NZ Maori v England: Teams
Steve McNamara has named a virtual full-strength line-up for England's Four Nations tune-up clash with New Zealand Maori.
Last Updated: 15/10/10 3:35pm
England coach Steve McNamara has named a virtually full-strength side for the Four Nations tune-up clash with New Zealand Maori in Auckland on Saturday.
The former Bradford Bulls boss makes a total of four changes from the line-up that crushed France 60-6 in their last international.
Three of them are enforced, with Ryan Atkins taking over at centre from unavailable Warrington team-mate Chris Bridge, while acting captain Adrian Morley and James Roby replaced injured Leeds duo Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield.
McNamara has chosen to rest St Helens prop James Graham with his place in an all-new front-row being taken by Huddersfield's Darrell Griffin.
All three NRL-based players are included in the starting line-up, with Gareth Widdop of Melbourne Storm retaining his place at full-back.
Late arrival
Wigan prop Stuart Fielden was a late arrival in New Zealand and is not included in the match-day squad. Shaun Lunt, Darrell Goulding and Tony Clubb will also definitely miss out.
"We have seven very, very good players not playing this week but they're all pushing hard and putting pressure on the players who are playing for selection next week when the Four Nation starts," McNamara said.
"We have made a conscious decision not to select Stuart Fielden because he has only just arrived in New Zealand and James Graham because we feel he needs more time to get over what was an arduous season for him at St Helens.
"I'm pleased with the mix of players we have in the 19. There's a great blend of established internationals and players with a lot of talent who are looking to prove themselves at this level."
McNamara is keen for his players to get some match practice before their Four Nations opener against New Zealand next Saturday.
Prepared
He added: "We're just where we need to be. Our preparations have been calculated to get us to where we are just now and we go into the game in good spirits and good form.
"It has been a tough season for some of the players. It was a long trip and we needed to get some things in place before we started to practise seriously for this game so preparations have been a slow, gradual build-up."
The Maoris will be captained by former Leeds centre Clinton Toopi and also include Castleford stand-off Rangi Chase and Crusaders second rower Weller Hauraki in their line-up.
And with the likes of dual-code Australia international Timana Tahu also featuring for the hosts, McNamara is expecting a stiff challenge.
"Having Super League and NRL players in the side makes them a very strong team, without a doubt. It is going to be an extremely tough game," he said.
New Zealand Maori: K Locke (Warriors); S Earl (Penrith), T Tahu (Parramatta), C Toopi (Gold Coast, capt), K Manihera (Northern Pride); A J Taumataa (North Queensland), R Chase (Castleford); J Tamou (North Queensland), A Heremaia (Warriors), R Packer (Warriors), W Hauraki (Crusaders), J Horo (Parramatta), B Thompson (Gold Coast).
Subs: J Smith (Salford), K Proctor (Melbourne), S McKendry (Penrith), L Brown (Warriors).
England: G Widdop (Melbourne); T Briscoe (Hull), M Shenton (Castleford), R Atkins (Warrington), R Hall (Leeds); K Brown (Huddersfield), S Tomkins (Wigan); A Morley (Warrington, capt), J Roby (St Helens), D Griffin (Huddersfield), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), S Burgess (South Sydney), S O'Loughlin (Wigan).
Subs (from): L Robinson (Huddersfield), E Crabtree (Huddersfield), J Tomkins (Wigan), B Westwood (Warrington), B Harrison (Warrington), L Cudjoe (Huddersfield).