England captain Jamie Peacock insists his troublesome knee will not hamper his efforts to record an historic win over Australia.
Knee problems will not stop England skipper
England captain Jamie Peacock insists his troublesome knee will not hamper his efforts to record an historic win over Australia.
Peacock had been a major doubt for his side's must-win Gillette Four Nations match against New Zealand last Saturday, after taking a heavy knock to the knee he had reconstructed a year ago in the defeat by Australia.
However, the Leeds front rower made a miraculous recovery and showed no sign of the injury as he led England to a famous 28-6 win over the Kiwis.
And Peacock is confident it can withstand another strenuous test against the Kangaroos in Saturday's final at Elland Road.
"I'm just doing what any other rugby player does to be fair," said Peacock. "Sometimes you are not 100 per cent but that's the way it is.
"My knee feels like it did three or four months ago, when it was pretty stiff, but you know if you can trust it structurally, that nothing is going to go, you can go out and play.
Amazing
"It has definitely got one more game in it."
England picked up no further injuries against the Kiwis and Peacock is hoping Gareth Ellis will be fit to return, as he seeks to lead his country to a first series triumph over Australia since they won the World Cup in 1972.
"He's the best back rower in the world," Peacock said. "We want him back out there. He's an amazing player to play alongside."
Peacock, who missed last year's Four Nations Series down under because of the knee injury, will be making his 47th international appearance on Saturday, putting him joint fourth on the all-time list, just three behind team-mate Adrian Morley, who will become the first Briton to reach a half-century.
Morley's current total of 49 has enabled him to draw level with Garry Schofield and Mick Sullivan, who as well as sharing the Great Britain record of 46 caps, also made three England appearances.
Peacock said: "He's been involved in the game for a long time and he's been one of the best players for Great Britain over the last 15 years.
"I'm really pleased for him. It's an amazing achievement to say nobody else has done it before in this country."
