England v New Zealand – Four Nations preview
There hasn’t been much good news coming out from the England physio room in the build up to the Four Nations campaign, but the team has been given a significant boost with the news that Sam Tomkins has been cleared to play against New Zealand on Saturday.
The Wigan stand-off was rumoured to be joining Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock on the plane home, following a pelvis injury sustained against the New Zealand Maori but thankfully for England fans he will start alongside Kevin Brown at half-back.
In Morley and Peacocks’ absence James Graham has been handed the captain’s arm-band in what will only be his fourth cap for his country. Stuart Fielden will start along with Graham in the forwards, after coming through a fitness test on Wednesday evening.
One man who hasn’t recovered from injury is Leeds winger Ryan Hall, who has been suffering with a hamstring problem. His loss is Darrell Goulding’s gain, as he is set to make his international debut after impressing in Wigan Warriors’ Super League winning season.
Coach Steve McNamara, who has failed to taste victory in 13 games following the terrible end to his stint at Bradford where they went on the longest losing run in their history, is happy with the strength in depth he has at his disposal.
“I think we also have a lot of talent in our backs,” he told Sky Sports. “Ryan Hall’s absence gives Darrell Goulding his first opportunity at this level and I think he’s going to go well. Darrell is a very talented young player who has been playing in a winning team, which in itself breeds confidence.
“He’s tremendously tough in terms of the work he gets through and the carries he makes. He’s also a player who knows his way to the goal-line and his try-scoring record is fantastic.
“He thoroughly deserves his place in the team.”
The talk around the England camp is that they have had a very successful week in training in the lead up to their opening match of the tournament; however the second-half performance of the team against the Maoris is a cause for concern. Leading comfortably 18-0 at half-time, England somehow contrived to draw the game 18-18 with a hugely lacklustre second half performance. A repeat of that on Saturday and the visitors could well be on the receiving end of a New Zealand hammering - as the likes of Benji Marshall, Manu Vatuvej and Thomas Leuluai are likely to take no prisoners.
Prediction: New Zealand by 15-20 points
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