England call for Calderwood

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Last updated: 29th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

England call for Calderwood

Calderwood: Takes over on the wing from injured Smith

There wasn't much between the two last week. It was a close call on Mark and he's got a chance this week

England coach Tony Smith
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Mark Calderwood will start for England against Australia on Sunday after hat-trick hero Lee Smith was ruled out through injury.

Leeds winger Smith scored three times on his international debut last weekend, helping Tony Smith's side edge out Papua New Guinea 32-22 in their World Cup opener.

However, a foot problem he picked up in the game in Townsville means he will miss the massive match in Melbourne against the Kangaroos.

Former Rhinos team-mate Calderwood takes over on the wing in the only change made from the team that battled back from a half-time deficit to defeat the Kumuls.

Close call

"Lee should be fine for next week," said coach Smith. "We thought he would have been okay for this week but he's not going to make it.

"There wasn't much between the two last week. It was a close call on Mark and he's got a chance this week."

Calderwood's call-up caps a remarkable turnaround after he had struggled to hold down a place in Wigan's team midway through the Super League season.

Since signing a two-year deal to join Hull, after being told by the Warriors he would not have his contract renewed, he has been in inspirational form and now gets his chance against the Kangaroos.

"Everyone who didn't play last week was disappointed and that showed in training this week," said Calderwood.

"Everyone is itching to play. Obviously you want to play against the best in the world."

Hunt included

Reigning champions Australia have also been forced to make one change to their team for the pool match at the Telstra Dome.

Brisbane Broncos full-back Karmichael Hunt is included on the bench in place of Kurt Gidley, who will miss the rest of the tournament after suffering a knee injury.

The loss of the utility player was the only disappointment for the hosts on Sunday as they swept aside New Zealand 30-6 in their first fixture.

Coach Ricky Stuart has included fitness doubts Jonathan Thurston and Brent Tate in the starting XIII.

Scrum-half Thurston had been struggling with a shoulder injury while Tate, who will be on the wing, was a concern after having to be helped from the field with concussion late in the game.

England: Wellens (St Helens); Gardner (St Helens), Gleeson (Warrington), Senior (Leeds), Calderwood (Wigan); Pryce (St Helens), Burrow (Leeds), Peacock (Leeds, capt), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Hock (Wigan), Ellis (Leeds), Sinfield (Leeds)
Replacements: McGuire (Leeds), Morley (Warrington), Fa'asavalu (St Helens), Wilkin (St Helens).

Australia: Slater (Melbourne); Monaghan (Canberra), Inglis (Melbourne), Folau (Melbourne), Tate (NZ Warriors); Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), Thurston (North Queensland); Civoniceva (Penrith), Smith (Melbourne), Price (NZ Warriors), Stewart (Manly), Laffranchi (Gold Coast), Gallen (Cronulla)
Replacements: Kite (Manly), Perry (Manly), Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Hunt (Brisbane).