Kevin Sinfield after England's loss to Italy. Source: Gareth Copley / Getty Images
EMBARRASSED England captain Kevin Sinfield has declared the World Cup host nation will use a "siege mentality" as motivation in the build-up to Saturday's opening clash against Australia.
The reigning Golden Boot winner was under fire at the World Cup launch in Manchester overnight in the wake of the humiliating 15-14 defeat to Italy on the weekend that ranks as the biggest ever upset in rugby league according to the bookmakers.
The captains and coaches from the 14 competing nations gathered at the famous home of Manchester United at Old Trafford for what was supposed to be one of the proudest day's of Sinfield's life.
But Sinfield was forced to defend his leadership and his squad and he fired back at suggestions the shock loss would crush England's confidence before the tournament even kicked off.
Asked if England would draw strength from the criticism they have copped at home ahead of their match against the Kangaroos, Sinfield said: "I think we have to.
"I think it will test the character and the quality of our squad and I believe we can bounce back.
"I believe we will bounce back and we will do everything possible this week to fix things up to get out there on Saturday and put in a performance that everyone can be proud of.
"I think as a group we will learn from it.
"Whether we wanted to create a siege mentality, you know, I don't think we did at all but we've probably got one now.
"I think you (the media) have probably created that for us.
"I think it would be quite easy to go home and read a lot of press and all the Twitter stuff that is out there.
"We know it could send people into a spiralling depression so I think you guys helped create some of that and as players we rely on each other.
"We rely on each other's trust and honesty and we've got to believe in each other so we will stick together."
And Sinfield said the belief amongst the playing group was still strong although he admitted there has been plenty of soul searching in the aftermath of the loss.
"The squad is strong mentally and we are certainly united, probably more so now on the back of that," he added.
"You don't become a bad team overnight. We realise that. We don't become bad players overnight. Seventeen dropped balls tells the story and if we had done that against every nation that was here today they probably would have beaten us."
Asked if the squad was galvanised by the embarrassment and the fallout, Sinfield added: "I think it probably does.
"When suddenly as a group of blokes you are fighting for something and suddenly a lot of those people behind you start turning the guns inward on you, justifiably so I might add, you've got to do something about it.
"As a group and it will certainly test our character and the qualities we have and it will certainly test the group's leadership as well.
"We are looking forward to these next six weeks and the challenges along the way that we are going to face.
"No question we are facing a huge one this weekend against Australia."
The captains of the 14 Rugby League World Cup teams at the launch of the tournament at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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