England v Australia Rugby League World Cup

Everybody is saying go, go, go! And he goes.

The waiting is over. The time has arrived. Rugby league World Cup is

about to kick off. We will bring you all the action starting here today

in Cardiff and ending with the final on November 30 at Old Trafford. 14

teams, head-to-head to win the greatest prize and create a piece of

sporting history. The winners for the ninth time,

Australia! A shocking mistake from Slater. New

Zealand, the champions of the world! We hit the ground running with a

battle between old enemies, Australia and England. England will

have the support in this latest chapter of a classic sporting

rivalry. I wonder who will be victorious

today? Welcome to the millennium Stadium, the crowd is gathering, the

Opening Ceremony is taking place. The atmosphere is building.

Hopefully the fans and you at home will be treated to a fantastic day,

five weeks of the best the great sport has to offer. What a way to

kick it off. To further price of one Australia against England at 2:30pm

on BBC One. And following that, Italy play Wales, BBC Two from

4:30pm. It kicks off at 4:35pm. I wonder if Italy will be favourites?

Australia arrived and they will be confident of starting their campaign

in style. They have not won the World Cup since 2000. Arrived, there

has only been one to win but they are favourites and expectation is

very much on their shoulders. Because of the Opening Ceremony, the

teams cannot warm up on the pitch so England and the Aussies are a few

metres away on the old Arms Park pitch. They will run from their back

into the changing rooms and out onto the millennium Stadium turf in a

little under half an hour. The England team are warming up as we

speak. Well, I am delighted to say in the studio with me this afternoon

for a lot of the tournament we have Salford and former Great Britain

coach Brian Noble and Jon Wilkin and Earl Crabtree. There were fireworks

on cue. I organised those! Stick with me, you will be fine. We will

hear from them earlier dashed later but this has been a rather tricky

week for the England camp, we have been looking back at the last seven

days. What a week for England. Last

Saturday they lost the warm up game to Italy. That was only the start of

their problems. A group of players disobeyed team orders on a night

out. I agree it was wrong. I should not have had a drink. But there were

six or seven of us, we did the same thing. I do not agree the way he has

gone about it. When Steve McNamara announced his squad... There was

speculation they were disciplined for their part in the night out. The

news conference, Steve McNamara refuse to answer questions about

Graham and Hoch. Can you tell us why he's not included? There are seven

very good players, international standard players. So, I am not

talking about any individuals among those seven. Is his omission... ? I

just said I will not speak about any individual. The supporters will be

confused... Can you enlighten them? I will not answer any more questions

on it, we can wrap up now. If you want to talk about the game, I am

fine to do so. Look, if you want to carry on without questioning we will

stop now. If you want to carry on asking questions, please continue.

That's the last chance now. If the subject of Gareth Hock off-limits?

Yes, of course it is. I've got to go. The bus is coming. After three

years preparation, what damage has been done? Have there been any

damage done? To be honest, it hasn't been a great week. There is tetchy

nurse, a bit of worry in the camp from that side. This is the time to

put it behind them and if they unite together, what an opportunity today

against the Aussies at the millennium stage. Get it out of the

way and crack on. We will talk about this game very shortly. From a

players point of view, again, what will concern the more, the

disciplinary issues which have been at the centre of the stories or the

performance against Italy? They go hand-in-hand. Ideally, a good start

against Italy, no disciplinary breaches and we would be talking

about what a fantastic opening ceremony we've watched and building

up to the big game. Unfortunately, things haven't gone quite to plan.

The tournament starts here. The only way England can put right the wrong

is of the last seven days is on the field. Let the rugby do the talking.

Gareth Hock is out. Ferres comes in. Gareth will be disappointed. On the

flip side, but Ferres will be excited. More chat about Brett

Ferres later. Can you understand Steve McNamara's frustration as he

was repeatedly asked similar questions or could he have handled

it differently? It is the media. There was an opportunity early in

the week to kill its stone dead. These are the circumstances, these

are the measures we have taken end of story. And then the focus would

have been on the players but it has dragged on like a soap opera because

they did not kill it early in the week. However, you can galvanise a

team and a squad and Steve has fronted up, taking the pressure for

what has and hasn't gone on. Had the scenes, you can believe there is

talent in the team that wants to do the talking on the field will stop I

suppose my concern is there with DNA missing from the team. Morley,

Peacock, Alice, O'Loughlin, Gareth Hock, the kind of people not

intimidated by the Australian side. That has been my concern, looking at

it from a football point of view. I think there's enough talent in the

team my concern is the experience. Steve McNamara fronted up in the

press conference, let's get his thoughts from today. It has been a

tough week but you are here now. Very determined. Very much ready and

looking forward. You have made strong decisions, did you need to do

that to show your leadership? When you are international coach, you

have tough decisions every week, 24 players, international standards,

some will not play. They do not get left out by club teams, it is alien

to them. They just get left out. There are tough decisions to make.

Do you feel let down by some senior players? Not at all. We are a strong

and determined group. We are ready. What are the key battles today?

There are plenty. We have to be good, and that is what we are aiming

for. The preparation has been to give us the best opportunity. Three

years, building up to the game, what are your final words to them? Most

of the words have been said. The players are ready. They are focused.

