Brits Can Can Snatch Tri-nations, Too, Says Flintoff

Sun Herald

Sunday October 30, 2005

By BRAD WALTER LONDON

ANDREW Flintoff, the star English all-rounder whose heroics in the Ashes series helped end Australia's domination of cricket, says his countrymen are ready to do the same in rugby league.

Flintoff, who will join the England cricket team's tour of Pakistan on Wednesday after delaying his departure last week for business reasons, was in the Kangaroos' hotel when they arrived in London on Friday for the British leg of the Tri-Nations tour.

A keen league fan, Flintoff said he was well aware of Australia's proud record in rugby league but believes the Brits are set to topple them from their mantle as they have in cricket and rugby union.

"We weren't meant to win the Ashes but we did and we're getting closer in rugby league too," he said.

"Australia's got a strong side but you can never underestimate the English."

Having watched the NRL grand final while in Australia for the Super Series, Flintoff said he had been hoping to attend the first Test between the Kangaroos and Great Britain in Wigan next weekend and was disappointed he now could not.

"I used to do a bit of training with Wigan and one of my friends is Steve Hampson, who used to be the Great Britain fullback and played in Australia for Illawarra," he said.

"I've become quite close with Kris Radlinski and a few of the lads [at Wigan] but it's a bit hard to see them play now.

"I saw the Wests Tigers win the grand final it was a really fast game.

"I was hoping to get to some of the Tri-Nations games but I'm going to be in Pakistan now."

The Kangaroos, headed by captain Darren Lockyer, were stunned to see Flintoff in the restaurant of their Kensington hotel as they checked in and his presence was a timely reminder for them of the growing confidence within British sport.

After spending their first day in England sightseeing and resting after their flight, the Australians trained yesterday at Hammersmith.

Prop Steve Price and second-rower Luke O'Donnell had spent more than 30 hours in the air or at airports after travelling from Auckland and Townsville respectively to meet their teammates in Sydney on Thursday.

The Kangaroos will move base to Manchester today and are scheduled to attend Manchester United training tomorrow.

They will step up preparations when coach Wayne Bennett names his side on Tuesday for the clash with Great Britain.

With Andrew Johns ruled out of the tour by a knee injury, most interest will revolve around whether Bennett opts for Scott Prince, Trent Barrett or Craig Gower at halfback.

Prince is the favourite, but Great Britain coach Brian Noble said on Friday he was expecting Gower to get the nod.

"I would think it would be Craig Gower but Scott Prince's form suggests that he deserves a run and he's not unused to playing under Wayne Bennett [at Brisbane before joining Wests Tigers last year] so anything could happen," Noble said.

REMAINING GAMES

October 29: Great Britain v New Zealand, Loftus Rd, London

November 5: Great Britain v Australia, JJB Stadium, Wigan

November 12: Great Britain v New Zealand, Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield

November 19: Great Britain v Australia, KC Stadium, Hull

November 26: Final at Elland Road, Leeds

© 2005 Sun Herald

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