England v New Zealand: Teams
England head into Saturday's Gillette Four Nations clash with New Zealand knowing that nothing short of victory will be good enough.
Last Updated: 07/11/09 8:38pm
England head into Saturday's Gillette Four Nations clash with New Zealand knowing that nothing short of victory over the world champions will be good enough to progress to next weekend's final.
Tony Smith's side will be looking to build on the momentum created by their second-half display against Australia seven days ago.
Although they ultimately fell to a 26-16 defeat against The Kangaroos, there was encouragement for Smith and his men as they notched 16 unanswered points against the tournament favourites in the second period.
The England supremo has made three changes to last week's starting XIII with Danny McGuire paying the price for his tentative showing.
The Leeds stand-off makes way for exciting St Helens prospect Kyle Eastmond and has not even found a place on the replacements bench.
Eastmond forms a new-look half-back partnership with Wigan's Sam Tomkins having caught the eye after being introduced at half-time at the DW Stadium last week.
Smith makes two further switches to his back-line with Rhino Lee Smith and Hull's Tom Briscoe stepping aside to be replaced by Chris Bridge and Hull KR's Peter Fox.
The selection of Bridge has caused a few raised eyebrows, but Smith, who coaches the 25-year-old at Warrington, expects the powerful centre to make an impact, stating: "He's a big physical young man who has got some great attacking abilities."
The only other change sees St Helens back row forward John Wilkin restored to the bench for his first appearance since the World Cup.
Two changes for New Zealand
But there is no doubting that England still face a huge task against a powerful New Zealand outfit who have looked hugely impressive in their opening two games - the 20-20 draw against Australia and a 62-12 mauling of France last week.
Despite being without a host of members from their World Cup winning team, the Kiwis have demonstrated their strength in depth and will start as favourites to book a final date with great rivals Australia.
Coach Stephen Kearney has had to contend with the loss of a couple more of his leading players as both Steve Matai and Greg Eastwood were struck down by injury in the victory over France.
Matai sustained internal bleeding in his left eye, while Leeds-bound Eastwood fractured a bone in his left wrist and will miss the remainder of the tournament.
However, there is some good news for Kearney as prop Jeff Lima has recovered from his knock to take Eastwood's place on the replacements bench, while 19-year-old Manly Sea Eagles utility player Kieran Foran has been given the nod to step in for Matai at left centre.
Kearney insists his squad has the quality to deal with their injury problems and backed Foran to make the most of his opportunity, commenting: "We've been thrilled with the way our new players have handled themselves when given their chance to play for the Kiwis over the last few weeks and we have great confidence in Kieran doing the same."
England: S Briscoe (Hull KR); Fox (Hull KR), Bridge (Warrington), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); Tomkins (Wigan), Eastmond (St Helens); Morley (Warrington), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Peacock (Leeds, captain), Ellis (West Tigers), Sinfield (Leeds)
Subtitutes: Burgess (Bradford), Crabtree (Huddersfield), Westwood (Warrington), Wilkin (St Helens)
New Zealand: Hohaia (NZ Warriros); Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Foran (Manly), Sa'u (Newcastle), Goodwin (Canterbury Bulldogs); Marshall (Wests Tigers, capt), Fien (St George Illawarra); Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Leuluai (Wigan), Moimoi (Parramatta), Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Pritchard (Penrith), Blair (Melbourne)
Substitutes: Luke (South Sydney), Lima (Melbourne), Matulino, Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly)