By PETER ROWE
A fit and very professional English Lions squad are over their jet lag and ready for whatever Western Australia throws at them on Saturday as the tourists open their three match trip with a game against a Chairman’s XIII at Charles Riley Reserve, kickoff 3.30pm.
And while some see this as a warmup game, before two Cash Converters Community Trophy Tests against a full WA State team, coach Paul Couch has other ideas.
“We’ve done our homework and I think they will want to win as much as we do,” he said.
“It will be a physical battle, but one we are more than prepared for.”
With the weather cooler and to the Brit’s liking, Couch and his captain Chris Siddons – both from the rugby league-mad town of Castleford in Yorkshire – have been pleased at the way their squad has settled into the pace of life this side of the world.
“It’s been really good, Perth is such a lovely place and we are staying at Scarborough with its great beach – everything is relaxed and we want the players to enjoy it but of course we want three victories,” he said.
Couch has picked his starting 13 and will announce it on Friday, believing he has a good enough squad to match whatever the Black and Golds can conjure up.
“We are not taking this opening game lightly,” he said. “It will be tough, WA look a big and fast side so we have to be ready for that.
“Of course it will be a home crowd behind them so we know it will be a big ask.”
The squad was put through its paces at the Captain’s run on Thursday morning with Siddons calling the shots and telling NRLWA media he was really looking forward to the challenge.
“We’ve watched video from the State Championships recently (CAS) and I think we are probably on the same level as WA,” he said.
“You like to play football fast, so we will be ready for that and if it then switches to a battle up the middle, then we’re prepared for that as well.
A video session dissected WA’s performance in Victoria with coaching staff highlighting key areas to both attack and defend.
“We will play to our strengths – but we are aware of theirs as well,” Couch said.
“The NCL (National Conference League) is a good competition in England, probably on a par with your competition, so we have worked hard to bring them all together. It’s come together nicely, they look like a team that’s been together a long time.”
And what to expect?
“Physical,” was the immediate response. “That’s what we’re expecting. We’ve trained on the field. The ground is softer than I expected. So bring it on.”
Captain Chris Siddons, a red head forward, has played the game since he was five and is relishing the opportunity.
“To come over and play against the Aussies is a dream come true,” he said. “I’m loving it here.
“We’ve come together really well, from so many clubs and bonded – so it’s going to be a big test.
“Six months ago we were taking each other’s heads off in our comp, now we’re the best of mates.”
The players have taken to the conditions, the soft field will suit them and it’s more like English weather right now.
‘Yeah, you can see from the body language out there, we’re ready to play,” Siddons added, with smile that said he certainly was.
WA coach John Hough is no stranger to rep footy – 30 years ago he played in England against a touring Kiwi junior team.
“It’s a unique opportunity for us to play against a touring team,” Hough said. “These sorts of games don’t come along very often.
“And it also offers some the chance to show what they can do and get a spot in the full State side.”
The former Super League player, who has been a WA resident for 13 years, still has connections back in the old country and has used them to get tips on who to look out for and what to expect from the game.
“The standards between the two competitions are very similar so I believe it will be a very close game – too close to call,” he added.
And with only a short lead-in to prepare, what sort of game can we expect from the home side?
“Look,” Hough said. “All these boys know how to play, so it’s going to be hard, aggressive and keep it simple.
“Good sets and defend well and we will be right.”
WA Chairman’s XIII
1. Logan Barclay (Rockingham Sharks), 2. Kaelin Heremaia-Phillips (Fremantle Roosters), 3. Gethin Thomas Fremantle Roosters), 4. Roydon Gillett (North Beach Sea Eagles), 5. Te Toa Parkinson (Fremantle Roosters), 6. Robbie Smith (Willagee Bears), 7. Rangitukia Teirney (Fremantle Roosters), 8. Tom Fry (North Beach Sea Eagles), 9. Jarrad Smith (South Perth Lions), 10. Ben Solomona (Kalamunda Bulldogs), 11. Brandon White (Rockingham Sharks), 12. Joel Irvine (Joondalup Giants). 13. Keelyn Tuuta-Edwards (Rockingham Sharks). Interchange: Davey Martin (Alkimos Tigers), Bowman Stein (North Beach Sea Eagles), Jack Bullard (Joondalup Giants), Czebalos Smiler (Alkimos Tigers), Austin Cameron (Fremantle Roosters), Luke Turner (Alkimos Tigers), Jack Rolle (Ellenbrook Rabbitohs).