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PEACOCK EYES TOP PRIZE
England captain Jamie Peacock insists winning the World Cup is an "attainable" goal.
The 30-year-old Leeds Rhinos forward was not born when Great Britain last lifted the trophy in 1972 but he believes the tide is beginning to turn after three decades of domination by Australia.
Peacock has been a mainstay of the national side since making his debut in the 2000 World Cup and argues the present squad, currently preparing on Queensland's Gold Coast for next week's opening game against Papua New Guinea, can match it with the best.
Although the real test will come when England meet Australia in Melbourne on November 2, Peacock points to last year's series whitewash against New Zealand and this season's hammering of France in Toulouse as evidence of genuine progress.
"I've been thinking about it a lot since last year," he said. "I have a good feeling about England and Super League and about the impact we can make on the competition.
"It's an attainable goal, whereas before we were perhaps just happy to perform well.
"We're very confident. We could have done with more time as a squad but it's not to be. We've been building confidence and momentum with the Kiwis wins and the performance against France."
Peacock is one of 15 players from Grand Finalists Leeds and St Helens in Tony Smith's 24-man squad as the coach opts for the players in form and the skipper is delighted the emphasis has been placed on pace and agility with the selection of such players as Mark Calderwood, Lee Smith and Rob Purdham.
"I think it's a fantastic squad," he said. "We've got strength all over, a good blend between experience and youth and enthusiasm, all the things which make rugby league teams great.
"If you look at most good teams, they generally revolve around that. You need to be physical up front and have some size but you also need to have the ability to finish and that generally comes with pace.
"It's a good template for a winning team and a lot of the players are in the prime of their careers."
Peacock undoubtedly comes into that category. Runner-up to Australia's Cameron Smith for the Golden Boot award last year, he was short-listed for Man of Steel this season and admits he is at the peak of his powers.
"I've been very pleased with my form," he said. "In the last six months of last year and then this year I have probably been playing as well as at any point in my career."
Peacock was initially fast-tracked into the captaincy following the sudden defection of Andy Farrell to rugby union and the injury jinx that struck his successor Paul Sculthorpe, but he has grown into the job and admits he now feels comfortable in the role.
"There is no bigger privilege, certainly on a playing level in this country," said the former Bradford captain, who won his 26th Great Britain cap against New Zealand last November.
"Since 2005, I feel like I know what I'm doing. I work on the same lines as Smithy. I put a lot of preparation into playing well for England. It means a lot to me.
"You've got to stand up, especially in the position I play in the front row where you have to try and play brave and do some tough things.
"But I've been lucky to play with some great players - Moz (Adrian Morley) has been fantastic and so has Gaz Ellis and I hope James Graham will do the same this year.
"If he brings his club form on to the international stage, it will be fantastic for him."
England will leave their training camp on the Gold Coast on Monday to set up their base in tropical Townsville, venue for Saturday's opening pool one game against the Kumuls.
Much has been made of the humidity England can expect in northern Queensland and the conditions which will be more favourable to their opponents but Peacock is not looking to make excuses.
"A lot has been spoken about the heat but the main thing that will affect the result is our own performance," he said.
"If we perform as well as we can, we will win the game regardless of the conditions. We need to go into the game with our heads on."
You can now get your hands on the official England Rugby League World Cup shirt at the club shop at Headingley Carnegie or order it online in time for the big kick off.
Produced by Puma, the shirt is available in Large, XL and XXL and priced £45. Click here to visit the online store now and purchase your shirt.
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