Peacock out to end years of misery

They face Australia as part of a Gillette Four Nations double-header at Wembley today hoping to take a major step towards reaching the final at Elland Road in a fortnight’s time.

England, who failed badly in last year’s tournament, have not won a major competition since the 1972 World Cup and continue to live in the shadow of both the Kangaroos and reigning champions New Zealand.

The intervening years have seen plenty of near misses and false dawns with Leeds Rhinos star Peacock inspiring a titanic Great Britain 2006 victory in Sydney and pushing the Australians close in the 2009 Four Nations final, but also being on the end of a humiliating record-breaking 64-10 defeat in 2002.

It has been five years since the national side has even defeated their old rivals in a solitary Test match, let alone win a competition.

But, as they prepare for their latest chance to end that barren stretch, prop Peacock told the Yorkshire Post: “There is a real belief there that we can go on and beat Australia and we’ve probably not had that before.

“We know it’s a big test but whenever you have challenges like this you need to have belief and that’s something we do possess.

“It’s been a long time since we last won. Too long. It was 2004 since we last beat them here and 2006 over there so it’s about time we got another win.

“We’re pretty positive about doing that.”

International rugby league returns to Wembley for the first time in 14 years this afternoon, Wales playing New Zealand in the opening half of the bold double-header.

England, and Great Britain, have enjoyed some memorable victories there over the years, including the 1990 First Test success against the Kangaroos.

Peacock, 33, admitted: “Ellery Hanley chipping over and regathering that day is something that sticks with me and also Jonathan Davies getting on the outside to score that famous try in 1994.

“You remember those moments and hopefully the players in our team can create some more like that on Saturday and give fans something else to remember.

“Any time you beat Australia it’s talked about as they are such a good side; it is the ultimate test in rugby league.

“But we’ve no worries about being underdogs. We’re confident of what we can achieve, whether winning on Saturday or going on and winning the tournament.”

Peacock, who made a try-scoring debut for England against Australia in 2000, admits leading the side out at Wembley will be one of his career highlights.

The former Man of Steel, who has won a record seven Grand Finals, at last achieved his long-held aim of playing there in a Challenge Cup final in August but concedes today’s affair will usurp that.

“It was great to play in the final but it’s going to be really amazing to play the Aussies at Wembley,” he said.

“I grew up watching that and I think it’s every boyhood dream to do that. It’s a huge honour and you think about those things later on in your career.

“But I just want to get out there and play well for the team, hopefully getting the result.”

England started with a 42-4 win over Wales a week ago while the Australians opened with a 24-12 triumph against New Zealand which was not entirely convincing.

Peacock said: “Both teams looked like they’d just flown across to the other side of the world.

“We expect them to be a lot better than that at Wembley. I know what it’s like when you travel that far and then have to play after five days – it’s a tough ask.

“With our own performances, since the friendly in France, we’ve built each half we’ve played.

“We had a lot more good things against Wales and not too much bad.

“We’ve had some little areas to work on – giving away a try last week was disappointing – but we’ve trained well and are now ready. But we know we’ve got a big step up in the quality of opposition this week and that’s no disrespect to Wales.”

The veteran forward has urged supporters to travel to Wembley and make a success of the initiative.

“It’d be great if we could get above 40,000 in there and maybe somewhere near 50,000,” he said.

“That’s what we used to get and I think it’s everyone’s duty involved in rugby league to get down there on Saturday and support the game.

“It’s about putting the game’s best foot forward and people need to get down there, not just because you’re an England fan.”

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