Phil Clarke makes it his mission to identify the wider failings behind England's World Cup exit.
Technical flaws hand Australia the edge, says Phil
In an attempt to cheer myself up after the semi-final defeat to New Zealand I went along to watch the latest 007 movie and realised where we've been going wrong. It's fine picking James Roby, James Graham and James Peacock but it's James Bond that we need in the team. He never seems to be on the losing side!
The Rugby League equivalent of 'Groundhog Day' happens every time that we lose to our Southern Hemisphere rivals. The usual questions are asked (for about a week) and the usual replies are given. Here is my summary.
Over the last 27 years I have had most experiences that International Rugby League has to offer. I started as a spectator before becoming a player which morphed into the Manager and has culminated in my position as a commentator. At some time in the future I will return to being a spectator again, at which point the cycle will be complete.
Skill shortage
My summation of this World Cup is that England did not have the technical skills to compete and beat the Australians and New Zealanders. I don't think that there is a massive difference in terms of the physical, mental or tactical capabilities of the three major national squads.
It could be argued that over the last 15 years we put too much focus on our physical preparations in place of our technical ones. It is much easier for a player to go to a weights room and pump some iron than it is to go onto a field and practice passing a ball whilst running at full pace to a moving target (i.e. what a player has to do to score a try at the highest level of the game.)
Much has been said about the difference between the kicking game of the Kangaroos and the Kiwis and that from the England side. That again is a measure of the technical aspect of the game. "What are your skills like?" is the question that is repeatedly asked in international Test matches. Unfortunately we did not have as high a skill level as the two teams that will contest this week's Final.
Wider view
A brief analysis of the reasons why England will not play in this week's World Cup Final would only answer some of the questions that fans ask in these circumstances. We have to take a much wider view to understand and appreciate the jigsaw puzzle which hinders our international chances of success.
Here are some of the problems.
1. The NRL is more intense than the Super League. Its environment breeds faster, more skillful, mentally tougher and more tactically aware players. The pass rate to get in it is very high and the standard to keep your place means that it is a survival of the fittest to stay there.
2. Australia has more than nine times as many people playing Rugby League than we do in the UK. They get to pick their best from a much bigger army of men. New Zealand struggle for numbers but have the advantage of their players playing weekly in the NRL.
3. Australia gets first pick of the best 'athlete' in many towns and cities. Rugby League is the most attractive and trendy sport in many parts of Australia. That is not the case in most places in the UK. The biggest, fastest, strongest and most skillful sportsman often choose to play football, cricket, rugby union or one of several other sports.
4. The Australian culture and climate are a massive advantage. Even in New Zealand, there is a much greater degree of importance given to sport than there is in the UK. All sports are celebrated and
