There will be the usual postmortem into just what’s so wrong with England after another World Cup failure.
Wrong selections? Does coach Shaun Wane need to bite the bullet? Not enough quality in Super League? The truth is, all of that is irrelevant. More than at any level, in international rugby league, everything boils down to taking your chance. Being ruthless. Too often in the decades without any glory, England - and Great Britain before them - have simply not taken their opportunity.
Not because wrong selections were made. Not because the coach was the wrong man. And not because there’s not enough quality in Super League. Just fleeting moments that can change destiny. That’s the only difference. And England tend to fall on the wrong side of them. Everyone now bemoaning Wane’s selection of Michael McIlorum wasn’t whining when he helped England cruise through to the semi-finals. Jack Welsby isn’t suddenly to be jettisoned because of one bad game.
Stars have to align for any side to prosper. It was always fanciful saying England’s narrow 2017 World Cup final loss would set them up stronger for this tournament. In reality, that WAS England’s best chance of success. They were in a final against an ageing Australia team and they fell short. They had to seize that moment, take that opportunity and they didn’t.
England should always have 17 quality enough players to get themselves in that position again but there is no God-given right that they will. It’s ludicrous to think otherwise when you consider England have never won a World Cup. Australia are now huge favourites to beat Samoa on Saturday and clinch a NINTH win in ten tournaments. They generally have that edge because they generally take their chance. I doubt there’s anything scientific to it.
England do need more regular international contests and - after witnessing two brilliant semi-finals - the sport here will have won over plenty of new fans. There’s no fixtures confirmed for 2023 yet but a three-match home Test series with New Zealand is thought to be on the cards. Wane remains under contract for another year and he should carry on until then before any decision is made about whether he stays until the 2025 World Cup in France. He will have learned lessons. As will his players. But, more than anything, they now know just how unforgiving international rugby league truly is.
