New Zealand v England: Teams
Darrell Goulding insists he will not be intimidated by a match-up with Manu Vatuvei in the Four Nations Opener with New Zealand.
Last Updated: 22/10/10 5:23pm
England debutant Darrell Goulding insists he will not be intimidated by a match-up with Manu Vatuvei in the Four Nations opener with New Zealand on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Wigan winger is one of three changes made by England coach Steve McNamara after the 18-18 draw with New Zealand Maori last Saturday.
New captain James Graham and late arrival Stuart Fielden take their places in the front row in Wellington after being rested for the warm-up contest.
Goulding has been called into the team as a replacement for Ryan Hall, who is ruled out of the clash after picking up a hamstring injury.
Facing him on the opposite wing for the Kiwis will be Vatuvei, who is nicknamed the 'Beast' and scored four tries against England in the 2008 World Cup.
Battle
However, Goulding says he is relishing the battle with the New Zealand Warrior, even if he admits it is a tough task in his first international match.
"I have seen Vatuvei play a few times and know that he's a very good player. He's probably rated as the best winger in the world right now," he said.
"He likes scoring tries and it's going to be my job to stop him. I'm looking forward to it."
England clinched a 20-12 victory against the world champions at the Galpharm Stadium in last autumn's Four Nations, but this time it is the Kiwis who will enjoy home advantage.
The hosts are hot favourites to gain revenge for that defeat, although captain Benji Marshall is adamant that England will not be underestimated.
New Zealand are without props Sam Rapira and Fuifui Moimoi for the whole competition but are still able to field a typically strong line-up.
Familiar face
Wigan's Thomas Leuluai will start at hooker rather than scrum-half while Nathan Fien forms a half-back partnership with Marshall.
Super League star Leuluai will be familiar with the majority of the England squad and thinks that Wigan team-mate Sam Tomkins could be their main threat.
"He's one of their strike players. Obviously I've played with him a lot and he's a great footballer, a real talent," he said.
"It's about minimising his say on the game. I don't think you can cancel him right out of the game, it's just about making sure he's not as effective.
"It will be tough. He's skinny but so strong and he breaks tackles when he runs with the ball. Everyone will be trying to run at him but he doesn't shirk away from his defence.
"He plays above his weight and puts his body on the line every time. But it's more about focusing on ourselves and, if we can all do our jobs, it will hopefully help us get a result."
New Zealand: L Hohaia (Warriors); J Nightingale (St George Illawarra), S Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), J Sa'u (Newcastle), M Vatuvei (Warriors); B Marshall (Wests Tigers, capt), N Fien (St George Illawarra); G Eastwood (Leeds), T Leuluai (Wigan), A Blair (Melbourne), S Mannering (Warriors), B Harrison (Canberra), J Smith (St George Illawarra).
Subs: B Matulino (Warriors), I Luke (South Sydney), F Pritchard (Penrith), F-P Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters).
England: G Widdop (Melbourne); D Goulding (Wigan), M Shenton (Castleford), R Atkins (Warrington), T Briscoe (Hull); K Brown (Huddersfield), S Tomkins (Wigan); S Fielden (Wigan), J Roby (St Helens), J Graham (St Helens, capt), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), S Burgess (South Sydney), S O'Loughlin (Wigan).
Subs: L Robinson (Huddersfield), D Griffin (Huddersfield), B Westwood (Warrington), J Tomkins (Wigan).