Tigers captain Aaron Woods has labelled Australia’s $170m training base in England as ‘unbelievable’

EVEN improved facilities at the Tigers are a shadow of what the Kangaroos are experiencing at their $170 million training base which is home to England’s soccer team.

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AARON Woods sums it up best when he declares the Kangaroos training facility is “a lot different to Concord Oval”.

For so long the Wests Tigers have been considered the paupers of the NRL, but even their recent improved facilities are a shadow of what the Kangaroos are experiencing at their $170 million training base which is home to England’s soccer team.

“It’s unbelievable,” Woods said. “It’s a lot different to Concord Oval. 14 fields, the gym is amazing. “The recovery centre is crazy. I don’t know where to start. This place is unbelievable.

Sport. Jake Trbojevic and Matt Scott train ahead of the Australian Kangaroos' Four Nations opening match against Scotland. Picture: Supplied

“The Kangaroos are working hard on getting the best facilities for us. We’ve got to work hard to repay the faith by playing some good footy.

“The good thing about Concord is, it is nice and sunny. It’s quite chilly here. It’s very cold but it’s part of (the experience).”

The Kangaroos hit the training paddock for the first time in a brisk hour session at St George’s Park. Woods is expected to start for Australia in their opening pool game against Scotland on Saturday.

England interim football manager Gareth Southgate (centre) takes part in a training session at St George's Park in Burton-on-Trent.

It looms as an important hitout after the Tigers skipper missed the Kangaroos lead-up game against New Zealand to get married.

Strong performances by the likes of Trent Merrin and Shannon Boyd has Woods needing a good game to cement his place in the squad.

“I was at home on the Saturday night watching it,” Woods said. “It was so good but so hard to watch. I’ve got to do everything I need to do to force my way into the squad.”

Tigers captain Aaron Woods has labelled Australia’s $170m training base in England as ‘unbelievable’. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Woods said he feels like he owed coach Mal Meninga a starring performance after Meninga kept his faith in Woods despite the prop’s decision to skip the Kiwis game.

“Mal gave me the chance to get married and now I’ve got to repay him by playing some good footy,” Woods said. “He is such a good fella and said I went about it the right way. He said ‘get married, enjoy yourself and I’ll see you at the Four-Nations’.

“I was very nervous asking him but he was sweet.”

Originally published as Tigers captain Aaron Woods has labelled Australia’s $170m training base in England as ‘unbelievable’