James Roby aiming for England victory over Australia
ST HELENS star James Roby is hoping an England victory in England V Australia match in the Gillette Four Nations will be the perfect present for his son Ollie who celebrates his birthday this Saturday.
Roby played a starring role for England in their 34-12 victory over France last Friday and the 2007 Man of Steel winner is hoping to experience a second career victory over the Kangaroos.
And he said: “I was lucky enough to play in the game in 2006 when we beat Australia and that was a brilliant feeling and day.
“It gives you so much confidence as a player that you’ve been over there and turned them over. Hopefully this Saturday we can do that again and it would be a massive personal achievement and a little birthday present for my son whose birthday is on Saturday.”
Roby will come head-to-head with Kangaroos hooker Cameron Smith, the 2007 Golden Boot winner and a player he respects greatly.
“I think he’s a brilliant player. I don’t watch too much of the NRL but every time I do see him he’s the stand out player. He’s a very good organiser, has a good kicking game and is a great tackler.
“He’s got a great all round game and I rate him very highly as a hooker and fellow pro,” said Roby.
As with many people Roby was glued to his TV on Saturday to watch Australia and New Zealand put on one of the best and most fiercely competitive games of rugby ever played in the UK.
And although impressed by both the Kangaroos and the Kiwis, Roby thinks it will not have any influence on Saturday’s game at Wigan’s DW Stadium.
Roby said: “There are a lot of people that speak about Australian and New Zealand rugby being better than our rugby and an aura that exists around the Aussies and the NRL.
“It was a fantastic game but I do think there is little bit of an aura about the NRL that I don’t really see. What have they got that we haven’t? It’s 17 players who are human and at the end of the day we can match them.”
In preparation for Saturday’s crucial game that could see an England victory all but eliminate Australia from the competition, Tony Smith’s men have set-up camp in Manchester, a move Roby believes is bringing the best out of the squad.
“We’ve had a good week’s training. Everyone’s staying over in the hotel and having a good laugh.
“Things are going well so far and hopefully we can take what we’ve been doing in training into the game.
“It’s vital this year that we’ve got a really good team spirit..
“All the lads will be more competent and excited for this game. No disrespect to France but when you play Australia it’s one of the biggest games you’ll play in your career.”
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