Canberra Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead says World Cup glory with England would top anything he could achieve in the NRL and has backed his side to silence the doubters.
The 33-year old from Bradford played in England’s agonising World Cup Final defeat to Australia in 2017, lining up in the back row alongside skipper Sam Burgess as the Kangaroos won 6-0 with a try from opposite number Boyd Cordner.
It was a defeat that still stings Whitehead, and despite experiencing an NRL Grand Final in 2019, this home World Cup in England is the one he has been waiting for.
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“My proudest moment wasn’t playing in an NRL Grand Final,” Whitehead tells The Sportsman with a steely grin.
“Playing in the 2017 World Cup final meant a lot more to me. It doesn’t get any better than that. This is the pinnacle of a rugby career, so I just hope I get selected.”
Whithead’s inclusion would appear one of the more straight forward calls for head coach Shaun Wane, with the six-strong NRL contingent arriving last week and slipping seamlessly into the squad alongside its 18 Super League stars.
“There are a lot of players from different clubs and you need to get on to enjoy it. The more weeks we get into the tournament the better that will get too. We are playing a lot of darts and I’m probably the best ... the staff are making sure there’s plenty for us to do so we don’t get bored.”
Whitehead and Tom Burgess both played in that World Cup final five years ago, and feel like they have unfinished business starting this Saturday against Samoa.
Their coach Matt Parish has been able to name the strongest ever Samoa squad for a World Cup, a highly-fancied team brimming full of NRL stars that includes a huge contingent from champions Penrith Panthers.
But Whitehead has revealed England already have a plan in place to grind Samoa’s big men down.
“Most of Samoa’s backline play for Penrith so we need to limit their yardage,” he says.
“We need to get the bigger boys going back and turning round to test their fitness.
“I believe in our squad and know a lot of people are talking about Samoa, but I’m sure if we stick to our gameplan we will get over the top of them.
“We have the quality in the squad and the gameplan to get the win.”
England are fifth favourites with Betfred to win the World Cup, but Whitehead believes they are far stronger than they are being given credit for, with head coach Wane the perfect man to turn the squad’s passion into performances.
“Shaun is very passionate and he bleeds for England. He’s made sure everything is ready for us to put in the performance we need at the weekend.
“He’s a tough old man but he knows when to have a bit of fun as well. He wants every box ticked and so far he is doing that, but he’s also made it enjoyable which makes you want to work hard for him.”
As hosts, England have the honour of kicking off the tournament this Saturday at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, and with so much expected of Samoa, it is a match likely to have a big bearing on the whole tournament.
To get the public onside, the tournament needs a successful England team, and the need for a big start therefore is something not lost on Whitehead.
“It’s going to be a massive atmosphere and a hostile atmosphere for Samoa,” he adds.
“I’ve played there in a Magic Weekend and can’t wait to get up there again. I hope everyone in England can get behind us, as this is an opportunity for us to put rugby league back on the map.”
Hear more from Elliott Whitehead and England legend Adrian Morley, including interviews with England captain Sam Tomkins and Samoa head coach Matt Parish on Episode 1 of The Last Tackle: Inside England.
6pm today on The Sportsman Rugby League YouTube.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
