England hooker Brad O'Neill believes there are plenty of positives to build on from the defeat to Tonga as England prepare for a must-win clash against familiar foes France at the Rugby League World Cup on Saturday.
Despite opening their campaign with a loss, O'Neill is confident England are moving in the right direction and insists belief within the camp remains high ahead of their second group fixture:
“The main takeaway was I thought it was a step in the right direction for us as a team. Despite the result, I feel like the way that we wanted to play was on show. There was just maybe a bit of lack of execution, and credit to Tonga's defence as well.
“They came up with some great defensive displays. But I felt like the way we wanted to play was shown and we've just got to keep working on that.
“Our combinations are still being worked on. The longer we get together, the more we get used to each other.
“Those little things and should be able to come together in the games and we should start executing with obviously the more practice that we've got together.
“There is a real belief in our team.”
O'Neill was at the heart of a fiercely contested encounter against Tonga and relished the opportunity to test himself against on the big stage:
“I feel like the game was very intense and very quick. There were some big collisions as well, so it was exciting to play in, but was very tough physically as well.
“We played against some of the best players in the world in Tonga. Everything was on the line. The atmosphere was really good from both sides as well.”
With England now needing a convincing result to boost their chances of progressing, head coach Brian McDermott has kept faith by naming an unchanged squad.
O'Neill says the players understand what is required but remain focused on taking the tournament one game at a time:
“I feel like we have discussed what is required, but at the same time we are still taking it day by day and game by game. We know that we’re going to have to play really well in these next two games to qualify, but I'm very confident in the lads in this team that we can do it.”
France will provide another test for England, but O'Neill believes the familiarity many of the squad have with French-based Super League players will help as they prepare for the challenge:
“I feel like we play France in Super League, obviously with Catalans and Toulouse, pretty regularly. So, there will be some familiar faces who we're facing, but we’re expecting a great game on the weekend.
“France have come off a loss like us as well, so they're going to come firing and I'm expecting a good game on the weekend.
“I don't think we'll be overlooking any France players - they're a very tough and skilful team.”
While the significance of the fixture may be in the back of some minds, O'Neill insists England's focus remains firmly on delivering an improved performance and respecting their opponents:
“We've got to go into this game hard nose like we did against Tonga. And hopefully if we do our job well enough, then we're going to get the win.
“But first of all, we've just got to think about our preparations and getting that right and treating France with the same respect as well.”
The disappointment of the opening round defeat was clear throughout the camp, but O'Neill says the group have rallied together and are determined to put things right:
“It was very disappointing. Losing to anybody for players like ourselves in this camp is tough.
“The mood was as you can expect after losing a game of such magnitude. But the boys have got around each other.
“We know what we need to do to continue in the tournament and we're going to put our best foot forward.”
England now head into a crucial clash knowing victory is essential, and O'Neill is backing his side to respond as they look to keep their World Cup ambitions alive.
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