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SkySportsPlaying against the Aussies is going to be a massive deal, and to be playing ...SkySportsSam Burgess, who is heading to the NRL next year, is amongst the replacements. Australia coach Tim Sheens has decided to shuffle things around having seen ...
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/match_preview/0,19936,11070_3137499,00.html&usg=AFQjCNFQj0UFqdlXNIHgagJlkXwO_PtBRg
England v Australia: Teams
At the DW Stadium, Saturday October 31, kick-off 2.30pm
30th October 2009
England could clinch a place in the Four Nations final with victory on Saturday, a result that would leave Australia's hopes hanging by a thread.
Tony Smith's side opened their campaign with a comfortable win over France, though the laboured performance has led to changes to the 17-man squad.
Sam Tomkins has been called in and the presence of the local boy in the starting line-up should help boost the attendance at the DW Stadium.
The 20-year-old takes over at scrum-half from Richie Myler, who suffered concussion against the French but would still have been left out regardless of the injury.
Chance
Having started his England career with a hat-trick against Wales, Tomkins gets the chance to impress on his home turf as Smith weighs up who should start against the Kiwis the following week.
"I was really disappointed not to play against France, but it wasn't with the team selection," Tomkins said. "I needed to do a bit more to get into the team.
"I think once you are in the squad of 24 everybody has got the opportunity to play, and you have to prove it in training. That was the main thing for me.
"I never thought my chance had gone. You just have to try hard to get back in.
"Playing against the Aussies is going to be a massive deal, and to be playing in Wigan makes it even more special."
Tomkins, who will partner Leeds' Danny McGuire in the half-back roles, will be up against the pairing of Jonathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer, who will equal Clive Churchill's record when he leads Australia for the 27th time.
"You pick bits off other players, and there is definitely stuff I'd like to learn off Lockyer," Super League's young player of the year added. "I hope he'll swap shirts with me at the end - I wouldn't mind that!"
The other fresh face for England is prop Eorl Crabtree, who has recovered from minor knee surgery and will begin the game on the bench.
Having been a replacement against France, James Graham now starts at prop, meaning skipper Jamie Peacock drops back to the second row. Sam Burgess, who is heading to the NRL next year, is amongst the replacements.
Shuffled pack
Australia coach Tim Sheens has decided to shuffle things around having seen his side rescue a draw in the closing minutes against New Zealand.
The 'Roos needed a late Cameron Smith try to rescue a 20-20 result in a terrific trans-Tasman battle played out at the Twickenham Stoop last Saturday.
Forwards Ryan Hoffman and Sam Thaiday have been dropped and while Kurt Gidley and Trent Waterhouse have been included on the list of possible replacements, both players are expected to be left out of the final 17.
Nathan Hindmarsh, who starred in the Parramatta Eels' unlikely run to the NRL Grand Final, comes into the team and hooker Robbie Farah, prop David Shillington and back-rower Luke Lewis could all make their Test debuts.
"England have got a couple of young fellas as well. The game is all about introducing young fellas," said Sheens.
"I told the guys they had to keep playing well or there would be changes. We want to play a different style against England so there are a number of changes for that reason as well."
Australia, who have won on their last three visits to Wigan, know a defeat would leave them relying on England's help to reach the final at Elland Road.
England: S Briscoe (Hull KR); T Briscoe (Hull), Smith (Leeds), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); McGuire (Leeds), Tomkins (Wigan); Morley (Warrington), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Ellis (Wests Tigers), Peacock (Leeds, capt), Sinfield (Leeds).
Subs: Burgess (Bradford), Crabtree (Huddersfield), Eastmond (St Helens), Westwood (Warrington).
Australia: Slater (Melbourne); B Morris (St George Illawarra), Inglis (Melbourne), Hodges (Brisbane), Hayne (Parramatta); Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), Thurston (North Queensland); Hannant (Canterbury), Smith (Melbourne), Civoniceva (Penrith), Watmough (Manly), Gallen (Cronulla), Hindmarsh (Parramatta).
