No worries for Sheens only means problems for rivals

IT IS music to the ears of all English rugby league fans; Australia coach Tim Sheens says there is going to be a “changing of the guard” in the Kangaroos’ squad.
Tim SheensTim Sheens
Tim Sheens

The only problem for supporters here is that the veteran coach is referring to what might happen at the 2017 World Cup, not the one that is about to get underway when his side face England on Saturday.

It means, therefore, that all the familiar faces – Cameron Smith, Jonathan Thurston, Billy Slater et al – will be around once more to no doubt cause constant consternation among the home ranks.

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England, desperately craving to become the first side from these shores to win a World Cup since 1972, will have to deal with their irritating presence for a little while longer.

Such has been the sustained brilliance of that trio, though, that some small comfort can be taken from the fact they are all now aged 30 plus.

If England do not usurp the Kangaroos – and New Zealand who are, let us not forget, champions – in the weeks ahead, there may be greater opportunities next time around.

“I would say the next World Cup in four years’ time will feature a different looking Australian side,” admitted Sheens, while adding with a chuckle that this could be extended to their coach too.

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“I brought it to the attention of the selectors and the League that there will be a so-called changing of the guard, somewhat, possibly after this one.

“But that’s in the future and we’re just thinking about this tournament and playing England in Cardiff on Saturday.

“Of course, Kev Sinfield shows you can hang in there and guys who are 34 may still play.

“Darren Lockyer was that sort of age. You don’t discount a champion.

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“Jonathan Thurston turned 30 this year and will be 34 in four years’ time but he’s pretty competitive.

“Overall, though, they may have to make some changes when it comes to that next World Cup.”

Any suggestions Australia are desperate to win the tournament to right the wrongs of 2008, when the stunned Kangaroos were denied a seventh successive world title by their old foes New Zealand in Brisbane, are swiftly doused.

“It’s not about winning it back,” said Sheens, the 62-year-old who succeeded Ricky Stuart in the wake of that shock defeat.

“We’re just concentrating on each game.

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“Winning this week’s game doesn’t guarantee you the tournament – and losing it doesn’t mean you won’t play in the final.”

It is unsurprising, then, that he reads little into England’s humiliating 15-14 friendly loss to Italy on Saturday.

Sheens was at Salford to witness that, although he left early when Steve McNamara’s side were still in front.

“It just makes us more wary,” he said, when asked if it alters his thinking ahead of taking on England in Cardiff.

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“I’ve made the point that an embarrassed side is a dangerous side.

“But we play pre-season trials at home and the next week a competition game and you just can’t measure the difference in intensity.

“It will be different again in a Test match.

“That (Italy loss) really means nothing to us other than it puts us on notice that England will be a little crankier and certainly a little more on edge.”

Neither do the travails of his fellow countrymen, with Australia losing the Ashes and a British Lions series this summer too – “you guys are having a great year, aren’t you?” – add any extra pressure on his side.

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“The rugby league public expect big things from us as we do from ourselves,” he added.

“But generally that sort of pressure comes from media and fans – not from within the team.

“They are all experienced enough to know how these competitions go and it’s a matter of how you handle pressure. All top sportsmen understand that.”

Speaking at yesterday’s official tournament launch, Sheens admitted the unexpected inclusion of global superstar Sonny Bill Williams in the New Zealand squad was a real boost for the competition.

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“It’ll probably put a lot more bums on seats in France, in particular, as they know him through union,” he said.

“He obviously lifts the profile and he is as good as anyone in his position (second-row) in the world.

“Sam Burgess is the same and we’ve a couple in that area too.

“It raises New Zealand’s chances tremendously and just the confidence of the Kiwi boys will go up.

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“It’ll be interesting to see how he fits into the New Zealand side as he hasn’t played for them for a while, but I’ll not worry about them.

“They’re on the other side of the draw.”

Worryingly for the rest, Sheens does not seem to be worried about anything.