Ferres hopes wheel will turn back in his favour to afford him his Wembley bow

Brett Ferres says it is wrong to write off England’s chances of success against New Zealand as rugby league’s World Cup holders have still yet to face a genuine challenge.
Brett FerresBrett Ferres
Brett Ferres

The sides meet in Saturday’s semi-final double-header at Wembley with England rated underdogs to reach the tournament’s Old Trafford conclusion on November 30.

The convincing Kiwis have rattled off 186 points and scored 34 tries in just four games so far to underline their pedigree.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, emphatic group wins over second-tier nations Samoa, France and Papua New Guinea were followed by a 40-4 quarter-final victory against Scotland, yet another lowly-ranked outfit.

New Zealand are a very impressive side,” admitted Huddersfield Giants and England second-row Ferres.

“They are a very good team. But I do not think they have been tested yet.”

Whether Steve McNamara’s England are the side to give them that examination remains to be seen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They were scratchy again in beating France 34-6 on Saturday having only shown periods of class in their group games – a hard-fought loss versus Australia before wins over Ireland and Fiji.

Ferres admitted: “We are disappointed that we haven’t really put in an 80-minute performance yet.

“I am not sure why, you would have to ask Steve that.

“We are trying out there, but we are not helping ourselves.

“We had a lot of errors and ill discipline with the ball against France and defended a bit slack.

“We are probably not doing ourselves any favours. It was disappointing again and performance-wise was not what we wanted it to be.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“No disrespect to France, but they were not the best opposition and we probably slipped our standards and played with them.

“We know we’ve got a big week of training ahead to get ready for New Zealand.”

The 27-year-old hopes to be back in the starting line-up to face the Kiwis after being surprisingly dropped to the bench at the weekend.

“I was probably disappointed I did not start,” said Ferres, who came on to score for the third game running.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But I’m doing what is best for the team and hopefully I made an impact from the bench.

“Things were going all right, but there is still room for improving and I’m just trying to stay in the side.”

The Yorkshireman only made his England debut in the opener against Australia after initially not even making their 24-man squad.

But he started all the group games and now the former Bradford Bulls forward hopes to help England reach a first World Cup final since 1995 – and make his first appearance at Wembley.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’ve got to work hard through this week and see what Steve comes up with selection wise, but hopefully I will be in the mix again,” added Huddersfield’s vice-captain.

“I have never been to Wembley and everything is a first with England.

“I said I would never go as a fan because I want to play there and hopefully I will get the opportunity this week.

“I have been lucky enough to get a few decent games – we reached the Challenge Cup semis with Castleford a couple of years ago – but I’ve never got the chance of a final and, in the bigger picture, that is where you want to be.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’ve no complaints and am delighted with the progress I’ve made as a player and where I’m at. I thank Steve for giving me the opportunity and hopefully I have repaid him with my performances.

“Hopefully I will cement my place in the side.”

McNamara opted for Sam Burgess on the left edge on Saturday, perhaps feeling the hulking South Sydney forward would offer more physicality in readiness for the ferocious challenge of facing the revered Sonny Bill Williams this weekend.

But Ferres is ready to step up too against arguably the sport’s greatest player.

“I want to play against the best in the world,” he said.

“It is a challenge every week to get in this side and to play against quality players like that is something I desire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I thoroughly respect what Sonny Bill has done in his career, he is a fantastic player, but there will be no love lost between us next week.

“I will be trying to get on top of him; I want to be the best.”