Rugby League Ashes: Australia players to watch against England – Adrian Morley

Other players Morley will be looking out for include Roosters forward Angus Crighton – “He’s a very strong player” – and he admits Australia’s strength in depth creates a big challenge for England.

“They are world champions and have been the standard for a number of years, but the fact that the tournament is on home soil will be huge for the English,” he says. “It will be an exciting, close three-match Test series.”

Australia have not lost in an Ashes series since 1970, although they had to come from behind to win all three matches in 2003, including the opener, in which Morley was sent off after just 12 seconds for a foul on Robbie Cairns.

“If he had gotten up right away, I don’t think I would have been fired,” he joked.

“To be fair, it was a terrible challenge. It happened so fast. It was a bit of a blur.”

Great Britain’s 2006 Tri Nations win in Sydney is a happier memory.

“It was that infamous night when Willie Mason was on a mission trying to get all the British players out,” he says.

“He punched Stuart Fielden and then hit Sean Long with an even worse challenge. I thought: Why didn’t he get sent off and I got sent off?” But they have allowed more in these Test matches. “And it was great to be a part of that.”

No British team has been able to beat the Kangaroos since.

“It’s been a long time between drinks,” Morley says. “But if we can compete well and get one or two tests, it will be absolutely incredible and you will see the game go to new levels.”