Sheens: Experience is key

Aussie coach insists his side are better prepared for the big games

Last updated: 13th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sheens: Experience is key

Sheens: Confident

If there is a need to draw on any experience, our guys can play at that level and they will need to in order to beat a much-improved England side.

Tim Sheens
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Australia coach Tim Sheens insists his side have the greater experience to come out on top of Saturday's Gillette Four Nations final against England.

Sheens believes that the State of Origin competition between Queensland and New South Wales means that his players are better prepared for the big occasions.

And although England beat World Cup holders New Zealand and staged a second-half comeback against the Kangaroos, Sheens is confident his side will last the pace at Elland Road.

"Most of them have played State of Origin," he said. "They know what it's like in a very tough series to keep playing for 80 minutes.

"Queensland and New South Wales have both won and lost games in the last five minutes. It will be an 80-minute effort from both sides, there's no doubt about that.

"It doesn't matter whether there's two points or 20 in it, no one is going to stop playing, there's too much pride in both groups for that.

Tough

"So it will be a very intense game and, if there is a need to draw on any experience, our guys can play at that level and they will need to in order to beat a much-improved England side."

England booked their place in the showpiece final with victory over New Zealand - a win that clearly impressed Sheens.

"I made a big point to the players at training yesterday how they put us on notice," Sheens said. "I think it was the best game of the tournament.

"I thought England started strong and finished strong. I didn't see a weakness in their game.

"They gave up a try on their right edge but then they fixed it. It is going to be a tough game."

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