Sculthorpe - Strong start needed

Sculthorpe: Strong start

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Paul Sculthorpe has stressed the need for England to make a flying start to their World Cup campaign against Papua New Guinea in Australia on Saturday.

Tony Smith's side meet their first Group A opponents in Townsville ahead of much tougher contests against Australia and New Zealand.

The Australia match will certainly provide an insight into England's potential, the host nation starting as strong favourites to win the competition for a seventh successive time.

But, according to former Great Britain and St Helens captain Sculthorpe, a good performance against the relative minnows of Papua New Guinea would inspire confidence in the England camp and help boost the prospect of a shock result further down the line.

"You've got to say the Australians are the favourites for the World Cup and I think they've got an outstanding team out as well," said Sculthorpe, who retired from the game in September.

"They've been lucky really with injuries and they've got a lot of their top players available. So, you've got to say they are favourites, but the World Cup is cup rugby and it's all about on the day.

"If England play to their potential and everyone stays healthy then they've certainly got a good chance of beating Australia.

"The Papua New Guinea match is a must-win game for England. It's a perfect opportunity for England to send out a message.

"Obviously, there are two tough games against New Zealand and Australia after that and England have got to go into them off the back of a good performance and a good win against PNG.

"It's important that England really perform and start their World Cup campaign well."

Complacent

Sculthorpe also said that, with the likes of Salford's John Wilshere and Hull KR duo Makali Aizue and Stanley Gene among the opposition, England should avoid complacency.

"PNG are going to be no mugs, they are not going to be a pushover," he continued. "I made my Great Britain debut against PNG in 1996 and it was one of the toughest games I've played in.

"They are a very, very physical side and it's important that England take full advantage of their skilful players and use their experience to overcome that.

"They've got three Super League-based players in the PNG squad in Makali Aizue, Stanley Gene and John Wilshere, and I think that trio will be looking to lead the way for them with their experience of playing in England."

Sculthorpe tipped former Saints team-mate Leon Pryce as 'one to watch' during the tournament, alongside Wigan second row forward Gareth Hock and Leeds scrum-half Rob Burrow.

"I think if Leon gets to play the way he has played for St Helens and really takes on the opposition he could be a stand-out performer in the World Cup," he added.

"I think Gareth Hock is also going to be looking for a big World Cup. He had a good end to the Super League season and he will be really looking to impress. He's got a lot of presence and a lot of skill and if Hock is on form I think England could reap the rewards from that.

"Obviously, Leon is going to be a key figure as well, as is Rob Burrow. I think there is a lot of pressure on Rob to perform and he's a quality player and a tough guy as well.

"He might only be small but he puts everything into the games and he'll not shy away."