We have had really good practice sessions, good meetings. Not much

more needs to be set. Good luck. Thank you. A man who was desperate

for the game to get started. And then he can stop talking. Being in

that camp with Steve, is the first time I have seen him rattled like

this. It is a big test for him as a coach. Going into the first game,

preparing the players, whether they are too on edge or come in with edge

but relaxed on the back of it. A couple of guys watching the training

sessions said Australia are relaxed laughing and joking and are focused

and aggressive. That can work but it could not work. It is

re-interesting, the polarity between the two. Let's look at the England

team. The opening match of the 2013 World Cup. What stands out, Brian?

The Burgesss. Westwood comes back in as a big lift. He is important to

do. Brett Ferres is into the team and he deserves his chance. Hill

gets a starting block and Watkins comes back at centre. I think it is

a plus for the team. Tompkins at the back, very talented but the balance

on the bench, Burrow and Farrell missed out. Ablett, Mossop and the

other Burgess on the bench. Just a line on Brett Ferres. He wasn't in

the squad originally because Gareth Hock is outcome he comes in. It is a

great story. He was not selected from the 24. Normally a player gets

kicked out, comes in, it is amazing. He is not the sort of character that

will let you down. He is a top professional. He has great ability.

Let's find out more about the man who have come in a cattle truck!

Those are his words, not mine. These are the Burgess brothers.

I am George. I am Sam. I am Thomas. I have only been back in week. It is

great to be around the English guys and the English accent and banter.

In Australia, Rugby league is huge, especially in Sydney. The game is

big. The number one sport. It is likely Premier League here. It is

competitive but that's the best. Being an Englishman adds to that. It

is good fun. A proud day for the Burgess family. Three of the four

brothers included. I am proud of my brothers. They are always my little

brothers no matter how big they are. We will always competing against

each other and competing to be better in the gym as well. If I am

not lifting as much as him, I think, go harder. George likes to be

the most competitive. He succeeds quite a lot of the time, especially

in the gym. He is very strong. He is the alpha male.

To be playing for York National country, it is the best moment in

our couriers. We deserved the caller. There is a whole lot of

belief in the squad this year. It has grown over time. It will be

great to go out there and do the job on Saturday. We just have to do

it. I hope the country gets behind us. It has not happened in so long,

we want to do something special this World Cup and put our names in

history. Through some of the old games to played against Australia,

at we sit in there for 65 minutes and they blow was away at the end.

We have to learn from that. The game on Saturday will be one hell

of a game. Brian Noble, they are well-known in

Australia, but they could crash into the con -- consciousness of

their wider English sporting public, couldn't be? They deserve to. They

have had fabulous seasons Down Under. They were always going to

make a big noise. Crash being the operative word here because, I am

guessing, you probably wouldn't like to have been on the end of

that. No, but I have been on the back of it similar ones and it is a

horrible place to be. When you are on the floor looking up thinking,

what happened there. They have such good skills. Some could be a huge

superstar. He is a probably one of the most complete forwards in world

rugby. George, one of the top tax lists in the NRL. -- the top

players at tackling. He is very competitive. This is going to be a

very long, very long five weeks. Let us find more about the Aussies,

shall we? This is the dressing room. The coach is in the middle. We can

find out more about them with their esteemed leader. I'm Cameron Smith.

Captain of the Australian Rugby League team. Rugby league is number

one in Australia and hopefully we can bring the Cup home. Here is my

guide to the Kangaroos. We have a lethal back line starting with Greg

Inglis. He is our X Factor. And Jonathan says done. He controls the

play and he is lethal with his boots. Who can forget Ara fullback,

Billy Slater, the most dangers number one in the game. He will

sniff around for the ruck. Cameron Smith might just have scored a

sensational try here. Now our engine room, the forwards.

Paul macro, the guy he makes the most metres and he is a workhorse.

-- Paul Dallan. And he makes an impact every time

he plays the game. These are my team mates. Watch out England!

Australia have produced just what they needed to.

This is the odds the third scene. He doesn't talk about himself --

the of the 13. He might play 13 for a bit, the captain. He is crucial

to them. He is the spine of the team. They are very familiar with

each other, and the recognition of what each other does well

established the field position they need. They have complementary

people. We talked about the England talent but we have not mentioned

Greg Inglis once. If you look at the back row, that is world class

as well. Coming off the bench, they have some impact also. England have

a lot to do today. They have real consistency as well. Six of the

seven backs are in the Queensland team and a very familiar with each

other. And Andreu Fifita Is one of the top make is in the NRL. We are

very competitive in that area. Such a fantastically talented side.

Stars across the park. It looks relaxed, the dressing room. Yes.

You can see how relaxed they are. That is sometimes a worrying sign

as an England fan because they looked so comfortable. I think that

is in England's favour. Australia haven't played for a while and and

it -- if England can kick the ball in the right areas that is our best

chance. Steve McNamara is going through his final words. Letters

here from his Australian counterpart.

