England have highlighted one big area that needs fixing ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals, as they prepare for their last group game against Greece.
Shaun Wane’s side are expected to make it three wins from three against the rugby league minnows in front of a bumper crowd at Bramall Lane, but the head coach has been demanding improvement in some key areas of his squad.
Wane revealed this week that defensive lapses against France last weekend were a concern, and as he shuffles his pack again for the group climax there is one other vital component of their game that England have been addressing.
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“The impact from the bench wasn’t as good (against France) as those starting, so the game just dipped and France got back in it,” hooker Andy Ackers tells The Sportsman.
“We fixed a few things and it’s all about building now. This week has been really intense, really tough and we have got loads out of it.”
The Salford number nine is poised to earn his first start against Greece, having been one of those substitutes against the French. The Sportsman understands the 28-year old could now be asked to play the full 80 minutes in Sheffield.
Ackers has been one of the Red Devils standout performers this season and, like most of his international team-mates, is not used to not starting games.
Throwing domestic stars into an international team means adapting to new roles, including time on the bench, and this has long been an issue according to Ackers and his former Salford team-mate Kevin Brown.
In a fascinating discussion on this week’s episode of The Last Tackle: Inside England, the pair reveal just how much individual games, mindsets and preparations need to be altered on the step up to international rugby league.
“It’s something we have spoken about,” Ackers admits. “Mikolaj Oledzki is saying the same thing, as he is used to starting.
“When we represent our country we are not going to be the leaders calling the shots. If Shaun wants us on the bench as impact with a high energy level, then that is something we have to adapt to.
“I can’t remember the last time I was on the bench, I think it was two or three years ago.
“I don’t think our bench brought enough energy to keep our level as high (against France). The start of the game was really intense. There is nobody to blame, it’s just the energy levels were very different.”
Brown starred for England in the 2017 World Cup, playing in the final as Wayne Bennett’s side suffered an agonising 6-0 defeat to Australia. And he believes that ‘bench mentality’ is one of the most common problems coaches have to deal with in their international squads.
“It’s completely alien for the best player in the club team to start on the bench and then come on and make an impact,” says Brown.
“The first time I was ever on the bench was for England, and there are players coming off the bench now who aren’t used to coming off the bench.
“It’s a preparation thing. When you eat, what you have before the game. I always used to take caffeine to spike me for kick off, but I would have it at the same time when I was on the bench and just be sat there full of energy and full of nerves, but not releasing it. Suddenly you can be in a down, and then he says ‘you’re on’. But you have to make an impact.”
Ackers agrees that it is more an issue of preparation than ego, and admits that because the players care so much it can become problematic when they are on the sideline rather than in the heat of battle.
“You can also get too emotionally involved when you are on the bench.
“But you have a job to do and you need to stay focused. Sometimes when you go on you try to do too much and it can go against you. It is for your country so you just have to adapt.”
Wane has drilled his ‘Big Team, Little Me” mantra into the players and that has paid off with a strong first fortnight of the tournament.
“They have started exceptionally well, expectations have really increased since the Samoa game,” Brown adds.
”There was a 20-minute period just before half-time where they took the foot off the gas, but showed a lot of character in the second half.
“We just look quality, like a team not a group of individuals.
“The outside backs have a lot of strike and as a fan I’m very excited about what we can do in this competition.”
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