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Rugby League World Cup: The Backs

As the 2013 Rugby League World Cup gets underway this weekend, Robert Culshaw delivers his verdict on the England team’s options at the back

Saturday 26 October 2013

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Former Australia and New South Wales captain Laurie Daley is quoted as saying that, in comparison to Union, Rugby League Football is a ‘simple game, played by simple people.’ However, the complexities of the game cannot be underestimated. Back play in Rugby League requires great skill and tactics to make plays off the hard graft of the forwards. My choice for the England starting was a difficult one; England can expect to come up against some of the most efficient, and athletic back lines in the sport.

The Halves 6. Stand Off / Five-Eighth: Kevin Sinfield, Leeds Rhinos. 7. Scrum Half / Half Back: Rob Burrow, Leeds Rhinos.

The halves, much like in rugger, position themselves centrally in attack, directing play – both act as the main decision makers in attack and form the middle section in what is known as the attacking ‘Spine’ of a rugby league team (Hooker, Stand Off, Scrum Half, Fullback.) The Stand Off, known as Five-Eighth in Australia, will usually be the team’s best attacking kicker and so Leeds’ Golden Boot winning Kevin Sinfield is my top choice. However reserved and uninteresting he is off the field, Sinfield is a vocal organiser on the field, with a fantastic kicking game for both attacking and place kicks – he will provide the organising key to England’s attack.

The Scrum Half, known as Half Back in Australia, acts as first receiver and usually directs play straight after receiving the ball from dummy-half. Key to scrum half play is to be small and quick – they don’t come any smaller than the 5 feet 5 inches, 11 stone, Rob Burrow. Known for his scampering runs around the defence, Burrow is not afraid to fight above his weight. Moreover, Burrow can also fit in at Hooker; his http://nouse.co.uk/2013/10/26/rugby-league-world-cup-the-backs Archived 11 Dec 2018 06:47:18 Nouse Web Archives Rugby League World Cup: The Backs Page 2 of 3 speed from dummy-half, if needed, will provide more than enough security on the playing field.

The Centres 3. Right Centre Threequarter: Leroy Cudjoe, Huddersfield Giants. 4. Left Centre Threequarter: Ben Crooks, Hull FC.

I admit that by far the hardest decision was to choose the Centres. Coming up against some of the world’s greatest threequarters, the like of Australia’s Greg Inglis (6 feet 5, 17 stone and the ability to run 100m in less than 12 seconds) the Centres need to be quick and tough. A good centre must be a good tackler, but also be ready to break defensive tackles to feed the winger. My two choices are both members of the 2013 Super League Dream Team.

Huddersfield’s Cudjoe has more than proven himself on the international stage for England and has played well for his club this season. Ben Crooks is only 20 years old, but has shone on the field for Hull FC this season, providing a fantastic partnership with winger Tom Lineham. Whether his form would continue amongst the world’s greatest, I couldn’t say, but I’m sure he’d step up to the challenge.

The Back Three 1. Full Back: Sam Tomkins, Wigan Warriors. 2. Right Wing: Josh Charnley, Wigan Warriors. 5. Left Wing: Ryan Hall, Leeds Rhinos.

The back three of my England side are without a doubt the best talent in English rugby league. The wingers, the speedy guys who score the tries, need to be fast as well as have the power to break through tackles. Wigan’s Josh Charnley, who this year became the first player to score 40 tries in a season in the Super League era, is fast and powerful. With a low centre of gravity Charnley’s powerful frame takes some stopping at pace. Ryan Hall is just as prolific with his scoring, raw strength and power as well as fantastic pace can always assure him a try.

The Fullback provides the last line of defence so must be a good tackler under pressure and be safe under a high ball. Fullbacks also sweep in defence and in attack and more often than not handle the ball in every set of six. Wigan’s Sam Tomkins is the stand out choice. The poster boy of British rugby league, Sam, about to complete a record £700,000 transfer to the New Zealand Warriors, has proven himself capable to be ranked amongst the world’s best. A prolific try scorer with darting runs that break the defensive line, Sam will provide a pivotal role for the England squad – we can just hope that the rest of the team aren’t reliant on his skill.

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One comment

Dan 26 Oct ’13 at 11:27 pm

You forgot the second, more important, half of Daley’s quote: “Rugby union is a complex game play by w*nkers.”

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