Daryl Powell believes England v Australia is too close to call

Super League‘s Coach of the Year Daryl Powell believes that Australia‘s Four Nations clash with England in Melbourne on Sunday could be a nailbiter.

The Castleford coach cannot see much difference in quality between the teams, and is expecting a close game.

“I can’t see much between England and Australia,” he said.

“It’s going to be a really close game on Sunday. The Aussies will feel confident that they can turn it around after the New Zealand defeat.

“Our pack can dominate down the middle and with two great hookers supporting I’m sure we’ll be able to break them down. We’ve got quality on the edges, too, which can cause anyone problems.”

Powell does feel that England might well have an advantage in the middle, and should make full use of their big pack, after winning a close game against Samoa last weekend.

“The key to the Samoa game was that they won it and they did that,” said Powell.

“The England team hadn’t had much preparation in the lead up to the game and the warm conditions made it tough.

“I thought the pack stuck to the job and George Burgess never took a backward step, he played a big part.

“Daryl Clark made an instant impact and Michael Shenton knows the way he plays so it was great to see him supporting and come up with the first try.”