League: Kiwis prop makes swift recovery

Kiwis forward Adam Blair. Photo / Getty

Adam Blair is set to start for the Kiwis in tomorrow's first test against England, after the Co-captain came through a rigorous fitness test today in Hull.

Blair had looked a doubtful starter in the buildup to this test, after sustaining a calf injury in the tour opener against Leeds.

But he has surprised the Kiwis medical staff with the progress, and coach Stephen Kearney has seen enough to select him in the starting XIII.

"Adam has played over 30 test matches and he knows his body better than anyone else," said Kearney.

"He has worked really hard this week...and he has had a rigorous workout this morning. I was always pretty confident that if he felt confident then he would take his place. And I saw that we had pushed him as far as he could."

The Broncos prop will start at lock tomorrow for the Kiwis. The positions in the middle of the field are almost interchangeable in the modern day game but it also probably reflects a desire from Kearney to have both his captains on the field from the start of the match.

He's also given a start to Sam Moa, perhaps expecting the former Hull FC prop to feed off the big reception at the KC Stadium.

Kearney, who is looking for his sixth successive test victory tomorrow, is unconcerned that the home side are favoured by bookmakers on both sides of the world.

"I guess it means something to the punters but it doesn't mean nothing to myself, said Kearney of England's favourites tag. "To the outsider it might seem that way but we have a belief that the culture and what we have built over the last 18 months will stand us in good stead tomorrow."

Kearney also played down fears about the inexperience of his squad, saying he has noticed the team evolve markedly over the ten days on tour.

"I've seen the whole group grow," said Kearney. "[Last] Friday night [against Leeds] was a good marker for us and we have seen where we are at. I was pleased with the session today and we need to take it to the park tomorrow."

- By Michael Burgess in Hull

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