Higham issues heat warning
Micky Higham was warned his England team mates not to let the heat get to them in the sub-tropical steam of North Queensland tomorrow.
The Wigan hooker wants his World Cup colleagues to remain cool and collected when their keenly-anticipated clash with Papua New Guinea opens the 2008 World Cup tournament.
Kumuls coach Adrian Lam – an ex-Warriors player and coach – has called on his players to match the heat of Townsville with some hot action of their own at the Dairy Farmers Stadium.
But Higham believes that a calm and unflustered approach will see England through.
He said: "We've all been told that it's going to be really hot.
"This is a place where the average October temperature
is around 28 degrees, but apparently it's the humidity that we've got to look out for.
"It's definitely the kind of game where the players need to pace themselves.
"It's going to be torrid for 20 minutes at least, but our boys need to come through it.
"Whatever the conditions, we're ready to play and we're ready for this game."
Higham praised the foresight of the England coaching staff who encouraged several players – himself included – to train in specially heated chambers in Leeds and Liverpool before they flew Down Under.
Higham added: "That was hard work, but I reckon it's going to be worth it."
Click next page for more ...He also warned that PNG are going to be no push-overs, pointing to a recent game against a select Australian side coached by Mal Meninga.
The Kumuls lost, but still scored 32 points.
The Wigan hooker will be cheering on England from the sidelines after giving way to St Helens rival James Roby tomorrow.
But he still believes that the big time beckons.
He added: "This is only the start and everyone's going to get their chance.
"Hopefully we can go all the way to the semis and even beyond and that's going to mean plenty of tough rugby.
"There's a long way to go yet. Yes, Australia are setting the benchmark, but we have a pretty decent squad.
"We have a lot of good players. You only have to look at the guys not picked to play this weekend.
"I would think Australia will much start favourites but I think we could be the team to push the Kangaroos very close,"
England's opening fixture against PNG is live on Sky Sports 2 tomorrow from 9.30am (kick-off 9.55am).
Live commentary is also on BBC Five Live Sports Extra, and highlights are available on the BBC via the interactive red
button from 7pm on Saturday.
An hour's highlights will also be shown on BBC2 on Sunday starting at 3.30pm.
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Weather for Wigan
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 3 mph
Wind direction: South
