Another trip down memory lane as England gear up for their biggest test yet against Australia this Saturday...
2017 Rugby League World Cup – Australia 6 England 0
2017 was a year when England came so close yet so far.
It was the first time in 22 years that England had reached a Rugby League World Cup Final, but despite an incredible and highly competitive performance, it was favourites Australia who were crowned World Champions on home soil for the first time since 1977 – but it came by the finest of margins.
This was an England side full of courage, however, having impressed throughout the entirety of their World Cup journey. Together, the team managed to build something special, laying down a marker and a standard for years to come.
The final, played at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, would see a game of such great intensity, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for every metre.
England ensured that the Kangaroos were forced to defend for their lives in an epic battle between the two nations, before eventually going on to secure their 11th World Cup title.
England fell short 6-0, with the only try being the result of Australia's ability to mount pressure through back-to-back penalties and a goal-line drop-out, with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Michael Morgan combining sweetly to get second rower Boyd Cordner charging over after 14 minutes.
Things could have turned out very different, but a desperate and devastating ankle tap on Kallum Watkins by Josh Dugan was what saved Mal Meninga's side. Watkins had looked all set to score an equalising try 16 minutes from time, but couldn’t quite get there.
The game then went to the final play of the match when England broke the Australian line only to be stopped agonisingly short of what would have been a potential match-saving try.
It was sheer heartbreak losing out to their world rivals. But whilst England may have been the losers, it was a monumental effort by Wayne Bennett's men, and they made their country proud.
Teams:
Australia: Billy Slater, Dane Gagai, Will Chambers, Josh Dugan, Valentine Holmes, Michael Morgan, Cooper Cronk, Aaron Woods, Cameron Smith, David Klemmer, Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire, Subs: Wade Graham, Jordan McLean, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Tyson Frizell
Head coach: Mal Meninga
England: Gareth Widdop, Jermaine McGillvary, Kallum Watkins, John Bateman, Ryan Hall, Kevin Brown, Luke Gale, Chris Hill, James Roby, James Graham, Ben Currie, Elliott Whitehead, Sam Burgess. Subs: Alex Walmsley, Thomas Burgess, Chris Heighington, Jonny Lomax
Head coach: Wayne Bennett
Half time: 6-0
Full time: 6-0
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 40,033
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Sit back and watch the 2017 Final in FULL, as we get ready for the Second ABK Beer Ashes Series Test in Liverpool on Saturday - England's biggest test yet!
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The ABK Beer Ashes Series continues on Saturday 1 November as the Second Test heads to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool (K.O. 2:30pm).
It’s a complete sell-out, and Shaun Wane’s men need you now more than ever as England look to level the series!
The match will also be available to watch live on BBC One, with information on overseas coverage available here.
