England to face the reigning champions Australia in the World Cup final on Saturday. Since 1995 encounter which ending in a 16-8 defeat against Australia at Wembley, England has not yet reached in the World Cup final for 22 years. The last time the England team won the tournament was in 1972. That was the Great Britain team secured their third world title.
England will miss their captain Sean O’Loughlin due to the injury which occurred in their semi-final victory over Tonga. Along with Sean O’Loughlin England also misses Josh Hodgson. Now James Roby is the only hooker in the 17-man squad. Ben Currie will be starting in the second row and Jonny Lomax, the full-back also coming on to the bench.
England’s head coach Wayne Bennett said “I wanted England to be hopefully more competitive.” The 67-year-old Bennett is one of the most successful coach in Australian rugby league history. His team under him as won with seven Grand Final wins.His contract with England ends after this tournament, He became England’s first ever Australian boss. He was appointed in February 2016.
Mal Meninga, who beat Bennett to the Kangaroos job two years ago, is the Australian coach. He accused with Bennette to play of mind games before the final.
