Four Nations preview.

Twelve months after the World Cup, the biggest names in Rugby League arrive in the UK and France for the start of a rebuilding process for International Rugby League.

If the international game and the RLIF learnt anything from last year's World Cup, its that there is still a hunger for international Rugby League, especially across both Europe and the Pacific.

So with that in mind, France have join England/Great Britain, Australia, and world champions New Zealand in the inaugural Four Nations after the Tri-Nations became an annual success.

With the first game only two days away when England host France at the Keepmoat Stadium, A Tap on the Twenty presents a quick preview focusing on all four teams.

Australia
Despite no longer being world champions after 33 years, Australia will be all out for revenge in order to avenge their 2008 World Cup final defeat to New Zealand when Ricky Stuart's side lost 34-20 in Brisbane. The noise coming out of the Aussie's camp seems to one of vengeance. They want to keep hold of the trophy they won under the Tri-Nations banner when they defeated New Zealand in extra time during the 2006 Tri-Nations final in Sydney. As a result, the bookies only have them at 1/4 to win the tournament.

Despite making one of the biggest errors in World Cup history, Billy Slater is no less of a threat. He will not be looking back that that pass to Benji Marshall that gifted New Zealand a try in the final minutes of the game. He will go about his business as usual like he has done all year for Melbourne.
New to English fan's ear, Jarryd Hayne has been in fascinating form with Parramatta winning the Dally M medal on the back of several perfect performances. As usual, Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston all strike fear into English fan's hearts when they have possession with the ball.

Prediction - Group & final winners.


England
Its all change for 2009, and with it comes what could easily be described as fresh meat for our antipodean cousins. Names such as Burrow, Pryce, Senior and Wellens are no more. They are replaced with Tomkins, Eastmond, Hall and Briscoe. Of course, a few names remain in Peacock, Morley and Ellis. But like last year, England's strength came in the forwards who worked exceptionally hard down under 12 months ago, but were let down by the halfs and three-quarters.

Jamie Peacock will lead the side from example again, with Adrian Morley being the other experienced prop forward who will continue to mentor James Graham and the Souths-bound Sam Burgess. Looking at Tony Smith's 24-man squad, the three-quarters pick themselves with Smith, Shenton, Hall and the young Tom Briscoe replacing the injured Sean O'Loughlin. The Headache for Smith must lie in the half backs, with potentially five players to pick from McGuire, Eastmond, Thomkins, Myler and Bridge. For me, the answer lies in McGuire at stand off and Tomkins at scrum half. Eastmond doesn't possess the creative flair to penetrate the Kiwis or Kangaroo defence, while his kicking game is one of the worst I have seen in a Saints shirt for some time. Myler is lacking of match fitness having only played one game against Wales since July, while Bridge can play at stand off or scrum half, he hasn't done so since Tony Smith took over Warrington in March.

Prediction - 3rd in group.


France
Adrian Lam and Papua New Guinea will have sympathy for the French, as the Kumuls were in a similar situation last year and certainly made their mark despite not winning a game. While the 'guinea pigs' are now coached by Bobbie Goulding, his presence and knowledge should provide the same attitude and passion Adrian Lam installed into Papua New Guinea. They still have some excellent individuals, but its only individuals. Thomas Bosc is the stand out Frenchman, while Australian-born Clint Greenshields and James Wynne both qualify for France under the residency rule, (a rule A Tap on the Twenty will assess at a later date.)

Elsewhere France hold Jean-Philippe Baile, Oliver Elima and Jamel Fakir and a large proportion of the Catalan squad that made the semi-final qualifiers losing to Leeds with dignity at Headingley.

I fear if England take this team too lightly, there could be a massive upset on the first day of the competition.

Prediction - 4th in group.


New Zealand
World champions New Zealand will be looking to progress after their famous win against their Tasman rivals by clinching the Four Nations tournament away from them as well. They certinaly possess the squad capable of achieveing such a feat. Their squad is littered with big names in the NRL that have brought plenty of talent to the domestic competition. Wests star, Benji Marshall will lead from behind the pack once again, while World Cup winning captain resumes his role.

Leeds-bound Greg Eastwood will add size and power to an already dominant pack, while Kristan Inu adds flair to the back line. Melbourne power-house Jeff Lima will make the front row indestructable with littel Issac Luke frigtening off opponents with is passionate rendition of the hakka in the hooking role.

Theres plenty of talent in this New Zealand side, because I haven't even mentioned Fuifui Moimoi yet. But I fear they may just finish short.

Prediction - Group runners up & losing finalists.