Super League has declined – Noble

FORMER Great Britain and Bradford coach Brian Noble has described England's disappointing Four Nations campaign as a "wake-up call" for Super League.

Under Steve McNamara, Noble's former assistant and successor at Bradford, England were beaten comprehensively by New Zealand and Australia – who will contest Sunday's final in Brisbane – before labouring to a 36-10 win over minnows Papua New Guinea in their last group match at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.

Noble believes England have fallen further behind the big two since he was last in charge of the national side in 2006 and says a drop in standards in Super League is one of the reasons for the nation's demise.

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"I think it's a bit of a wake-up call for us," said Noble, who has been on the tour as a BBC summariser and will stay on in Australia for a working holiday after leaving his job with Crusaders.

"We came with what we had. The coaches I think tried to maximise their resources but I think we've been found off the pace at the highest level.

"It's always disappointing when you're not in the final of a competition but we don't seem to have improved over the last four or five years.

"Everybody's had a go so you have to think it's got to be resource rather than the bloke in charge of the joint.

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"I've had a go, it was David Waite before me and then Tony Smith and now Steve (McNamara) so there's some high-quality coaches there who know what they're doing. It's just a numbers game for me. Everybody is saying the same thing but I think it's time to smell the coffee and get on with it.

"I think we have a challenge with our competition. I don't think it's as good as we think it is.

"Come February, everybody will love it again because it's a fabulous thing to watch and a great product but I think the quality has gone down over the last three or four years."

Noble echoes the call from former national coaches Tony Smith and Phil Larder for England to play an overseas XIII in mid-season instead of France in a bid to replicate Australia's State of Origin Series which better prepares players for international football.

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"I think we need to look at how we can find a more intense international programme for us because I don't think playing France helps us," he said. "We have to make some decisions because we need international football and we need to be at the highest level of that. That's the only way we'll catch up."

England half-back Luke Robinson, who postponed his wedding after being handed the chance to make his international debut, could be walking down the aisle later this month with both arms in a sling.

The 26-year-old Huddersfield scrum-half suffered a dislocation and possible fracture in his left elbow during England's win over Papua New Guinea.

Robinson will undergo scans to determine the precise nature of the injury but is sure to need surgery before he marries fiancee Laura in a fortnight.

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His right arm will also be strapped up for his big day after he revealed that he was already due to have an operation on Saturday to cure a long-standing shoulder injury. That operation was put off to the end of the season and delayed further when Robinson was called up for the Four Nations tour.

"It might be complicated now because I might need to get my elbow fixed before I have my shoulder done," he said.

Forward James Graham is expecting to hand back the captaincy after enjoying the role during the Four Nations.

The 25-year-old St Helens prop stepped into the breach as England's third on-field leader in as many matches on the eve of the tournament and led the team in all three internationals against New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

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Graham got the nod from England coach McNamara following injuries to Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley.

"I have enjoyed it," said Graham. "Whether I get to keep the job is up to Steve McNamara. Obviously we've got two great leaders in Moz and JP and, if they're back, I presume I will make way."