What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

England should eye Aussie rugby: Peacock

Chook Norris

First Grade
Messages
8,319
Gutted England captain Jamie Peacock believes it could be time Super League teams adopted the southern hemisphere style of rugby league to compete internationally.
The shattered England skipper, uncertain if he's played his last game for his country, felt officials back home had to take a hard look at how the game is played in Australia and consider adopting that style.
"Super League is more exciting to watch but it doesn't mean international success," said Peacock when asked if England had to change its domestic game.
"Do you want international success and have a different style of football, or do you keep what we've got and keep it more free flowing?
"That's for the people at the top to decide with some input from the players.
"I see Australia had a big (NRL) meeting with a lot of its players involved and I think that is something that needs to be done with Super League."
Playing under Australian referees throughout the World Cup, England never adjusted to the wrestle in the ruck nor the use of dummy and decoy runners out wide.
Time and again players threw their hands in the air, screaming at referees for obstruction penalties because defenders felt impeded by opposition decoy runners.
"It's been tough adapting, it's a different style of play with the ruck and how the 10 metres is policed," said Peacock.
"What's actually thrown at you out wide is different from what we deal with in Super League.
"There's a lot less wrestling and a lot more emphasis on the speed of the play the ball, so the damage is done down the middle.
"But the damage was done out wide here."
What is not different though is catching and passing the ball and numbering up in defence which England did so poorly in Saturday night's semi final loss to New Zealand.
Super League form was left at home and the English were the disappointments of the World Cup after promising so much.
Losing twice to New Zealand, whom they embarrassed 3-0 in a home Test series a year ago, suggests they have a lot of work to do.
Their Australia-born coach, Tony Smith should have prepared them better knowing what they would be up against in the tournament.
The fact lightweights Papua New Guinea stunned them in the opening game was enough warning but they were flogged by Australia in a masterly display by the Kangaroos and comprehensively beaten by the Kiwis in back-to-back games.
England do have some class acts.
Five-eighth Danny McGuire has great hands, reads the game brilliantly, has speed and strength and his try just before half time, and another in the second half, underlined his quality.
Prop James Graham has ball skills that also make him dangerous along with centre Martin Gleeson.
Peacock, 31, was blunt in his assessment of the World Cup effort: "We under performed."


http://www.nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=53499

--------------
S
 
Messages
172
That would be a bad move in my opinion, if the ESL clubs started doing all this wrestling crap would that mean we would start beating Australia? NO. We would still lose and super league would be dull to watch. The big thing about super league is that for all it's faults it is exciting to watch, having a dull super league and getting beat at international doesn't sound too clever for the game in Britian.
Cutting the imports is the only way to go, give local kids a chance and stick by them. It may take time for them to come through and for them to be competative at international level, but it is a way forward.
 

Chook Norris

First Grade
Messages
8,319
the moment i saw England doing a bit of wrestling

i immediately had a feeling this might happen

i'd rather ESL stick to their style
 

Angry_eel

First Grade
Messages
8,651
Even if England played their own style properly i think they would have done alot better. England were lost.
 

watatank

Coach
Messages
14,225
England need to concentrate more on defence, IMO. From what I have seen of the ESL there is way too much emphasis on attacking and promoting the ball...it's almost like the NYC...which isn't such a bad thing from a spectator point of view but it's killing them at the higher levels. They should also have their own domestic State of Origin equivalent or all star game or something (they did it before, not sure if they do it now), the more games played at a higher level the better.
 

bartman

Immortal
Messages
41,022
I hope England don't change the style of play across their league.

They just have to be man enough to admit their coach failed them badly, and their players underperformed as a team.

Didn't realise Peacock had hit 31... he and Moz can bid farewell to the rep scene and stop hogging the jumper and let some young goers start to dip their toe in the water of rep footy and grow into better players as the years go by.
 

watatank

Coach
Messages
14,225
I hope England don't change the style of play across their league.

They just have to be man enough to admit their coach failed them badly, and their players underperformed as a team.

Didn't realise Peacock had hit 31... he and Moz can bid farewell to the rep scene and stop hogging the jumper and let some young goers start to dip their toe in the water of rep footy and grow into better players as the years go by.

If they are the best available then they should play. It's not like anyone's asking Civo or Price to stand down.
 

bartman

Immortal
Messages
41,022
Civo and Price are a mile better than Moz and Peacock in this tournament.

They will not get to the point where they challenge Australia in a few years unless they have a cleanout of the old dead wood, and allow some youngsters the chance to come through rep ranks together. James Graham won't be able gto do it all on his own...
 

watatank

Coach
Messages
14,225
I am not sure getting rid of Peacock is the answer, though. He's still a quality player and a fine leader. As for Morley he would be struggling to retain his position in the team.
 

Latest posts

Top