“We want to go out there and bring the World Cup home. We’re looking to go all the way and that will surely be the target.”
England or Great Britain hasn’t reached a World Cup final in 22 years, and it hasn’t won the competition in 45 years. But that record matters little to half-back Luke Gale. The Castleford playmaker is adamant that England is not going down under to just make up the numbers but to make history.
If England are going to succeed at the tournament, a lot will rest on the shoulders of the 29-year-old. For the past two years, Gale has been the best number seven in Super League. This year he led the Tigers to the League Leader’s Title and the grand final. He was the top of the competition in goals kicked and try assists, scoring eight tries along the way. He was a regular in the Dream Team and was the fulcrum of Castleford’s classy play this season.
Gale’s route to the top has not been an easy one after he was let go by his hometown club Leeds as an 18-year-old, unable to break the first-choice partnership of Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow. He spent time at Doncaster, then London and Bradford, honing his craft and developing his skills. At 29 he is a seasoned pro with more than 240 games under his belt, but after finally making his England debut last year, he feels he can get even better.
“You’re always learning, you’re never too old to learn. I think playing the England games in the past has stood me in good stead. Flying out for the Samoa Test was obviously really good for the boys. It’s got us together and gives you a kind of taste of what’s going to come up in this World Cup and its seven weeks together, so it’s a long time together with this group of men. It’s a great task at hand and one I’m really looking forward to.”
Gale is likely to be paired with either Gareth Widdop or George Williams as England’s halves combination. Coach Wayne Bennett tried combination after combination in the 2016 Four Nations unsuccessfully but is expected to stick with one for the World Cup. Considering his outstanding form in Super League in 2017, Gale is in the box seat for one of the slots.
The halfback is also keen to make up for the disappointing manner in which his club season ended against Leeds. The Tigers froze in the bright lights of Old Trafford against the Rhinos, who upset Castleford with a sterling display. The step from club to international level is not an easy one for all. Success at the World Cup, against the likes of the Kangaroos and Kiwis, would help make up for that dire defeat.
A broken phone, @snozzer_gale and his Pogba top and @ScottTagTaylor causing mischief 😝
The team have made it to Australia!
“I’m pumped,” he said.
“I got the call off JP [Jamie Peacock] on Sunday and just a great sense of pride really and honoured to make the World Cup squad. It kind of comes it at the right time. We flew out Thursday so there’s no time for grand final hangovers.”
