Galpharm hosts hopeful England: Four Nations preview

Nov 7 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

He has clearly taken a gamble in dropping the experienced Danny McGuire in favour of the exciting but unproven Kyle Eastmond and is hoping that Warrington centre Chris Bridge can carry his club form onto the international stage.

The axing of McGuire means England will have a completely re-shaped back division from their last meeting with the Kiwis at Suncorp Stadium 12 months ago, while the tourists are also much changed.

The loss of Leeds-bound forward Greg Eastwood leaves New Zealand without 10 members of the side that beat Australia 34-20 in the World Cup final, but the replacements have impressed Peacock.

“I think New Zealand have shown a great attitude,” he said. “They are missing some big names but the guys who have come in are doing a great job and are playing with tenacity.”

Peacock, who felt the pain of the World Cup losses more deeply than anybody, says there is a determination to make amends but also believes that failure to reach the Four Nations final would not be cataclysmic.

In selecting Eastmond, along with the likes of Sam Tomkins, Richie Myler and Tom Briscoe, Smith has had one eye on the next World Cup in 2013 and his captain is also looking long-term.

“We want to get to the final, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s not going to be the be-all and end-all and the death of British rugby league if we don’t get there,” he said. “You look at the average age of the squad and there are going to be a lot of these players in the World Cup.”