The first rugby league Ashes series in 22 years concludes in the pure heartlands of the sport on Saturday when the two rivals England and Australia head to Headingley for the third and final match of the historic schedule.
Australia have already won the series but these two nations don’t like each other in anything involving sport so it would be daft to think that this is a dead rubber. Expect another physical battle to round off the series.
Where to watch
The match will be shown live and in full on the BBC One channel with the build-up to the closer beginning at 2pm ahead of the kick off in Leeds which is at 2.30pm.
England
After a really disappointing showing in the opening game where the extended build-up to the series seemed to get the better of them, it was a much better display from England in Liverpool last week but just like at Wembley they came out dry and the series has gone as a result. They certainly won’t want to be beaten 3-0 in the series so there is pride to play for but these two sides could meet again down the line and it is important for England to show that they can be competitive.
The one thing which might well have disappointed England in the second game was they just couldn’t penetrate the Australian defence often enough and as a result went without a try. They have only scored one try in the series so far so building pressure and then creating a killer opening will be very much in their remit in this final game. In the main their defence has stood up pretty well to a vibrant attack but with little in the way of firepower to fight with themselves it was always an uphill battle.
Australia
I think most judges would have expected Australia to win the series and they have achieved that primary aim at the earliest opportunity and now they go in search of the cherry on the cake in terms of a victory and a 3-0 success. They will be warm favourites to achieve that and if they can depart these shores having not lost then that will represent a job very well done for the Kangaroos. If that is to happen then they will need to avoid complacency setting in, although given how infrequently international rugby league is played you would imagine they will be fine on that score.
The crazy thing given how relatively little rugby this squad has played with other is how strong they have been defensively. To travel across the other side of the world, play two competitive matches against a dangerous team on paper and concede just one try in total is a phenomenal effort and they will be eyeing up another strong showing defensively here. There is no competitive pressure on them so we might see them give the ball a bit of air and look to really rub the English noses in it.
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Team News
England boss Shaun Wane will be forced into at least one change with winger Dom Young out of the finale with a broken foot. Joe Burgess has been confirmed as his replacement. His Hull KR teammate Mikey Lewis will be hoping for a recall to the starting XIII.
Australia have already confirmed their starting team for this match and they have made one change with their skipper Isaah Yeo coming back in with Lindsay Collins reverting back to the bench. It means that the tourists have the same side that they did in game one.
Betting
England will be looking to improve once again and really push Australia here. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens as they will be keen to avoid a 3-0 defeat and therefore handicaps around the 16 point mark are tempting but I also have the feeling that with the series in the bag Australia might look to push the turbo button here and give England all that they have got and if they do that then they could quickly start causing some carnage.
I’m torn between two minds there but if the hunch that Australia will let it all go here is true then you would think that Reece Walsh is going to be a danger man for the Kangaroos. He scored a brace in the opening match of the series and never needs a second invitation to join in the attacking line. He can score from deep or he can do it via his support play so I’m a little surprised that he is odds against to cross the try line in this one. He possesses so much danger that him to score anytime looks a fair play.
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