By Rich Cowley, Updated: 24/10/17
Teams: Australia v England
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Victoria, Australia
Date: 27th October 2017
Kick-off time: 8pm (Local Time)
2017 RLWC TV viewing information: Channel 7 will broadcast all 2017 RLWC games in Australia on Free to Air TV. BBC Will broadcast RLWC games across the UK. Sky Sports will Broadcast all RLWC matches in New Zealand. Fiji TV will Broadcast all matches RLWC matches across the Pacific Islands. EM TV will broadcast all RLWC matches across PNG. Astro will broadcast all RLWC matches across Malaysia. PCCW will broadcast all RLWC matches across Hong Kong. DAZN will broadcast all RLWC matches across Japan. OSN Sports will broadcast all matches across the Middle East. Fox Sports will broadcast all matches across the United States.
Overview: With a rivalry dating back over 100 years the opening game of the 2017 RLWC will see two old foes meet once again in Melbourne.
Over the last few decades England have talked themselves up before every major rugby league tournament before falling short disappointing both the international rugby league tragic’s and the fans back home. This time the vibe coming out of the England camp seems to be different. The English have been laying low which is not surprising with new Super Coach Wayne Bennett at the helm. Could we finally see an England team that leaves the talking up to the media while they put in 100% on and off the field? England need to get off to a flying start and the only way to do that is to overcome Australia in Melbourne on the 27th of October.
The Kangaroos like most World Cups will walk into this game as red hot favourites to take out England and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup overall. With the most successful State of Origin coach in History Mal Meninga now onboard as Head Coach, Australia are in the box seat. The team could make up most positions in a World’s Best XIII team. The only danger for the Roos is complacency. England will need to bring their best game for an upset to happen.
2017 RLWC Australia v England teams
Australia 2017 RLWC Team:
1 Billy SLATER
2 Dane GAGAI
3 William CHAMBERS
4 Joshua DUGAN
5 Valentine HOLMES
6 Michael MORGAN
7 Cooper CRONK
8 Aaron WOODS
9 Cameron SMITH (c)
10 David KLEMMER
11 Boyd CORDNER
12 Matt GILLETT
13 Jake TRBOJEVIC
14 Wade GRAHAM
15 Jordan MCLEAN
16 Joshua MCGUIRE
17 Tyson FRIZELL
18 Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD
19 Ben HUNT
20 Tom TRBOJEVIC
21 Felise KAUFUSI
England 2017 RLWC Team:
1 Jonny LOMAX
2 Jermaine MCGILLVARY
3 Kallum WATKINS
4 John BATEMAN
5 Ryan HALL
6 Gareth WIDDOP
7 Luke GALE
8 Chris HILL
9 Josh HODGSON
10 James GRAHAM
11 Sam BURGESS
12 Elliott WHITEHEAD
13 Sean O’LOUGHLIN (c)
14 Alex WALMSLEY
15 Chris HEIGHINGTON
16 Thomas BURGESS
17 James ROBY
18 Ben CURRIE
19 Kevin BROWN
20 Mark PERCIVAL
21 Scott TAYLOR
