Rob Burrow knows all about Rugby League World Cup semi-final heart ache.
The Leeds Rhinos legend kicked three goals in England’s 2008 semi-final defeat in Brisbane against New Zealand but things only got worse for him and England in 2013.
At Wembley, England led 14-12 thanks to a superb Sam Burgess try created by Kevin Sinfield only for a late Shaun Johnson score to snatch the game away from England.
Yesterday was similar agony for England. Again in London nearly a decade on from that defeat, it was a Golden Point drop goal from Stephen Crichton that ended England’s campaign in 2022.
However, unlike in 2013 where England may have been described at unlucky, for the most part England only had themselves to blame.
By coach Shaun Wane’s own admission they weren’t good enough and were below the standards they set themselves all tournament.
The first half was a long way off the first 40 against Papua New Guinea last week whilst errors in Golden point cost England a place in the final.
Burrow himself has had his say on the defeat taking to Twitter to say England played their worst in Golden point: “Gutted is a understatement. They played their worst rugby of tournament in golden point.”
Gutted is a understatement. They played their worst rugby of tournament in golden point.
— Rob Burrow CBE (@Rob7Burrow) November 12, 2022
It’s an even bigger shame as Sinfield is set to complete his latest fundraising challenge in the name of Burrow who continues to battle Motor Neurone Disease halfway through the final arriving at Old Trafford next Saturday. Sadly England won’t be there to greet him.
