Rugby League Ashes 2025: Fortune favors the brave as England must seize their golden opportunity at Wembley, says Brian Carney | Rugby League News

Every time I think about facing the kangaroos, I am drawn to the words of Mark Twain. “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” And if there is ever a day when England can beat the Kangaroos, this is it.

Australia arrive at Wembley without James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Payne Haas, Zac Lomax or Xavier Coates – all among the best rugby players on the planet.

Due to injuries, dropouts and changes in allegiance, the Kangaroos are without a number of star names.

In contrast, England – who historically enter the international season down in terms of numbers due to a longer season – are only missing Matty Ashton and Victor Radley. It’s a far cry from the 2017 World Cup final, where they were missing key players such as Josh Hodgson and Sean O’Loughlin and paid the price in a tense 0-6 battle.

Tomorrow they will enter Wembley in force, in front of a record Test crowd. Sure, there are Australian stars like Nathan Cleary, but the supporting cast shouldn’t scare England away.

England have made much of the club atmosphere in their camp and during their time together over the past three years. Shaun Wane has stuck with the players he trusts. If that’s the case, then the combinations and fluidity should immediately be on point against a team that has only had the bare minimum of minutes together. This Australian team is completely different from the one that won the Pacific Championships last year.

Many rightly thought England would beat Tonga and Samoa in the last two years. They were superb at justifying their favorites label and at times dismantled them with ease.

Historically, there was an aura around the Green and Gold that meant the match was often lost before the players even took the field. I remember it from being part of the Lions team in the 2000s. But it’s not a sedentary kangaroo camp. During the build-up there was talk of disorganized preparation, as Mal Meninga stepped away to recruit players for an NRL team that won’t start until 2027. In his place comes Kevin Walters, who coached in Super League fifteen years ago, with little success.

The question on everyone’s mind in the game is whether this is the unbeatable green and gold machine of yesteryear. Or is it a side distracted by the worship of the home state, their sacred land, while the international jersey has gathered dust? The last time these two nations played, England were an ankle away from leveling a match that could have ended in glory. The tragedy is that since they haven’t faced each other in eight years, we have no idea how the match will play out. But that in itself brings excitement and intrigue.

The brilliant work done by players and administrators to bring international rugby league back to the top of the rankings deserves to be commended. But the only way to start now is to see England play their part and win their first series since 1970.

As a member of the 2003 Lions team that could have won 3-0, but ended up losing 3-0, I know that close losses count for nothing. Having played on teams that have sporadically beaten Australia home and away over the years, I know that a 2-1 series defeat doesn’t count either.

Like me, they will discover that if they don’t seize this moment, there is no glory in defeat. This will be a wasted opportunity and one that players may never have the chance to rectify.

The stage belongs to them. The time has come. This is the best chance England has ever had. Now they have to go out there and make the most of it. Fortune favors the brave.

Rugby League Ashes 2025

First try: Saturday October 25, Wembley Stadium, London

Second try: Saturday 1 November, Everton Stadium, Liverpool

Third try: Saturday 8 November, Headingley Stadium, Leeds