What is the sense of pressure you get from the public back home? They

demand victory. In saying that, better to be a favourite and not a

favourite. It is how the players handle it. The expectations aren't

from within the group at the moment. There is a lot of football to be

played before you think about a finals tournament. Expectation

comes from the crowd and fans and media mostly. The guys have learned

over the years had to push it aside. You name to see an -- team early,

is that confident? We named the team on Thursday. As far as I'm

concerned that is when everyone wants to know. I am not concerned

about naming it alphabetically or that sort of thing. Maybe I should

have. England appear to be in disarray with problems on and off

the field. This match that make them an extra danger? I made a

danger that an embarrassed side is a dangerous side. It is a Test

match and I have never been involved in one in any shape or

form - a spectator or coach to see anything but a ferocious contest

and I think it will be that at the end of the day. And two.

To machines with Damien Johnson. The giant flags are out and the

teams will be with us shortly. New Zealand are the holders to the

disappointment of Australian fans there. We have a Kiwi as part of

our team. Here is his little guide. Steve McNamara has set his stall

out early and gone for a big pack. Hill, the Burgess boys, and

Westwood are all big players. If they do it properly, they can allow

space for Sinfield and Rangi Chase to provide opportunity and make

sure they keep their eye on the men - might man at the back, but

Tomkins because he is one to watch. Brian, you pick doubt this head-to-

head. -- picked out. Rangi Chase loves space and is a

running player. He has more metres which it means he carries the ball.

Maybe the difference in competition there which allows for space.

Johnathan Thurston is a rout -- around 80% on the tackling front.

The main difference between them is that Rangi Chase loves to run and

the defence is on. Jonathan is more of an organising and kicking and

playing for the team type player. When playing with Rangi Chase, you

have to expect the unexpected? Definitely. You don't know what he

will do next so he is difficult at times to play alongside.

What about Slade debt against Tomkins? Billy Slater has played at

the top level for an number of years. Other guy is he is familiar

with the bridge as a fullback helps your job. Wigan have a specific

shake set-up to help Tom King's out. Doing then not have that? The

structures exist that will get Sam some space but he will have to work

hard to make space and make breaks. But he can do it and he can be the

game maker for England. These are a stun us thing shocks. We see --

astonishing shops. Often, the players look straight ahead but the

whole of the Aussie squad are interviewing the mascot. How good

is this for these kits? Four games tough on the field, we are all soft

off the field, aren't we? A speak for yourself! It is part of our job.

A big part of this World Cup is a legacy, isn't it?

Sometimes you just don't want words, you want to savour the noise as the

teams come out. Kevin Sinfield looked straight ahead with his

steely determination. It is the opening match of the 2013 Rugby

League World Cup, or Australia against England and we have both

anthems on the way. They will be sung by two wonderful singers.

# Australians all let us rejoice. # For we are young and free.

# We've golden soil and wealth for toil.

# Our home is girt by sea. # Our land abounds in nature's

gifts. # Of beauty rich and rare.

# In history's page let every stage. # Advance Australia fair.

# In joyful strains then let us sing.

# Advance Australia fair. # God save our gracious Queen!

# Long live our noble Queen! # God save the Queen!

# Send her victorious. # Happy and glorious.

# Long to reign over us. # God save the Queen #.

Here we go, there are goose bumps, there are nerves, expectation. This

is the 2013 Rugby league World Cup. To talk you through the opening

game, Australia against England. Brian Noble joins the commentators.

It begins with a bang. Two debut nations, unfamiliar mixing in with

the familiar. What better than the old foes, Australia against England?

A spine tingling quality to Australia, Billy Slater, Cronk

playing together for North Queensland. Superstar performers,

Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston. After leaving out and walking out,

this is the England side. Some star quality. Sam Tomkins, Sam Burgess,

the young Burgess twins, George, Thomas on the bench and Brett Ferres

comes straight into the side. The rugby league world is about to get

in motion. Cameron Smith, the heartbeat of Australia. Billy

Slater, character. The important man in the middle. Trying to keep the

peace. Sinfield, ball in the air. Australia, 2013, first possession.

A big game. I hope England start well. They have to be patient, do

the basics well. Nothing else really. It is an arm wrestle. You

have to keep in the game. Greg Bird, remembered as a halfback

when he played for Catalan in 2009. England will focus on getting up and

down off the ground as quickly as possible to give the run is the best

chance to exploit the Australian side.

Is that a new tad to from Rangi Chase? I am not into his personal

fashion! -- tattooed. They have to keep composure, that is

really really crucial. It is a difference between test rugby and

club rugby. The basics and composure. Cameron Smith one of five

survivors in the Australian side from the 2008 World Cup defeat.

A penalty 40 metres away. Hard to argue against that one! You have to

keep your head. Two penalties, you don't want to be chasing the game

early. What is the point of that? They put themselves under pressure.

You cannot give too much field position away.

The first real test here for England in defence.

England will be pleased. Well done, England. England scrambled really

well. They have to learn to keep the

discipline, they were cut by a simple play, trying to off load in

their own 20. Separate am. The game will not be won in the first ten

minutes! You have to throw something at the

Australians, make them make decisions, more than one tackle. I'm

quite pleased with England. I understand the point but that is a

great chase. How good was that kicked? !

Brilliance, great play. Brought the full-back up. They think Sinfield

will be the kicker. Australia looking to do the muscular staff

here. Greg Bird oar-macro Greg Inglis playing at centre today.

