Kear confident of beating Kiwis
ENGLAND
Runners-up to Australia at Wembley in 1995, England will have done well if they make the final this time around.
John Kear's squad have been severely weakened by a combination of withdrawals, players opting to turn out for the other home nations and of course, the usual bout of injuries.
That said Kear is bullish about his side's chances, and having guided Sheffield Eagles to perhaps the greatest upset in Rugby League history when beating Wigan in the 1998 Challenge Cup final, Kear knows all about upsetting the odds.
In any event, to completely write England off would be foolish in the extreme - they will enjoy home advantage throughout the tournament and their squad is peppered with some of the domestic game's brightest stars.
In Andy Farrell, Sean Long and powerhouse second-row Adrian Morley, England possess three world-class performers capable of turning any game.
And with young guns Paul Sculthorpe, Kevin Sinfield and Leon Pryce eager to show the Aussies they can mix it with the best, the home side certainly have it in them to spoil any Antipodean party and prevent the anticipated Australia-New Zealand final.
Much will depend on the crucial tournament opener against the highly-fancied Aussies at Twickenham.
Lose heavily to Chris Anderson's team and the clouds of doom hanging over Kear's men may be impossible to shift.
But push the Kangaroos close - or heaven forbid, sneak a famous win - and the whole country may get behind the team as they bid to cause the sporting upset of the year.
Whatever happens one thing is certain - when Kear sends his lions into battle, you can be sure they will give it everything humanly possible to bring the cup back to these shores.