MAURICE Bamford claims rugby league is in the same boat as English football - struggling because top players cannot reproduce club form at international level.

The former Great Britain supremo, who was also at Wigan and Leeds told M.E.N. Sport: "We are constantly having it rammed down our throats just how good we are and what we're going to do. But it doesn't work like this.

"We then have a massive traumatic shock at international level because we are only good when we compete in our own back yard.

"Far too much self-hype surrounds our game just as it does in football's Premiership. We are constantly talking ourselves up and we have seen so many false dawns."

Bamford, whose warning came with the Lions on en route to Australia and New Zealand for the Tri Nations series, added: "People have got to realise that we are good on our own patch at club level but it's a whole new ball game in internationals.

"We've seen this with the England football team - it's the same story in rugby league. We have the talent, we have world-class players but they just can't do it when they come together at international level.

Chance

"I admit our game has improved but I will believe we've caught up the Australians when we whip them in a three-match series not in a one-off game.

"Unfortunately the void is always going to be there. We improve but so do the Australians.

Sceptical

"I watched the opening game between Australia and New Zealand and the more I see of it the more sceptical I become about Britain's chances.

"I hope my prediction is way off the mark but don't forget we finished behind the Aussies and the Kiwis last year and if we are to have an impression then we'll need to play the game of our lives.

"I want to be as positive as I possibly can as anything can happen but it's not about doing it in one game, it comes down to sustaining the intensity throughout the competition.

Bamford, though, singled out several players for special mention. "Paul Wellens is possibly the best full back in the world right now," he added.

"Wellens has had a wonderful season and never gives anything less than 100 per cent.

"Brian Carney could also make a big impression because he has come on leaps and bounds by playing in the Australian NRL.

"Carney has talent and is the man for the big occasion but I do feel we could be limited at centre and at half back.

"I would certainly try to find a place somewhere for little Rob Burrow because his pace could frighten the Aussies. There are two things they don't like - an Englishman with pace a player with an off-the-cuff style.

"I'm delighted to see Lee Briers from Warrington staking a claim. He may lack a yard of pace but he can produce that off-the-cuff style.

"This is what we used to see from Roger Millward and Alex Murphy."

Bamford believes Salford's Andy Coley could also figure prominently.

He added: "Coley is as good as anything around and he has been a key figure in the steady improvement shown by Salford.

"I'd also like to have seen Mal Alker in there as back up but it's down to Coley to fly the flag for Salford."

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