The new King of England

In the lead up to the international calander which consists of the Tri-Nations and the much anticipated World Cup, a new face has immerged which England are hoping will bring results.

Central Coast Falcons coach Anthony Magro has been the man brought in and the fans are already excited. Anthony for anyone who hasn't followed his career has rep coached City Origin to a 75% succession rate, brought New South Wales to a series win, coached Lebanon and more importantly has turned the Central Coast Falcons from a newly created franchise to a Premier League powerhouse.

The odd stastic in the move is the recruitment factor of Magro. Prior to the move, the Falcons have been a development ground for Lebanese players like the El Masri's (Hazem, Wissam and Samer), the Magro's (Guiseppi and Romeo) and Habib El Muktar. However this season alone the Falcons have imported big name English players like Stuart Fielden and Paul Sculthorpe. Recruited for '06: Marc Calderwood, Mick Higham, Garreth Hock and Danny Sculthorpe join the roster.

Many English fans believe they've been underdone in the ASRL, believing they are under rated and over looked. Most of Englands players have or still remain in Division One. Matt Diskin (Newcastle), Andy Farrell (former New England), Garreth Raynor (East Coast) and Kris Radlinski (North Queenland) are all quality English products who or have struggle to find first grade spots in the Premier League.

What this also brings is a unity in the side. Higham, Calderwood, Fielden and Hock will all form a bond under the coaching style of Magro and from there other players will find their feet within the squad. It's a similar idea Australian coach Chris Walker-Bush and New Zealand coach Douglas Allen are implying at club level.

Gold Coast had the corner stone of Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus, Steve Simpson, Matthew Gidley and now Luke Rooney to adapt playing together. Tatically their are go to men who know what's going on and from that other players slot in and work off Chris Walker-Bush' key men.

The first Tri-Nations match kicks off for England in Round 21 with them taking on New Zealand at JJB stadium. Magro has the quick task of wrapping up the Origin series, getting to know and work with the English players and forge a squad. "I've got plenty to work with. I've already seen the potential and quality of English players either playing with or against me. I'll for now work with the corner stones of Paul Scuthorpe and Stuart Fielden. Already I'm getting idea on who would work well with who and I believe I can bring in some new lethal combinations" said Magro.

Tickets for the first Tri-Nations game against New Zealand goes on sale Monday week from all Ticketek sales booths. Expect a slobber knocker of a match between long term rivals Anthony Magro and Doug Allen.

Nice article. Good to see the English game being talked up.

$30,000 split two ways