Richie Barnett: English won't last the distance

Stephen Kearney's gameplan is not flashy but effective - just like his team. Photo / Richard Robinson

Opinion

I can't remember ever being this excited about the Kiwis.

In the past there have been plenty of times when you've thought they had a chance; that they might just pull off something special. This is different. Now there is a real belief.

With this Kiwis side, there is just so much reason to feel encouraged. They aren't chock full of superstars, but from the administration to the coach and down to the players they are so, so solid.

The Sparc review was the best thing to have ever happened to the game in this country. The governance is now strong and, when you get your governance right, success tends to follow.

Steve Kearney is a coach who knows exactly what he is doing. Schooled in Melbourne, he brings a simple, clear gameplan to the side. It's not flashy but it's effective, just like his team.

By naming Greg Eastwood and Adam Blair at prop, Kearney has clearly gone away from the larger blokes. Eastwood and Blair aren't huge, but they are decent-sized players. And they are mobile.

They can get in between players, push through the middle and offload. Lock Jeremy Smith is the same type of player. He's not that big or flashy but when have you ever seen Smith take a backward step?

Then on the fringes you have Simon Mannering and the machine that is Bronson Harrison running hard and straight and doing the damage. It's an awesome pack.

The core players have clearly defined roles. Their job isn't to be too flashy, just execute their roles and leave it up to Benji and Nathan Fien to come up with the plays on the fringes.

I was surprised Issac Luke wasn't named to start but, then again, what an asset he will be coming off the bench as the English forwards tire. That's the big question I have of the English side.

They have plenty of very good players but can they go the full 80 minutes? You take one look at the Kiwis side and you just know that every one of them will go the distance. They are so professional, so well drilled. That certainly hasn't been the case.

You can't underestimate any side that contains the likes of Gareth Ellis, Sam Burgess, Sean O'Loughlin and Sam Tomkins, but the NRL is just so much faster than Super League.

I really don't think all of the English players will be able to last the distance.

They are going to be truly tested by one of the best Kiwis sides we have seen. The English are going to be under the pump - and I don't know if they will be able to handle it.

England's best hope would seem to be their size advantage. If they can stay with the Kiwis then it might just prove the difference, but I wouldn't bet on it.

I truly believe this is the first time in ages you can say with confidence that the Kiwis can win this tournament - not that they might win it.

The game in this country is going in the right direction at last and it is great to see.

These are very, very exciting times indeed.