Last updated: 13th November 2008
Lockyer: England backing
I think with their best players playing in the same positions for 80 minutes, I think they might be a little bit harder to beat.
Darren Lockyer
Quotes of the week
Australian captain Darren Lockyer offered his backing to England's embattled World Cup squad, claiming that they are still a threat in the tournament despite their abject failure so far.
Tony Smith's England side have struggled throughout the competition in Australia, with a slender win over papa New Guinea followed by a mauling by the Kangaroos and sickening loss against New Zealand.
Although England have now been thoroughly written off in the tournament, Lockyer insists they could still be a threat.
England take on New Zealand on Saturday in the semi-finals, with Australia tackling Fiji on Sunday, and Lockyer has warned the Kiwis not to underestimate the English.
"There's a lot of talk about the way England faded last week but their start was great and they've got a couple of guys that they rested," Lockyer said.
"They'll be back.
"I do think the coach of England played around with some positions in the second half and they looked a bit unsettled.
"I don't think it was a great indication of where England's at.
"I think with their best players playing in the same positions for 80 minutes, I think they might be a little bit harder to beat."
Lockyer also backed the World Cup system, which enabled England to make the semi-finals despite losing two of their three group games.
"Going into the tournament, I think the top three nations deserved to have a few privileges," he said.
"I think it's been great, these other pools, where they've been very competitive and someone like Fiji has had a chance. They're in a semi-final and a chance of being in the final of the World Cup.
"I think that's great for rugby league and Fiji.
"England have been in the top three for a long time now so they deserve (to be) where they are at the moment."
Lockyer is expected to be one of the top Australian stars targeted by Super League clubs, with representatives travelling Down Under for the World Cup finale.
With a reduction in overseas players coming in, Super League clubs are aiming higher in their bids to sign players from the NRL.
Lockyer is thought to be a target for Wigan, while Brisbane full-back Karmichael Hunt and Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah are also in line for big-money offers.
Player agent David Riolo confirmed the British interest in Australia's top talent.
"I've had four or five meetings and they definitely seemed to have turned their attention to quality," Riolo told the Sydney Telegraph.
"The names mentioned to me were top players like Lockyer, (Johnathan) Thurston, (Scott) Prince and Hunt.
"They are looking to go bigger than ever because of the reduced quotas for Australian players.
"If every UK club does that, then it's a dangerous thing for the NRL."

Pictures from Rhinos' victory over Tony Smith's Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Pictures from the World Club Challenge final between Leeds and Manly at Elland Road.
Pictures from Friday night's match where Giants claimed their first league win at Bulls for 40 years.
Pictures from Headingley Carnegie where Leeds and Celtic Crusaders kicked off the new season.
Pictures from Rhinos' victory over Tony Smith's Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Engage Super League | |
| Saturday 4th July | |
| 17:00 | Hull vs Leeds |
| 18:00 | Celtic Crusaders vs Warrington |
| 20:00 | Catalans Dragons vs Hull K R |
| Sunday 5th July | |
| 15:00 | Bradford vs Castleford |
| 15:00 | Huddersfield vs Wakefield |
| Friday 10th July | |
| 20:00 | Wigan vs Catalans Dragons |
| 20:00 | Wakefield vs Leeds |
| Saturday 11th July | |
| 15:00 | Harlequins RL vs Huddersfield |
| 18:00 | Celtic Crusaders vs Salford |
| Sunday 12th July | |
| 15:00 | Hull K R vs Bradford |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Engage Super League | |
| Friday 3rd July | |
| Salford 20 - 10 St Helens | |
| Wigan 40 - 12 Harlequins RL | |
| Sunday 28th June | |
| Hull K R 28 - 36 Wigan | |
| Wakefield 20 - 18 Harlequins RL | |
| Warrington 24 - 12 Hull | |
| Saturday 27th June | |
| Castleford 20 - 22 Catalans Dragons | |
| Friday 26th June | |
| Leeds 33 - 20 Bradford | |
| Salford 10 - 34 Huddersfield | |
| St Helens 30 - 0 Celtic Crusaders | |
| Sunday 21st June | |
| Bradford 18 - 44 St Helens | |
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Sean Long will be absent for around two months after it was confirmed he suffered a broken jaw in St Helens' 20-10 defeat at Salford
Sydney Roosters forward Mark O'Meley has agreed a three-year deal to become Hull's fourth signing for 2010.
Hull FC coach Richard Agar has been forced to make two changes to his squad for Saturday.
Dane Carlaw has been ruled out of Catalans Dragons' clash at home to Hull KR on Saturday.
Celtic Crusaders forward Darren Mapp has been ruled out for the season after having an operation to repair a torn pectoral muscle.