Subs (from): Farah (Wests Tigers), White (Melbourne), Lewis (Penrith), Shillington (Canberra), Waterhouse (Penrith), Gidley (Newcastle).
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/match_preview/0,19936,11070_3137499,00.html&usg=AFQjCNFQj0UFqdlXNIHgagJlkXwO_PtBRg
England v Australia: Teams
At the DW Stadium, Saturday October 31, kick-off 2.30pm
30th October 2009
England could clinch a place in the Four Nations final with victory on Saturday, a result that would leave Australia's hopes hanging by a thread.
Tony Smith's side opened their campaign with a comfortable win over France, though the laboured performance has led to changes to the 17-man squad.
Sam Tomkins has been called in and the presence of the local boy in the starting line-up should help boost the attendance at the DW Stadium.
The 20-year-old takes over at scrum-half from Richie Myler, who suffered concussion against the French but would still have been left out regardless of the injury.
Chance
Having started his England career with a hat-trick against Wales, Tomkins gets the chance to impress on his home turf as Smith weighs up who should start against the Kiwis the following week.
"I was really disappointed not to play against France, but it wasn't with the team selection," Tomkins said. "I needed to do a bit more to get into the team.
"I think once you are in the squad of 24 everybody has got the opportunity to play, and you have to prove it in training. That was the main thing for me.
"I never thought my chance had gone. You just have to try hard to get back in.
"Playing against the Aussies is going to be a massive deal, and to be playing in Wigan makes it even more special."
Tomkins, who will partner Leeds' Danny McGuire in the half-back roles, will be up against the pairing of Jonathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer, who will equal Clive Churchill's record when he leads Australia for the 27th time.
"You pick bits off other players, and there is definitely stuff I'd like to learn off Lockyer," Super League's young player of the year added. "I hope he'll swap shirts with me at the end - I wouldn't mind that!"
The other fresh face for England is prop Eorl Crabtree, who has recovered from minor knee surgery and will begin the game on the bench.
Having been a replacement against France, James Graham now starts at prop, meaning skipper Jamie Peacock drops back to the second row. Sam Burgess, who is heading to the NRL next year, is amongst the replacements.
Shuffled pack
Australia coach Tim Sheens has decided to shuffle things around having seen his side rescue a draw in the closing minutes against New Zealand.
The 'Roos needed a late Cameron Smith try to rescue a 20-20 result in a terrific trans-Tasman battle played out at the Twickenham Stoop last Saturday.
Forwards Ryan Hoffman and Sam Thaiday have been dropped and while Kurt Gidley and Trent Waterhouse have been included on the list of possible replacements, both players are expected to be left out of the final 17.
Nathan Hindmarsh, who starred in the Parramatta Eels' unlikely run to the NRL Grand Final, comes into the team and hooker Robbie Farah, prop David Shillington and back-rower Luke Lewis could all make their Test debuts.
"England have got a couple of young fellas as well. The game is all about introducing young fellas," said Sheens.
"I told the guys they had to keep playing well or there would be changes. We want to play a different style against England so there are a number of changes for that reason as well."
Australia, who have won on their last three visits to Wigan, know a defeat would leave them relying on England's help to reach the final at Elland Road.
England: S Briscoe (Hull KR); T Briscoe (Hull), Smith (Leeds), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); McGuire (Leeds), Tomkins (Wigan); Morley (Warrington), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Ellis (Wests Tigers), Peacock (Leeds, capt), Sinfield (Leeds).
Subs: Burgess (Bradford), Crabtree (Huddersfield), Eastmond (St Helens), Westwood (Warrington).
Australia: Slater (Melbourne); B Morris (St George Illawarra), Inglis (Melbourne), Hodges (Brisbane), Hayne (Parramatta); Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), Thurston (North Queensland); Hannant (Canterbury), Smith (Melbourne), Civoniceva (Penrith), Watmough (Manly), Gallen (Cronulla), Hindmarsh (Parramatta).
Subs (from): Farah (Wests Tigers), White (Melbourne), Lewis (Penrith), Shillington (Canberra), Waterhouse (Penrith), Gidley (Newcastle).
