Betfair Big Interview: Hull FC stand-off Chris Thorman

Internationals / Ralph Ellis / 30 October 2008 / Leave a comment

The Rugby League World Cup has its first really big game on Sunday morning when England face Australia. Betfair found former England captain Chris Thorman on the treatment table at his new club Hull for an exclusive chat about what to expect.

Hi Chris - we know sportsmen normally hate watching games when they might have been playing in, so have you been following the World Cup so far?

Well it's a bit painful because I would have loved to be involved, but you can't help but follow it, can you? I keep finding myself drifting back to the TV and settling down to see it. If it's your own sport you have to be interested, don't you? And it's been pretty good so far.

You've not had the best of luck with injuries, have you?

I know what you mean. I've just had some minor surgery on my shoulder, so even if I had been selected I would have had to drop out. Every time I've got near I've had another niggling problem - but at least I've had the opportunity to play. I captained England twice against New Zealand and then France and nobody can take that away. The trouble is once you've had that taste you want more. I'm just hoping that signing for Hull means I'm now at a club that's capable of challenging for the major honours so hopefully that will bring the best out of me and I'll get more chances.

What did you think of England's first game against Papua New Guinea?

I didn't think it was as bad as everyone is making out. The commentators were talking about how the Aussie press and media were going to slate them, but I don't think they deserved that. You travel half way round the world and have a week to acclimatise to the conditions, and you are playing against an international side. It's not so easy. Papua New Guinea are no mugs - in particular Stanley Gene who is a former team mate of mine, was very impressive and controlled the game for long periods. I just thought England were probably at about 60 per cent, and there's plenty more to come.

You mention lack of time. Have the preparations been good enough? Especially compared to say an England football team going to a World Cup.

It's a fair point, but I still think this is the most well prepared we've been for any international competition - whether it be Tri-nations or a World Cup. I think Tony Smith is by far the best man for the job. Having worked with him I know what sort of motivator and tactician he is. Tony really leaves no stone unturned, and I know they've tried really hard to prepare themselves as well as they could. They have been in humidity chambers and tried their best to recreate the conditions they would face in Australia. But to be honest nothing prepares you for playing in 35 degree heat and intense humidity. You can only go and do your best

Lee Smith made a terrific impact and looks as if he could be a rising star.

Definitely. It's only such a shame he's got an injury for this weekend and I hope he gets over it quickly. I've thought for a long time that Lee is a big talent, and it is good to see he's been given an opportunity. I think that's another thing about Tony Smith - he is willing to give good young up and coming players a chance. From Lee's performance in the Grand Final he definitely deserved his spot. He probably could have scored four or five tries, but just the three on his Test debut is not so bad, is it?

Meanwhile the Aussies were thumping New Zealand. Is that ominous?

I fear it might be. Before the competition I was quite confident that England and New Zealand were not far away at all, and then I watched that game and I thought the Australian half-backs and Darren Lockyer especially were absolutely outstanding. They just dominated the game, kicking to all the right areas and directing players around the field. As for their outside backs Greg Inglis and Israel Folau - the two young lads who are 19 and 20 years old, they are absolute freaks. They are both 6ft 4ins, both have amazing handling skills, and can run the 100 metres in 10 and a half seconds or whatever. They are just freaks of nature and you can't compete against that. I don't think England have anyone of that athletic ability. When it comes to trying to beat Australia I really think we have to be at 100 per cent and hope they have an off day.

You've played in Australia with Parramatta Eels. Tell us about the Aussie mind set?

They are just absolute winners, they hate losing at anything. I found that out in the NRL, but I didn't really need to go to there to know it. We have a lot of Australian players in our sides, and I've worked alongside them at Huddersfield and London Broncos. They are a different breed, they really are, I can't compare them to any other nation because they just hate to lose. It's something that's rubbed off on me and a lot of other English players, but when you get a whole nation that are like it, they are so hard to beat. You can't forget as well that in Australia Rugby League is the number one game.

We wondered that. How high a profile will the competition have out there?

Massive. In the likes of Queensland and New South Wales, the most populated areas, it will be huge. The fans are very orientated around their clubs, but will come together for the Aussie national side. It's exciting. I would love to be out there to witness it at first hand.

That can't happen while you're settling into a new club. How's it going?

It's good. We start next Monday actually and I've been in a few times just getting the feel of the training venues and so on. It was a slightly disappointing season for Hull last year, although they did make the Challenge Cup final, the Super League campaign was poor and that's your bread and butter. Hopefully we'll do better this year

What attracted you there?

It's a massive club, a rugby league city, and I've never really experienced that before. Apart from at Parramatta, the English clubs I've played for both at Huddersfield and London Broncos didn't have massive fan bases. In Hull they have probably the biggest fan base in the competition. The facilities are first class, the stadium is outstanding and in Richard Agar they have a young up and coming British super league coach. It didn't take much selling to me to be honest.

We wish you luck with it and thanks for your time. We've a free £50 bet for you in aid of your favourite charity.

People might laugh but I'd like to send it to the RSPCA. Me and the wife are big animal lovers, we've got a cat and a dog. I'll be watching my hometown club Newcastle take on Aston Villa at St James Park on Monday night on the telly with interest. Villa have plenty of attacking talent with the likes of Young, Carew and Agbonlahor and Newcastle are finding some goals as well with Martins showing some form and the returning Joey Barton a good supplier of chances. This one's got goals on the cards so I'm going over 2.5 goals at [1.85].