Brett Ferres wasn't even in the 24 this time last week. Disciplinary

measures mean he starts today. Penalty for England. Settle the

nerves, get on the board. Take the two points. I think England are

playing a OK. They may increase the pressure on a team which has not

played for six or seven weeks. There is no lack of confidence in the

England side. An encouraging start from the England point of view.

Steve McNamara with the assistant coach.

Ryan Hall will score the first try of the World Cup 2013! The referee

wants to be aptly be certain anti-is. England, England are up and

running! After a week to forget, they have started to remember. What

a great start. George Burgess is absolutely powering into the

Australians and taking two or three men to tackle him. Great set play

releasing Ryan with a magic path down the left-hand side. One, to

dummy bunnies. -- dummy runners. There is the money ball. A great

dummy, third man. That is a great try. This is the money ball.

Sinfield on the builder, the dummy runners and a great finish, well

executed and well-planned. He tormented Australia couple of years

ago, Ryan Hall with those tries at Wembley. England came up short on

that day but they rattled the Aussies. They have rattled the

Aussies at the start of this game here this afternoon.

He has not found the target but England will be very happy with the

story so far, early days but they lead by four points. One dummy,

Morris comes in, he guessed the Cudjoe. A great finish.

Burgess is steaming into them. If you look, 40% of the tries on the

back of one of his players. He is playing the ball quickly.

The roof is closed which can cause condensation on the pitch. We have

seen a couple of slips. It is a new pitch as well. There is

moisture in the air. They should be wearing the correct

This team will not let you off the hook. They have to limit their

chances. Let's hear from the touchline. So

far, so good. Yes, that was part of the game plan. So far, so good.

George Burgess is steaming into them. Yes, he is a big unit.

The they get a ball wide of Tomkins which pulls a wind-up up and

creates more space which is really good play. Australia are looking

towards the left-hand side. The referee says last. -- lost.

Greg Bird, I just feel you can get under his Ging a bit and he gets a

bit ratty. -- under his skin. The referee saw that as a knock-on.

It was unlucky. A bit better execution and we would have been

down the sideline. Just to make them think, if they can swap and

changed... You have Paul Gallen at prop, the next scrum, hit the

wingers and chasing it. It is the chance of a try and you will make

them think. Australia were offside. They proper penalty. By to play on.

That is exactly what Kevin Sinfield is doing.

Another penalty so another set of its six. Great play by James Roby.

He attracted the outside defender. He might have got it over the line.

He's going for the video replay. We'll hear from the video referee

so let us hear. OK. We're going to see if the ball

is grounded. He has possession at this point. We are looking to see

if the ball ends up on the ground. I'm not sure. I think the ball has

come out of his grasp. The ball is lost. Have another look.

I think it is lost over the line so it will be a no try and a 20 me to

restart. So we heard the explanation and here comes

confirmation on the big screen. You can here the disappointment from an

English support that felt George Burgess has called that but he was

denied. The damage he is causing. The Australians know all about him.

They know he is a big tackler and they have to get in front of him.

He just couldn't quite keep his grip on the ball. The BBC

executives... 60 it minute -- 16 minutes played.

Pez some -- pessimism in the English camp in the run-up to this

game but... They were unlucky there in that maybe there was an unlucky

tackle. It is a measure of the am I to pressure England are putting on

Australia. They ruck the ball out and kick it into the corners but I

am impressed with the way they are throwing it up. They are disrupting

the rhythm of the Australians who are losing control.

He tried to get the offload away but it was picked up. England's

defence recovers and a given a penalty. England are in the

ascendancy here. They are punching holes in the Australian defence.

That mistake by Hill let Australia of the hill - might hook. -- let

them off the hook. Andreu Fifita Is making his are

Australia debut today. The momentum has been with England.

That was good work on that occasion by a Kyle Amor Watkins. Calum

Watkins needs to work all the time or if Charnley because defensive

decisions will make all the difference. If one goes in, they're

all going. In the build-up, we saw iconic moments in England and

Australia it crashes -- clashes over the years and this match could

go into the annals of history. Leroy Cudjoe! But the referee wants

to make absolutely sure. He is asking for a video replay. Is it a

second English try or not? If you can pause it on the kick.

Every English player is on side. He catches the ball cleanly. No one is

affecting a tackle so it is played on. If he grounds for the ball it

is a try. That is a try, guys. It is a second a England drive.

