Scotland captain Danny Brough says the wetter the better for his side’s clash against New Zealand in Workington tonight, while inclement weather could also benefit England.

The Bravehearts wrap up their inaugural Ladbrokes Four Nations campaign against New Zealand, who need to boost their points difference in case England pull off an upset against Australia on Sunday which would leave the big three level on two wins apiece.

Steve McCormack’s men lost to the Kangaroos by 42 points but restricted England to a 26 point winning margin and Brough says they are looking for further improvement against the Kiwis at what promises to be a soggy Derwent Park.

“It’s out there that they’ve got to score 30 or 40 points to help their chances,” said Brough, who will be joined in the Scotland squad by Ryan Brierley who is fit again after missing the England defeat with an ankle injury.

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“We’re looking to keep them under 20 if we can, that’s one of our goals.

“I just hope the weather can do us a favour as well. If it rains or it’s windy, it will slow the game down a bit and let us get set, instead of them getting quick play-the-balls and bursting through us. It would be nice to have a bit of wind and rain.

“We need to slow the game down, play to our tempo and control the ball. We’ve got to try to make it a bit messy without giving too many penalties away.”

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New Zealand’s assistant coach Justin Morgan, the former Hull KR boss, insists his side are not thinking about racking up the points against the tournament’s minnows.

“Winning is the number one priority, everything else takes care of itself,” Morgan said. “There has been no talk about points differential. They’re a good side and they’ve built over the tournament. Anyone who saw the first 25 minutes of their game against England will certainly say Scotland were the better side.

“On paper we look like a stronger rugby league team but we certainly don’t want to add to the upsets.”