Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has called for a major change in mentality for England ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, stating that Australia were “average” throughout the Ashes whilst suggesting it had overhyped what England’s opponents would bring.
Following a 3-0 whitewash against the Kangaroos, the post-series diagnosis has begun and there has been plenty of talk about whether England genuinely believed they could beat Australia.
Pundit Kevin Brown has previously argued that he felt there was a lack of true belief and skipper George Williams spoke after Saturday’s 30-8 loss at Headingley, insisting that England felt they could come away from the series with something.
Reacting to that, Sam Burgess said: “I did listen to George and I believed him when he said we thought we could do something. But before the Ashes, there was a lot of talk about they are the best, we’re coming up against the best.
“We must be careful I think going into the World Cup, talking about all the teams that are coming up against and them being better than us.”
In Burgess’ eyes, the focus should have been on what England would take to Australia as opposed to what Australia would bring to England and the Wire head coach outlined how he’d be going into the 2026 World Cup.
He argued: “I think we should go in and go, ‘we’re England, this is who we are, and this is what we stand for, this is how we’re going to play’.
“I think as the series wore on, we saw a little bit more of that, but just for not long enough.”
Sam Burgess labels Australia as “average” despite Ashes whitewash
One of the major reasons that he outlined that was the fact that Australia were there for the taking in this Ashes series with the Kangaroos never getting close to the imperious best that had been expected of them.
Despite winning all three Tests and only conceding two tries, Australia were not anywhere close to their best and in the eyes of Sam Burgess, they were average.
He argued: “Australia, I thought, were average throughout the series. Over the period of three games, they’ve not been the Australia that we’ve known and played against.
“I can’t remember playing against Australia completing lower than 80-85%. I think we saw a scratchy Australia as well. I don’t think they were anywhere near their best as well.
“England are also in that category as well so both will take plenty of this going into the World Cup.”
Throughout the three Tests, Australia completed at just 67%, whilst England fared only slightly better at 76%.
The question now remains over who it will be that takes England into that World Cup with fans calling for Shaun Wane to depart, whilst Wane has strongly stated that he is the man to lead England.
Sam Burgess has been suggested as one of those who could replace the former Wigan man if a change does happen.
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