England coach Tony Smith insists his side have enjoyed the best possible preparation for their World Cup campaign.
Kumuls skipper targeting a big upset
England coach Tony Smith insists his side have enjoyed the best possible preparation for their World Cup campaign.
Smith's men get the tournament under way in Saturday's opener against Papua New Guinea in Townsville and the coach is confident they could not be in better shape.
"They are eager," he told
Sky Sports News. "You just need to hold them back a little bit. You can only do so much preparation and so much planning and so much training until they need to perform and that's how it's getting.
"We think we've done a good job so far but the proof is always in the performance, but I have got every bit of faith in these guys here. They are very committed and they have done everything asked of them on tour so far and now it is down to performing."
Smith handed Lee Smith a surprise debut against the Kumuls and the 22-year-old admits he can hardly believe that he is set for a first cap in the World Cup.
"I suppose you have got to pinch yourself," the Leeds winger said. "But it is something that I will take in my stride and I am looking forward to Saturday.
"I have had a few ups and downs this year - through the middle of the season I didn't get picked for Leeds - but I got back to what I do well and towards the end of the season it did alright for me, I suppose."
Meanwhile, underdogs PNG have no intention of rolling over against an England side that is being tipped as likely finalists next month.
Skipper Jon Wilshere told
Sky Sports News: "We want to go out and win this game. We are not worried about the other teams at the moment.
"This is just one game that we are totally zoned in on and 100 per cent focused on. If we can get a win, it is just going to set our World Cup rolling."
