Peacock: No expectations

Peacock: Ready for a win

No one expected us to be in the final. After New Zealand played Australia in that first match, everyone wrote off our chances so I think we're just going to go out there and enjoy it

Jamie Peacock
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England captain Jamie Peacock insists the team are satisfied entering the Gillette Four Nations final against Australia with no expectation on their shoulders.

Despite a collection of one-off triumphs, England have not enjoyed a Test series win over the Kangaroos in 39 years, but Peacock believes their underdog status could work to their advantage at Elland Road.

"We're the underdogs and nothing is really expected of us," said Leeds prop Peacock.

"No one expected us to be in the final. After New Zealand played Australia in that first match, everyone wrote off our chances so I think we're just going to go out there and enjoy it.

"You are aware of history and obviously we want to be the first in two or three generations to do that.

"We've given ourselves a chance by getting to the final and we've just got to get out there and play: 1970 always gets mentioned and it would be nice to get people talking about 09 instead."

England have developed in each match so far, but Peacock has acknowledged that the Kangaroos will be tough to beat and has painful memories of past routs such as their 52-4 World Cup mauling.

"You've always got to be on your guard against a team like Australia because they can quickly put points on anybody," said Peacock.

"You switch off for five or 10 minutes and you can be 24 or 26 points down. It's up to us to stay fully focused for the 80 minutes."

Fight-back

Australia took a 26-0 lead at Wigan earlier in the tournament before England rallied back to make the final scoreline respectable.

Melbourne Storm centre Greg Inglis was England's tormentor at the DW Stadium, but Peacock insists the solution does not lie in stopping the supply of ball to him.

"I don't think it's quite as simple as that," he said. "Everybody has spoken about their backline but we fully respect what their forwards are capable of. They've got some fantastic players in their pack as well."

The captain expressed his delight at the improvement of some of the England forwards, with Gareth Ellis, Kevin Sinfield and Ben Westwood stepping up to reach the established levels of Peacock, Adrian Morley and James Graham and Sam Burgess and Eorl Crabtree also emerging as strong contributors.

"It's good how people have stepped up," said Peacock.

"Maybe two or three years ago - even up until last year - I was worried what would happen when we've retired but the guys who have come in have been outstanding.

"In James, Gareth, Eorl, Sam and Benny Westwood, there are some great forwards now. We've got a real strong 17-man squad - or even a strong 24-man squad, with the people left out."

Crabtree, who has particularly shined throughout the competition, is hoping England can use the decider to end the winning drought.

"Beating Australia would mean the world to me," he said.

"I've been to loads of matches as an England fan and come away disappointed after seeing us lose to Australia.

"I didn't stop going because of the disappointment - I wanted to be there when

Great Britain got that breakthrough win and I hope everyone else feels that way now."