Peacock: World Cup win is "attainable goal"
Peacock believes Australia's period of domination could be coming to an end
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Monday, 20, Oct 2008 08:44
England captain Jamie Peacock believes that England can go all the way and win the Rugby League World Cup in Australia.
England take on Papua New Guinea in their opening game of the tournament on Saturday, and the 30-year-old Leeds Rhinos forward says the squad is full of confidence.
"I've been thinking about it a lot since last year," he said.
"I have a good feeling about England and Super League and about the impact we can make on the competition.
"It's an attainable goal, whereas before we were perhaps just happy to perform well.
"We're very confident. We could have done with more time as a squad but it's not to be.
"We've been building confidence and momentum with the Kiwis wins and the performance against France."
Peacock wasn't born when Great Britain last lifted the trophy in 1972, but he believes the tide is beginning to turn after three decades of domination by Australia and that England now possess a squad capable of taking advantage.
"I think it's a fantastic squad," he said.
"We've got strength all over, a good blend between experience and youth and enthusiasm, all the things which make rugby league teams great.
"If you look at most good teams, they generally revolve around that. You need to be physical up front and have some size but you also need to have the ability to finish and that generally comes with pace.
"It's a good template for a winning team and a lot of the players are in the prime of their careers."