has urged a re-think on future international referee appointments after Australian Peter Cecchin was put in charge of Saturday’s final.

“I’m sure it will keep (Australia coach) Tim (Sheens) happy,” he smiled. “And he is a very good referee. I just think other sports would find it very, very strange to have a referee from their own country referring their game especially when there’s a neutral available.”

Second-row Gareth Ellis – who missed the Kiwi match with a back injury – has trained fully and is almost certain to return this weekend meaning McNamara is in an “unprecedented” position of having a full 24-man squad to choose from with three players due to be omitted when he names his initial pick today.

Castleford Tigers are thinking about giving Karl Pryce, the former Bradford Bulls winger out of contract at Wigan, a career lifeline.