Great Britain legend Martin Offiah believes that Australia are “there for the taking” this weekend, as England gear up to knock them out of the Four Nations with a win this Sunday.
Should Steve McNamara’s team get the job done in Melbourne, it will be the first time since 1954 that the Australians have failed to make a major final – with England guaranteeing their spot in the Four Nations final with a victory, too.
And Offiah insists that the Aussies are vulnerable after last weekend’s heavy defeat against New Zealand, saying all the pressure is on them going into the match.
“Steve McNamara’s team will go into Sunday’s game with a bit more confidence I believe. I thought they were pretty good against Samoa,” Offiah told the YEP.
“This Australian team are there for the taking. I don’t know the last time they last lost back-to-back Test matches against different nations but I think the last time they failed to appear in a final was back in the fifties so there is a lot of pressure on Australia. I’m sure that the press are making them well aware of the fact they need to beat England.
“They lost quite handsomely to New Zealand, who played fantastically well,” he said. “Admittedly, there were about 11 changes from the team that won the Anzac Test so they’re doing it a little bit tough.”