If england get there i get to see them in a world cup final.if NZ play then it should be a great game so its win win.

Just an aside,but there is still a fair chance it could be England v NZ final.we may catch the Aussies cold in wales and stun them as we have done in game one down the years only to be brought back to earth with a thud.if we do then NZ could easily take them out in the semis.To me,this presents our only realistic scenario,although a long shot,at winning the thing.

I like you way of thinking and i agree that would give us our best shot at winning. If it was Eng v Aus in the final I still think with a full house and the emotions running high we could sneak it. I know small possibility but who knows. Upsets happen in finals

This is the perfect scenario for me, for some reason the Kiwi's have cast aside their inferiority complex regarding the Australian's whereas we haven't yet. It is very possible that the Kiwi's could beat the Aussies in a semi and we beat them in the final

Very frustrating that people are talking as if all the Kangaroos have to do is turn up to win it when they couldn't even win it on home soil last time

England need to beat Australia when it really matters in order to establish some international credibility.

Hoping for a turn of events in a semi final which is outside of England's control in order to establish an easier path to winning the World Cup is loser talk.

We are discussing England beating Australia to top group A and essentially set up an Australia vs. New Zealand semi bar a major upset. Which actually means we would have beaten Australia and the events were inside England's control

You really should think things through before you post

Still means England failing to beat Australia when it really matters whilst hoping another team outside of their control does it for them instead.

I'm pretty sure that England beating Australia to top the group and then the World Cup holders in the final of this years tournament would be just about enough for international credibility

As for loser talk, well if I didn't have many many more important things to do I could dig up a few dozen posts showcasing your fawning of all things Australian but we can all remember those

But it would mean England had beaten them when it matters very much.i was mearly pointing out that first game is huge.The kiwis are bringing a very good squad,are world champs and very capable of winning the comp again.if the aussies were to lose to us then NZ they wouldnt deserve to be in the final simple as.not England's fault if OZ fail! A lot rides on that first game,i dont think either side will fancy playing NZ in a semi after they have built momentum.

Last time that happened was during the pre-SL era (1995) when the national side along with international RL had way more credibility and a much higher media profile.

The game in this country has gone backwards since then at an alarming rate.

Whilst i agree that the media profile was higher in 95,there was 41k for that first game at wembley and 66k for the final.both those figures could well be beaten this time around.

I'm not doubting the logic you've applied in terms of the most likely road to England winning the RLWC. They aren't going to beat Australia twice... not even the most ardent "Our forwards are miles better than Aussie forwards" brigade can envisage England beating Australia twice in the same tournament. I'm merely pointing out that not beating Australia when it really counts is a hurdle we haven't managed to overcome since 1970 and beating them at Cardiff in a few weeks time definitely does not fall into the category of a must-win game which really counts.

What has this got to do with the scenario we are discussing. Looks like you are just reverting to type

SBW last played for the kiwis in 2007 (I think)
Since then they have won the WC and four nations. They are a different animal now.



NZ v.s OZ competitive? Australia are well known for flopping against the kiwis in finals. 2006 last time Australia beat NZ when it really counts

In all seriousness I can't believe you wouldn't go if England got there. Even if Australia have 17 better players than us (which they certainly don't now), we COULD still win. That's why makes RL one of the best sports.

Take the GF, hardly anyone thought Wigan would win. If you want it enough and believe you can win, anything can happen.

It is worth remembering that there are a number of people on these boards who don't actually want England to win as it will upset their personal agenda

I'd pay to watch the World Cup Final even if Vanatu were playing Niue... wouldn't miss it for anything!