Jodie Cunningham believes England Women have laid the perfect platform for a shot at glory as they bid to preserve their unbeaten run at the World Cup.
England will head into the semi-finals as group winners if they avoid defeat to Papua New Guinea in their final group game on BBC 2 at Headingley tonight, and that is likely to mean avoiding favourites Australia in the last four.
The hosts have enjoyed two big wins so far, beating Canada and Brazil with an aggregate score of 126-8.
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And St Helens captain Cunningham says those scorelines are no fluke - it is down to the squad being worked harder than the players have ever felt before.
“We get really pushed by the staff which is brilliant,” the 2021 Woman of Steel tells The Sportsman.
“But at times it is really hard when you are knackered and have done a full week’s work and have to go to training after work.
“That is tough but it will be worth it ten times over if we manage to lift that trophy.”
Craig Richards’ squad all have full-time jobs but for the first time will receive equal participation fees, prize money and are receiving the same global platform of exposure. Their win over Canada on Saturday was played alongside the mens’ quarter-final as part of a double-header in the presence of HRH The Princess of Wales.
PNG stunned England in their last meeting three years ago, but speaking on this week’s episode of The Last Tackle: Inside England, Cunningham says this is a steelier squad, and one determined to go all the way to Old Trafford without any slip-ups.
“We have put ourselves in the best position to do it.
“I don’t think there is any more we could have done as a group, we are dreaming about it but hopefully we get to live it in a week’s time.
“What has been really good is that I don’t think there has been a bad performance from anyone in this squad. We have all played. Everyone has taken to the field and everyone is in form at just the right time for a World Cup.”
Cunningham and team-mate Tara Jones allow The Sportsman cameras into their Leeds base for an exclusive look at life in camp.
“The best thing about being in camp is that you are basically a child for three weeks,” Cunningham adds.
“Someone tells you what to wear, where to be, what you are eating and makes it all for you. And does all your washing, although my grandma does that for me anyway.”
For Jones, who is a referee as well as a player, the tournament provides a real opportunity to create a legacy, with their opening match against Brazil played on a midweek afternoon in front of a stadium of schoolchildren cheering on their new heroes.
“The kids getting on board brought a big buzz to the stadium and we loved that and thrived off it,” Jones says.
“Because it was school trips there were children there getting the opportunity to go that maybe would never get that chance again in their lives.
“It was mega and hopefully we can inspire some of them, now they have watched it for themselves and hopefully now will watch us on tv. If they get the opportunity in school now they might give it a go.”
England v Papua New Guinea 7:30pm kick off tonight, BBC2
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