Features

France enter Four Nations

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 22/10/2009
Rugby League betting

World champions New Zealand face a struggle to retain that tag in the inaugural Four Nations tournament which begins in Doncaster this week.

The Kiwis were surprise winners of the 2008 World Cup, beating overwhelming favourites Australia 34-20 last November.

In one of the biggest upsets in the sport's recent history the Kangaroos, who had earlier hammered New Zealand 30-6 and England 52-4, collapsed after leading 10-0 and saw their great rivals pinch the silver trophy.

That defeat will no doubt weigh heavily on the minds of the sportsbook favourites Australia as they enter a tournament which is, de facto, a battle to become the best Rugby League nation.

Can Australia clinch Four Nations glory? - Latest Rugby League Betting

Although the World Cup features ten countries, the strength of the big three is such that, despite Great Britain splitting last year, they are never threatened on the pitch.

That understanding is written, somewhat controversially, into the fabric of the World Cup where the big three are almost automatically through to the semi-finals while the other seven fight for the fourth birth - claimed by an improving Fiji side in 2008.

With that being the case, the Four Nations is recognised as an elite international rugby league event. Although this is the first time the tournament has been held, it's predecessor - the Tri-nations - had been held four time before, in 1999 then consecutively from 2004-06.

Only once did it not result in an Australia-New Zealand final, when Great Britain lost 44-4 to the Kangaroos in 2004, and only once have the Aussies not won, when they suffered a 24-0 beating in 2005.

That dominance is not likely to be effected by the introduction of France.

Les Tricolores, much to their embarrassment, finished bottom of their World Cup group and are ranked fifth in the World, behind Fiji.

Despite being unlikely to trouble the big three, their acceptance into the Four Nations is more a reflection of their improvement in the last decade and the development of their Super League team, Catalans Dragons.

The faith shown in them by the RLIF, who will have been tempted to pick Fiji, could galvanise the French into at least giving the big three a scare.

The reliance on players from the Dragons is heavy, with 15 out of 23 players in their Four Nations squad playing for Catalans. This could work to their advantage, with the players already having formed a relationship, while the other countries have to mix the stars of their national league together.

For England, a set of improved performances is the target after a shocking set of games in the World Cup, where they won only once - a tight 32-22 victory over minnows Papua New Guinea.

The signs were not good in last Saturday's warm up friendly with Wales, which they won 48-12 after falling behind early on. A hat-trick from Sam Tomkins could earn the 20-year-old a start against France on Friday, although he was given his debut only because of the decision to rest all Leeds and St Helens players.

New Zealand also warmed up with victory, a 40-26 win over Tonga, while the Australian's preparations have been limited to training, much to the annoyance of coach Tim Sheens.

Despite a quiet build-up, the Aussies are deserving favourites having beaten New Zealand in their last competitive match, 38-10 back in May.

BET NOW