I have spoken to the players and I have spoken to England coach Tony Smith and they know that an improvement of 50 per cent is needed if they want to get anywhere near Australia.

And if they want to beat them, they need to improve 70 per cent.

They are fully aware of what they have to do and have worked hard in training to achieve that.

They brushed a few cobwebs away against Papua New Guinea, but I think deep down they were a little surprised that the Kumuls came at them so strong. However, the most important thing is that they got the win and got a vital two points on the table.

Aggressive tactics

Australia are going to be very difficult to beat but I feel that England have the forward pack, to not only match them, but to beat them. Our way to success is down the middle.

Pryce: Needs to find form

Players like Keith Senior, Paul Wellens and even Martin Gleeson are not the speediest of three-quarters, especially against the likes of Greg Inglis and Israel Folau, who are probably two of the best centres in the world.

Trying to take them on out wide is going to be a waste of time as far as I am concerned. Running the ball up the middle and showing a lot more aggression is going to be the key for England.

Aggression was sorely lacking in the first game, but it won't be lacking on Sunday. Someone like Adrian Morley is well-known in Australia and they know that he is a rough and tough character.

They will certainly try and rile up the former Sydney Roosters' enforcer and throw him off his game, but he is a different sort of bloke these days and I think he will react in the best possible way. He is more responsible and realises that the team are going to be relying heavily on him.

Jamie Peacock will also want to show exactly why he has been voted the best prop forward in the world two years on the trot. Even the Australians are well aware of what he is capable of

Then you throw in James Roby who was the best player for England against PNG. The Australians have sat up and noticed him too, they have taken to him - and they think he is world class.

The Lockyer factor

Australia's two half-backs are world class too - Jonathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer showed that when they completely overran the kiwis. It is going to be a huge task for the England pairing to rise too and I am a little concerned over that area.

I have no problem with Rob Burrow, in fact I really think he could be one of the stars of this tournament. He needs to be given a little more leeway to play his own natural game, though.

Against Papua New Guinea his role seemed to be that of a first receiver and an administrator, but he is the type of player who likes to play off the cuff. When he does that, he not only poses the questions, but come up with some pretty slick answers too. I think the Australians will fear that.

Will Pryce deliver?

The big question mark for me is can Leon Pryce get back to top-class form? He was disappointing in the Grand Final and he was disappointing against Papua New Guinea.

There is no beating around the bush here, bottom line is he has to perform. If there was a time for him to stand up and be counted it is on Sunday. If he does not match what Lockyer is going to do, then England have no chance.

There is no point in the forwards getting on top of the Australians and laying down the platform if it is going to be wasted. They have to take advantage of the chances they have. Throughout the whole 80 minutes against Australia they may get four or five try-scoring opportunities. If you don't take them, then you are not going to win.

Australia will probably create more opportunities, so for us to be in the mix, we have to make the most of every single opportunity.

back to top