England v Australia: Teams
The innocence of youth could be the key for England in Saturday's Four Nations final against Australia.
Last Updated: 14/11/09 7:06pm
The innocence of youth could be the key for England in Saturday's Four Nations final against Australia.
England have endured more than 30 years of heartache in major finals against the Green and Golds but the current generation insist they come into the final at Elland Road without that baggage of failure.
St Helens scrum-half Kyle Eastmond certainly feels that way. He told Sky Sports News: "There might be a little bit psychologically, but not with us blokes, we've not been there and tasted that before. There might be a few nerves before the game but as soon as we get on the pitch, we'll be fine."
Eastmond's half-back partner Sam Tomkins agrees with that analysis. He said: "I think it's good that everybody thinks they are favourites. It lets us slip in there as underdogs and it is always good going into a big game like this as underdogs. The pressure is on them to produce what everyone is expecting."
England coach Tony Smith keeps faith with the same 17 that beat world champions New Zealand 20-12 last Saturday to secure a place in the final.
England: S Briscoe (Hull KR); P Fox (Hull KR), C Bridge (Warrington), M Shenton (Castleford), R Hall (Leeds); S Tomkins (Wigan), K Eastmond (St Helens); A Morley (Warrington), K Sinfield (Leeds), J Graham (St Helens), J Peacock (Leeds, capt), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), S Burgess (Bradford).
Subs: J Roby (St Helens), E Crabtree (Huddersfield), B Westwood (Warrington), J Wilkin (St Helens).
Australia: B Slater (Melbourne); J Hayne (Parramatta), G Inglis (Melbourne), J Hodges (Brisbane), B Morris (St George Illawarra); D Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), J Thurston (North Queensland); P Civoniceva (Penrith), C Smith (Melbourne), B Hannant (Canterbury), L Lewis (Penrith), P Gallen (Cronulla), N Hindmarsh (Parramatta).
Subs: (from): D Shillington (Canberra), S Thaiday (Brisbane), A Watmough (Manly), K Gidley (Newcastle), M Jennings (Penrith), B White (Melbourne).
Referee: Leon Williamson (New Zealand).