Cayless expecting backlash

Captain warns team-mates to expect 'tough match'

Last updated: 14th November 2008

Cayless expecting backlash

Cayless: Warning

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New Zealand skipper Nathan Cayless expects an early onslaught from England when the teams clash in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Cayless believes his opponents will be seething after going down 36-24 to the Kiwis last weekend after storming into an early 24-8 lead, and believes changes in personnel will get them fired up.

"England will have some of their star players back and I'm sure they will be hurting from last week's loss," he said. "It's going to be a very tough match.

"James Roby will be back - he's very sharp at dummy half - and they've Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire as well. They've got a very good balance, good size and speed as well. We've got to be prepared right across the park."

Coach Stephen Kearney insisted his team must get off to a better start this time - because England will not give them a second chance this time.

"I think it would be a lot tougher to come back this week from that scoreline," he said. "It's important we get off to a good start.

"I'm not 100% sure what I'm expecting from England but I've got a pretty good hunch in terms of who their best players are."

Cayless added that one thing sure to fire his side up is if the England players turn their backs on the haka, just as they did seven days ago.

"We just ask for a bit of respect. It's something we've done for a hundred years or so. We've got a lot of guys in our team who embrace their cultural backgrounds," he said.