Leroy Cudjoe has joined Ryan Hall on the score board. England lead 8-

0 with a conversion to come. What about this start? It is a terrific

try as well. This team are well prepared and they have started on

fire. They have a great platform. Kevin Sinfield is pulling the

strings. This time he has nailed it and

England are into double figures. They never lacked the belief. For

all that has gone on this week, they never lacked the belief. That

was an ageing -- amazing catch from Leroy Cudjoe. And to stay focused

and get it over the whitewash... Great finish. I am glad they turned

the pressure into points. Encouraging from an England point

of view, but a long, long way from the job being done with an hour to

go. Tim Sheens and knows that his side need to react. He wasn't in

charge when his side lost in 2008. He was appointed more less as a

result of that defeat. If you win this game, you avoid New

Zealand in the semi-final which should be an easier route to the

final because New Zealand look exceptionally strong. New Zealand

play at some that tomorrow. That mistake has given a clear now

back to Australia. A mistake on the halfway line gives Australia a

platform to attack from. Billy Slater is so dangerous. That

is a lot to ask of a second row. Another set here. Australia will

pummel this English side for another six tackles. A big test for

the Australian attack. England that survive a monumental

spell of pressure. Good defence again. A England are up to

everything Australia throw at them at the moment and that is a great

sign for the team. There were a lot of doubt is building up to this

game, but a lot of those doubts have been put to one side here,

haven't they? Absolutely. We have said all week There are too many

good players and they are up for this challenge. The question is can

they control the game from the half back and so far they have done

exceptionally well. It was an inch too long, you can

forgive him that. A special neck brace because of an

injury from 2003. Inglis grabs it off him and

Johnathan Thurston scores the try. The referee checks with the touch

judges but the giant Greg Inglis setting it up. You cannot do

anything about that. Greg Inglis is a great player. He checks his run,

outjump sit. The composure and confidence, Thurston scores. I

cannot impress on our viewers what world-class rugby we are seeing.

This is world-class from Greg Inglis. That is hard to defend. You

have to put it down to the game situation. I don't know why he had

to pass. The kit is perfect. He could score here. Just for safety

reasons, pass it to Thurston. That is a predetermined thing. England

have been 90% of this game, fantastic things from England. It is

a measure of concentration every second in every minute.

Six points for Australia, ten of four England. -- ten points for

England. Live-action every week now on

Saturday afternoon on the BBC all the way through to the final at Old

Trafford on November 30 and every match live on five live.

An England side who started well with self-confidence.

England are dominant in possession. With all of that dominance, four

points. As you mentioned, this team, you cannot allow them into your

field. Good hit by Ryan Hall to dislodge the ball.

Don't give Australia any free ball. The errors, they cannot afford to do

that. Fifita should be on his honeymoon

out! The England boys was she was. What we do have is a rather strange

atmosphere. It is not the gung ho come on England you would expect

from a home crowd. There are many English supporters here. Maybe they

are nervous. World-class athletes out there,

belting each other and playing good rugby with skill and great running.

This is rugby at its nest! -- West. This is a good tactical game. The

crowd are nervous. Desperate desperate tackle by Sam

Burgess. He was through. It is moments like that that win

test matches. Into the gap flies Greg Bird. Henry

Perenara looked at Roath touch judges. Australia might be level

again soon. -- both touch judges. The money ball is from Johnathan

Thurston. He picked out the right runner.

The flag is raised. Australia have pegged England back. They lead by

two. Australia looking to keep safe. The

worry is simple, England have given Australia too much ball on the

halfway line. That leads to too much pressure on your own defensive line.

We have had a couple of penalties, if you errors. Doing the basics

well. The first 20 minutes, this is such a good side, the Australian

side, you cannot afford to give them that in your own half.

The Australian touch judge saw that as a forward pass. A good call from

the official. It is hard to argue against that one.

Give Tomkins balls and run him around the big forwards. Time to

switch on now with the time left. Watched that they don't kick and

chase. Billy Slater with a smash and grab

moment at the end of the first half and that gives Australia A level of

comfort they barely deserved. I think Sam Burgess it should have

been on the other side of the scrum but they got the call late. It

would be interesting to see that. That is purely down to a mistake at

the scrum in the defensive shape. You can't allow a bloke of this

pays to run at the forward. That tackle was high and it should have

been made, but you can't al at -- afford to leave a loose forward.

That is it should have been on the blind side. And because they did it

late, we saw some Burgess try to run across to get there and that is

the only space Billy Slater needed. We said switch on 50 seconds to go.

If the panellists in the studio can pick that up on the overhead camera

and what a late call it was and what an opportunity it gave to

Billy Slater. You know from that scrum, that is what full backs

should be doing, world back -- world class full backs, to take

defenders on. What is the point of having a position like that if you

will not take advantage of it. I knew straight away by his body

language that he would have a crack at the forward who is tired and the

last man of the Match - might in the last minute of the match.

It's Thurston kicks this, they will have to score twice to get

themselves into the lead. He has put it over, so a kick in

the teeth for a grave England effort because Australia lead by

18-10. They have plenty to work on, haven't they, the England side? Let

us hear from the touchline. A lapse of concentration at the

end? We lost a bit of shape. We will have to sort that out. You

know you can trouble them, don't you? We just need a bit more ball

down that end. Good luck in the second half.

You guys in the second 20 scored a try say you must be happy. We will

be happy with the second 20 but in the first there were too many

errors. We need to cut that out of our game. A lot of us haven't

played a lot of the Dee in the last two months and we need to get back

to basics. Good luck. Billy Slater goes into the changing

room a happy man after that first half. After 20 minutes, it didn't

look like that. Aside from the scoreline, it looks

fairly even. Possession and territory shared. But England have

made seven errors to the Australian the Six tally.

We want your views as well as Steve McNamara goes around his players.

There is the tweet address. And you can get on the BBC sport Facebook

page as the Aussies get their half- time refreshment as well.

As was said, it was that a half of two halves. The first 20 minutes

where all England and it looked a bit too easy because it was.

Australia went quite with it. The one act carries surprised be

because we made so many metres of the back of them and that is not

normal. The intensity roads. You said it could go one of two ways

before we started when we talked about how relaxed the Aussies were?

