Greg Eastwood is hoping to sign of his World Cup campaign in style in a bid to keep himself in the minds of the New Zealand selectors.
Leeds-bound second-rower aiming to upset Australia in final
Leeds Rhinos-bound Greg Eastwood is hoping to sign of his World Cup campaign in style in a bid to keep himself in the minds of the New Zealand selectors.
The 21-year-old, who has spent the past three years with the Brisbane Broncos, is preparing to quit Australia after Saturday's final against the Kangaroos and will take up a three-year contract with the Rhinos.
Eastwood qualifies to play for England - courtesy of his Huddersfield-born father - and admits he has not ruled out the possibility of playing for them in the future, but hopes he can continue his promising career with the Kiwis in next year's revived and expanded Tri-Nations Series.
"Maybe," he says of his England prospects. "But I hope I'll keep getting picked for the Kiwis.
"I've just got to keep playing consistent football. If I can keep doing that, I'm sure Stephen Kearney and Wayne (Bennett) will look towards overseas.
"I just want to go over there and have a good season with Leeds and hope to come back with the Kiwis at the end of the year."
Eastwood did not enjoy his most productive game as New Zealand overcame England in the semi-finals in Sydney last weekend but is determined to put the record straight in Saturday's final and is adamant he and his team-mates can spring a big surprise by overturning the tournament favourites.
"I didn't have a good game last week but I hope I can pick that up to where I've been throughout the World Cup," he continued.
"I've given my word to the boys that I'll be there all game. They don't have to worry about me missing any tackles or not being there for them.
Improving
"Our first performance (of the tournament) wasn't too good, but we picked it up against Papua New Guinea and England - and we've got that confidence and belief in each other that we could do the job on Saturday.
"Australia have been a rock-hard team throughout the tournament. They've been rock solid in defence and attack. I hope they will get a bit sloppy. But they never do, so we've just got to stick in there for the full 80 and see what happens.
"We've got to pick up our defence - it was pretty ordinary against them in the first Test - and build pressure. If we can get good ball, we can put points on the board."
While the final is Eastwood's current priority, he has given thought to his role at Leeds and admits he has a tough act to follow at Headingley having been signed to replace the departing Gareth Ellis who has joined NRL outfit Wests Tigers.
Big shoes to fill
"Gareth Ellis is a good player - he got international second rower of the year - so they're going to be big shoes to fill," he added. "I hope I can do the job that he used to do over there."
But when asked to explain his move from the NRL to Super League at such a young age, Eastwood was refreshingly candid, stating: "Probably the money.
"I love my family - and if I can support them when I get back, it will be a real bonus for me.
"I'll go over just before Christmas to get settled in. My dad was born in Huddersfield, and I've got a bit of family over there - so I'll catch up with them."
