League: Eastwood happy to front up

Greg Eastwood. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis forward Greg Eastwood doesn't see himself as a front rower but, if required, he's happy to do the job for his country in the upcoming Four Nations rugby league tournament.

Eastwood played in the back row during his five seasons in the National Rugby League (NRL) but injuries at Leeds Rhinos during his season-long stint in the Super League this year saw him shift to the front row, and he also started at prop during New Zealand's 50-6 win against Samoa at Auckland last Saturday.

When Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney names his team for the Four Nations opener against England here on Saturday, there's a good chance Eastwood will again find himself in jersey No 8 or 10, having been one of the standout players against Samoa.

It's a role he does not see himself performing long-term, but is happy to occupy if it means helping his country.

"I hope not," the 23-year-old replied when asked if he had a future at prop.

"I'm trying to lose a bit of weight so I can move back into back row.

"We had a lot of injuries at Leeds - I think four of our front rowers were injured - so I had to fit in to prop.

"It's sort of similar to lock in that you're just working around the rucks, so I find it all right. If I get a starting position at lock I'm more than happy to do the job."

The former Brisbane Broncos and Bulldogs player is returning to the Bulldogs next season after failing to settle in England this year, and you sense he is already relishing being back Down Under.

"It probably wasn't to my liking," he said of his time with Leeds.

"I missed my family a bit and it was cold, there was snow until about March, so it wasn't good. It's great to be back in camp, you feel back at home.

"It's good to be back in New Zealand where I grew up and to be back in the black and white, it's a good feeling."

His knowledge of the English pack told him to expect a torrid match on Saturday, with the Kiwis camp reading little into England's 18-18 draw with New Zealand Maori at Auckland last Saturday.

"I know they're going to be fired up. They've got Sam Burgess and Gareth Ellis, who have been going really well in the NRL," Eastwood said.

"(Adrian) Morley will be a loss but I'm sure the other guys coming through will step up, so it's going to be tough in the forwards."

New Zealand were expected to name their squad today with some contentious calls for coach Stephen Kearney, most notably at prop and second row, and also on the wing where Sam Perrett and Jason Nightingale are vying for the one spot behind Manu Vatuvei.

England are doing their homework this week with Roosters coach Brian Smith providing inside knowledge on the Kiwis.

St Helens prop James Graham, 25, has taken over the captaincy in Morley's injury-enforced absence after edging out Ellis and Sean O'Loughlin for the honour.

- NZPA