England brought some intensity to the opening 20 minutes and probably

surprised Australia. I think the aggression really worked well but

what we saw was a contrast. England started with so much control and

when there was an option to pass they played the maul -- the wall

and did not have many errors. When England lost against Italy, their

completion in the whole game was 57%. At a halfway point it is the

same today and that is not good enough to win any game and that is

why Australia have come back into the game. They are still

fantastically poised and England played really well for a proportion

of that game. It highlights that, against Australia you can't have

one set Ord to set Spotify -- once set ought to sex de

Hall was left with a great deal of space and he is one of the best

finishers in the game. One of the sector plays that England have been

working on... It is one of our standard plays and well executed. A

great start for England. And they were dominant, when they? They were

on fire and making so many metres. It was simple. Off the back of that,

we were talking and St, basically, you do get tired say you need to

look for push and support. Everything comes off the back of

that. Let us go on to lean macro's try. -- lean

This is something he works on every day in training. It is based on the

Aussie Rules. They practise taking the ball hands above his head

making sure an attacker catches it well above his head. I won't

embarrass my rugby skills by passing it to. The defenders trying

to catch underarm can't get to it. All wingers in the world are trying

to do that. It was really well executed. There were two examples

early in the game of England executing plays very well. After 25

minutes, the Aussies found their feet and I mean that literally.

It has been a difficult surface. Andreu Fifita Came on and they made

more yardage and ended up in England's territory more often.

That was a difficult catch for San Tomkins. Any young half backs

watching this, first and had no right to be here but he scores a

try. A great catch their from Inglis. This try it was

disappointing. A player is stadia - - standing close to your line which

is a cardinal sin. Kevin had to make a choice. Such a difficult

decision. I think Corey Parker got interested. That was a great piece

of skill that finishing. The two people standing in the tackle get

caught out and that means there's is only one out wide. They will be

disappointed with how they conceded this. It was indecision around the

scrum. England had to reorganise their full defensive line and sand

Burgess had to move it 15 metres and he couldn't make Background up.

Billy Slater is too quick and good. We spoke about England

concentration and that was a lapse and it will be a really

disappointing try. Steve McNamara will be saying, remember what you

did in that first 20 minutes. This scoreline is not insurmountable.

Not in the slightest. They need to take confidence from what they were

doing in the first place. Controlling the rack and the

territory and they were miles in front. The disappointing thing is

that they then started making errors when they got tired. They

can't do that. We have a highlights programme during the Rugby League

World Cup tomorrow. It will be straight after a match of the day.

Every game will be live on five Live.

Comprehensive coverage on the BBC sport website and programmes are

repeated on the I player. Later on, we will have Wales and

taking on Italy and you will be able to see that on BBC Two when

the England/Australia game has finished.

We have been joined by Ray French who will be commentating on that

Wales match. This will be your last game alive calling it for BBC

television. I was wondering why you got me with make upon to come into

the studio. I haven't been in life for 33 years. But you will still be

involved and we will still use you as an expert and pundit because we

will not let your wealth of knowledge go to waste. I want to be

involved. It has been a passion all my life and I cannot keep away from

it. My wife sits at home and gets on with life and allows me to watch

rugby league and all sorts of rugby. She is a dream or man, Ray. Can you

pick up one woman out over your 30 T's of commentary? There are many

moments. I remember the terrific try at Wembley when he danced

through. I think my first Wembley was when the armed forces invaded

the Falklands and I got a message in my year saying, you've got to go

to the news. I think it was Jan Leeming at the time. There is about

to be a net announcement of the invasion of the Falklands and you

have to introduce it. I'm trying to commentate and I am trying to write

a few notes and I thought I would make a mess of it but I managed to

get over to her. You have been a voice of this game for all of us

sat in the studio as we grew up. It has been a personal honour to work

with you over the last couple of years. I met you as a 14-year-old

boy when I got taken around and you were a gentleman and scholar then

and you are to this day. You mean a lot to a lot of people in rugby

league. A I will thank everyone in rugby league because there is a

great camaraderie in it. You have access to whatever and speak to

anybody. There is a great friendship. It develops the whole

spirit. We look forward to Wales against Italy in your company.

Thank you very much, Re. Let us rejoin Brian -- Brian Noble.

Australia will feel their ship is back on an even keel. Australia

clawing it back, and we have this situation, Australia lead by 18

points to ten. The first try in the second period is important.

These are the best rugby players on the planet. They are fantastic at

their job. Tim Sheens ordered his team to check

their boots. There is too much sliding. Firing on all cylinders.

An example of a difference at this level. Chandler should have gone

harder and earlier dashed Charnley. He has pushed that a long way wide.

He said this is why these test match teams like Australia will test us.

He urged the side to get back to what they were doing in the first 20

minutes. The game is in the balance now. It

could go either way. The element of testing every facet is what the

Australians do. You have to concentrate every second of every

set. Australia are doing the basics well. When they do the tough stuff

and rock the ball out, they will do that.

These other periods when you dig in to stay in the game.

If you do the basics well, it does not matter what level you play at,

you will be comfortable. That is what the Australians are doing. This

is a test of England's resolve. Australia are turning the screw.

