Gareth Ellis is adamant that England will put last year's mauling by Australia behind them for their upcoming repeat clash in Wigan.
Second rower insists England will ignore past history
Gareth Ellis is adamant that England will put last year's 52-4 mauling by Australia behind them for their upcoming repeat clash in Wigan.
The former Leeds second rower insists that the 2008 World Cup humiliation will not be a motivating factor in England's Gillette Four Nations clash against the Kangaroos at the DW Stadium.
A year on from the nine-try rout, 28-year-old Ellis feels there is a more optimistic mood in the England camp and although the squad has a familiar look, coach Tony Smith is set to field a completely different back division when he announces his team later this week.
"It's a different team, a new team," said Ellis, who joined NRL club Wests Tigers for the 2009 season.
"All the lads that are involved now are really excited about it and for some players it will be the first time they have played against Australia.
"It's going to be a massive game with a lot at stake. I think Australia will be better for their game against New Zealand but I also think we'll be better for our game against France."
Inspiration
One of just eight survivors from England's thrashing in Melbourne is St Helens hooker James Roby, who is refusing to dwell on the defeat and is instead drawing inspiration from Great Britain's 23-12 win over Australia in Sydney three years ago during the last Tri-Nations.
"No one has really spoken about last year," he said.
"I was lucky enough to play in the game in 2006 when we beat Australia in Australia and that was a brilliant feeling and a brilliant day.
"It gives you so much confidence as a player that you've been over there and turned them over.
"Hopefully this Saturday we can do that again and it would be a massive personal achievement and a little birthday present for my son whose birthday is on Saturday."
