Kicking game will be crucial against Kangaroos

The England chief opted against naming the scrum-half in his 24-man squad after his stellar early season form dipped towards the end of the campaign.

However, after seeing England open their account with a 42-4 win over Wales, Noble reckons Brough’s kicking prowess is a tool which could have proved vital when they face favourites Australia next in London on Saturday.

“All the big games involving the top three – England, Australia and New Zealand – I think will come down to the kicking game,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“England’s structure looks fine but I’m still a bit concerned about who’s going to kick from the end when under pressure.

“The Aussies’ kick-chase was outstanding against New Zealand on Friday – how many times did the Kiwis have to field the ball in their own 10 metres?

“England didn’t restrict Wales in the same way and that’s the difference. I’m surprised he (Brough) wasn’t at least in the squad.

“Having been asked to swap allegiances from Scotland, I personally feel that in the tight games against Australia and New Zealand you have got to kick the ball well and he would help that. However, it is Wales, in Lee Briers, who ironically, have the best kicker in the tournament.”

Noble twice led Great Britain to victories over Australia during his three years in charge – 24-12 at Wigan in 2004 before a memorable 23-12 success in Sydney two years later.

He feels the current England squad still have enough talent to cause another upset at Wembley and expects them to reach this year’s final at the Kiwis’ expense.

There have been concerns England will be under-cooked after only a friendly against France and that comfortable win over Wales.

However, former Bradford Bulls chief Noble said: “Nothing can get you ready for an Australia Test.

“There’s enough experience in there. There’s been all this talk about the NRL players picked (Jack Reed, Gareth Widdop and Chris Heighington) but people forget there’s seven others over the age of 30.

“They all know what to expect – that a Test against Australia tests every facet of a player’s game.

“England will be far fresher having played Wales but they need to be a bit more clinical.”

Noble has suffered some chastening experiences at the hands of the Australians as well as those triumphs, not least a 44-4 Tri-Nations final defeat at Elland Road in 2004.

“England have a fabulous chance but they have to play for 80 minutes,” continued Noble.

“If you don’t, they’ll get you in the 79th minute and 30th second if they have to. Australia just keep playing until they get back into the game so you have to be that extra bit resilient. Their line speed was phenomenal against New Zealand on Friday as well. It was awesome to watch and England are going to be under pressure as they are such great athletes.

“But if England can get that line speed, too, and put them under pressure the Aussies are fallible.”

He believes the hosts’ force remains in their forwards with so many of those who served under his own command – stalwarts such as Jamie Peacock, James Graham and Adrian Morley.

“In the second half against Wales they sorted some of the problems ready for this week and were far more direct,” said Noble. “I think those are the attributes where we’re strongest – in and around the ruck with James Roby, Peacock, Graham and, if he gets a shot, Ryan Bailey getting a lot of go-forward.”

Kevin Sinfield, the principal kicker, and the creative Chase are the current England half-backs working off the back of that, a partnership which Noble believes remains a work in progress.

“I still think they’re finding their feet,” he said.

“Chase is obviously a player who likes to play off the cuff and at Castleford everyone gets the ball to him to do something. In the international concept, he has to share and there’s still a bit of a pecking order.

“I’m really pleased, though, the emphasis in the England camp is to pick the best team rather than a development side which is what happened last year.

“It should be the reflection of our game at the end of every season.”

He expects injury-hit holders New Zealand to come back stronger after their loss against Australia.

“They scored tries from kicks which is a reflection that they have a bit of strike missing on the fringes,” added Noble.

“Kevin Locke is going to be a great player and Jason Nightingale is an excellent winger but I’m a bit suspect about the other wing and centres.

“They have the option of bringing a few back against Wales, though, including one of their inspirational leaders Adam Blair, who is real world-class.

“Wales were whole-hearted against England but it’s all about firepower, which they lacked.

“They’ve earned the right to be at this tournament but what the Wales development people should now be doing is looking at what needs to be done to stay at the table.”