He believes smartening up – and sharpening up – gives them the best chance of claiming their first victory since ditching the GB banner a decade ago. 

“When you play Super League and you make an error, you can get away with it, but you can’t at this level,” he said. 

“We need to be a lot more clinical.  We need to earn the right to score tries. 

“It’s not about doing anything different, it’s just about doing it better.  Everything is at the next level.” 

This will be O’Loughlin’s first game as captain against Australia since being appointed in 2015, having missed last year’s Four Nations through injury. 

“Being captain is a big honour but I’m well aware there are four, five, six other players who can do the job,” he said. 

“Captaining England is easy because there are so many others who have that role for their clubs.  It doesn’t really change anything.” 

The winners on Friday would, in theory, get a smoother path to the final.  And if England, or Australia, miss out on the decider on December 2, this could be O’Loughlin’s final game against the Kangaroos. 

But his mindset is all about anticipation, rather than reflection. 

“The chance to fly the flag and represent your country, especially over in Australia... it’s huge,” he said. 

“I’ve only been involved in one World Cup, this will definitely be my last.”