Cameron Smith lauds England’s performance during Gillette Four Nations Campaign
While talking to reporters on Tuesday, November 22, Australian player, Cameron Smith, paid tribute to England’s performances during the Gillette Four Nations campaign.
Although the Englishmen did not win against series’ favourites, Australia, at Elland Road on Saturday, they played really well throughout the campaign. Their final at Leeds was their second meeting against the Aussie opponents and both ended in defeat.
The English squad did well during the tournament. The highlight was their 28-6 win over New Zealand in a sudden death encounter and a spot int he final.
On the other hand, Australia have won their sixth successive win at Elland Roads, which reminded them of a similar win against Englishmen in 2009.
While lauding English side’s overall performance down the run of the campaign, Smith said, "I don't think they're that far off. They played extremely well for the majority of the game. It reminded me a lot of 2009 when England were very good for 50 minutes
and took it to us before we ended up scoring a few late tries which blew the score out a bit. I think they had a stronger squad this year. They showed that at Wembley and tonight it was a close game. If they can just play for the 80 minutes they will be winning
tournaments very soon. Every year they're getting stronger and stronger."
Kangaroos grabbed an early lead into the game with Sam Thaiday’s try. However, their dominance was answered back by English side towards the end of the initial half. The half time score break-up still had Australia in lead with 8-6. The second half of the
game saw England drawing level 8-8 after 55 minutes but this level up did not retain for too long.
After that point onwards, Greg Inglis, Jharal Yow Yeh, Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston went on scoring spree by running in tries, which continued to widen the difference between either sides. Thurston stole the show with his man-of-the-match winning performance,
that saw him booting five goals for his side.
Englishmen displayed a very sloppy performance especially during the second half with no resistance at all.
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