England needs to hang on. Another wave of green and gold

attack. The try from George Burgess but the

referee leaves us hanging on again. Henry Perenara isn't entirely sure.

Has he got it? The video referee. Yes. He kept control of the ball. It

is grounded. The hand is still on the ball. It is a try.

He was denied in the first half. He is not to be denied in the second

half. England are back with a fighting chance and it is one of the

Burgess boys who has wrestled the initiative back the way of England.

It is all about Sam Burgess setting the play up.

Kevin Sinfield kicks the goal. It is back on.

Hill and Burgess, a difficult decision for any defender...

It is a match still to be decided and England are doing what they

need to do to get themselves back into this contest. Can they step it

up from here now? Australia are fighting hard to dampen their

spirits. The ball was on the but the players

were a bit flat. I think he just sliced that one off

his foot. Let us hear from the touchline.

What do you want to see England do? The game plan we have been working

on... De talk in the dressing room. If we stick to the game plan I

think we will have Australia. The few times we have used it we have

come up trumps. Punch and counter-punch is what

England have to concern themselves with.

Well done Kallum Watkins. He came in and stop the play and sprinted

back to his line and handled the kick when it was put through by a

Cronk. The longer this game goes and

England can hold on, I think we will see Australia creaking.

Sinfield is now playing in the dummy-half role.

Sometimes I wish that Rob Burrow was there. But there are only 17

players you can pick. Too long in the ruck and Westwood

is claiming he was being held on to by the Australian players. Let us

see if he was. It just gives the Australians a little time to settle

again. It was knocked on. That was great

foresight play. The referee is asking the touch judge as to how

the restart should go. The video replay, not to see if a try has

been scored, but to see how we should be restarted. We may be

looking for obstruction. Is he in touch? Is the foot on the

line? No, it is not. It is touch. Scrum down. England

ball. I think the other option would have been a tap back on the

20. Anyway, it was never going to be a try. Good play down the short

side though. Yes. A little messy but we will get time

back on shortly. The explanation as to why he has given England the

scrum here. Rangi Chase will feed it and Ryan Hall is the first man

to drive it forward. England did well there because you

need to get that bloke early. He is quick and strong. I think Ben

Westwood is in trouble here. He looks a little groggy.

The referee will stop it because Ben Westwood is in danger of

getting in the way of things. There is no subtlety to that is

there, really? White his fate -- face and get on with the game. The

referee says he has to leave the field to change his uniform. He

caught a stray one, didn't he? Presumably the strapping around his

back is the tracking device, is it? He pops a need to the head.

It is going off here. England players are not happy with

something that Andreu Fifita Was getting involved with their.

The left on -- the leg. An extra push. Not really too much problem.

They are complaining with the leg lift and the dangers position he

put money in. The referee said play on. He has calmed things down.

England get a penalty which will take them back in the Australia

half. I think this is working out for England. The Australians look

tired. If they can look after the ball and knock them home at the

stronger. Very scruffy. That was a knock-on.

Yes, he just played it on the ground. A you don't get many

opportunities at this level. Clearly a knock on. You might get

that many opportunities in a Tex -- Test match at this level. It was

desperation to play the ball quickly, wasn't it? I think he's

got to go off, hasn't he? England won't want him to go. He is a real

influence, isn't he, Westwood? They will want to get him back on as

quickly as possible. Ferres comes on in his place. The

extra encouragement for England is no O'Loughlin today. We think they

are back for the rest of the tournament. That only strengthens

England from here. McNamara said he had 24 players and

that's what he wants. They are playing well enough to keep their

spots. Australia looking to battle

themselves out of trouble. Strains of God save the Queen out

there. An immediate appeal for the tackle. Thaiday went to town. And he

stayed down. -- went down. Sam Burgess, what was his part in

this? He will wait for the player to be

treated. It will go on report. That is just... A red card.

I know it is a test match but...! Thaiday is a big lad.

The referee is putting his arms in the air, to go on report. The

disciplinary panel will look at that in the week and see if there is any

more action to take. England play Ireland next Saturday. And Fiji the

following Saturday. You can see those on the BBC.

I think Rochdale is a sell-out. That'll be one of the games of the

tournament in terms of entertainment.

Jon Wilkin is watching from the studio. It is a tough game. Sam

Burgess renowned for being a tough character coming to blows with

Thaiday. I hope there is no disciplinary action off the back of

that. O'Loughlin and these other guys coming the squad. This is what

we want to see. If Jon Wilkin is on the committee,

he would get away with it! Another penalty. Something might have been

said out of place. With a difference of six points, a

penalty will make a big difference should this go over. Robbie

Hunter-Paul is on the sideline. I can reiterate what Jon Wilkin said,

this is an intense game. These guys are smashing the heck out of one

another. England are about to make a change and Australia have made

eight. Going into the last 15 minutes, it may came -- come down to

a war of attrition. Eight points the difference. 16 for

England, 24 now for Australia. They are edging towards a win. With tired

bodies, playing the right areas first of all, power up front.

We could do with an Australian mistake now, forced or otherwise.

Cameron Smith is up there as well. Cameron Smith at the back of the

scrum. Ablett saw what was coming and ran

into Billy Slater. The penalty goes the way of Australia. Why would you

do that? ! Great defence, watch this. Great

defence. Cudjoe... More heavy labour to go. England

have two hang on here. They still have a chance. Territory, 50% each.

Possession... 62%. There is and much between these two

sides. -- isn't. Over it goes with Darius void. He is

quite confidence he scored the try. -- Darius Boyd. Possible

obstruction. He released the ball, that's fine.

An angle from behind? The ball is grounded correctly. Go

back. The left arm, is it in the field of play? Job it on from now.

The arm is up, the ball is down. That is a try. Darius Boyd has a big

look knowing what is coming next. It is a try. He might -- it might be

the moment it makes certain of an Australian victory.

I still wonder if widow was taken out. This is the penalty. The touch

judge got that right. The dummy runners, early doors, hold

everyone tight which then causes the outside defence to not drift away.

You cannot drift on Greg Inglis or Billy Slater because they are too

quick. It is very difficult. Maybe they can sit and relax a

little now. England would need two tries and two goals to get level.

They are capable of it. The Italians are making their debut

in the World Cup. They will be desperate not to let

Australia in for another try. It wouldn't be a fair reflection of

They needed a little bit of zip the game.

They needed a little bit of zip into

Not this time. Plenty of tackles left.

It was a bit made gap and manufactured, long? Sometimes it

can work for you. It is a gift! AB conversion coming

up for Sinfield -- a big conversion. That is the mistake they wanted,

England. Just watch Billy Slater. Charnley was on that like a flash.

Great finish. Greg Bird didn't show up. Well done to Josh Charnley. The

injured player stopped him going under the posts.

It was just across the face of the goal. A rueful smile from the coach,

Steve McNamara. It has certainly reasserted a modicum of English

self belief. England still have to score twice,

but they have given themselves a bit of hope here.

England are still running with a lot of figure, are they? Yes, they

are. Johnathan Thurston is the man on

the floor and the man of the match today. It looks as though England

will lose this now, but a lot of worried English supporters will be

encouraged by what they have seen today. They should be as well.

Their lack of ball control in the middle parts of the field and

giving Australia a bit too much possession has cost them. But there

are encouraging aspects of what they have done today. In this group,

three teams qualify say England still have to play Fiji and Ireland

so they will be confident of going into these stages. It is likely now

that England will face New Zealand in a semi-final down the line. But

they will reach that challenge when they get their encouraged by what

they have done here today. A knock-on. It has been a great

performance by England. A little lack of discipline and handling

errors in the first half and discipline in the second half. That

has been the difference, hasn't it? 55 seconds left to play.

We talked about concentration at the end of the first half. It is a

real must at the end of the second half. Concentration at the end of

the first half and the start of the second half has lost them this game.

They don't want to concede anything now vote, do they? -- now though,

do they? That is the final hooter and the

referee will blow the whistle. Disappointing in terms of results

for England. Losing bike 28-20 but encouraging for England in terms of

performance. We've had a great game today. Put aside the distractions

of the week, the talents on display. The basic things they can improve

on, they will be in a position to be even better. The back line was

solid today. The forwards were immense. Just basics, discipline,

if you handling errors were the difference. It will be an

opportunity to build through this World Cup. If they get to the semi-

final, they will get straight into new geek -- New Zealand and I

expect them to be the top of the group as well. They can build on

this -- when they play. They have set themselves a plait

for me here today. They have lost this game and missed out on the

opportunity of blooding Australia's knows and maybe avoiding New

Zealand in the semi-finals, but a loss to Italy last week and there

were internal disciplinary problems in the week. It looked as though

their world was falling apart but their World Cup is very much back

on track. How do you assess the team's

performance? Rusty to start with and a few dropped balls. England

got a couple of tries. Full credit to the boys, we stuck to our game

plan. Where they Teva then you were expecting? We all know -- we always

know how tough it will be when we come up against England. They

stepped into worse but our boys stuck to the grain -- game plan and

we got away with it. I'd guess you were bound to be rusty as you

hadn't played together for a long time. That is part of fatigue. In

the second half, we controlled the game. We were put under the palm by

the English side. It was pretty physical, wasn't it? And you know

the Burgess boys well. The pack is a very good pack and they kept

coming at us and they kept testiness. We are glad to get the

wind. The congratulations. Steve, I know you will be disappointed with

the do beat -- defeat but you have a huge amount to take on that,

haven't you? We started the game off great. We lost our way in the

second 20 minutes and we stopped playing a bit which was

disappointing. We needed to find some energy and we did at certain

stages but we gave debate -- gave way to many free possession and

penalties. It is hard to keep the intensity up? Yes, we dropped off a

bit. Australia are the best team. We have a lot to go away with.

There has been so much in the build up, how much has it - my how

important is it too put in a good result? We have the seven blacks

who were desperate -- seven blokes. Well done. Thank you.

It is always difficult to hear the questions.

That is how the group stands. You can see all the fixtures and

remember three teams qualify from Group A. It is part of a double-

header here on the BBC. Coming up, we have Wales against Italy which

will be on BBC Two. We are on for another two-and-a-half hours so we

will have plenty of thoughts. Keep your thoughts coming in on twitter

and Facebook. England have been beaten by Australia, but there is

hope and the cup is up and running.