League: Leuluai tipping England upset

Thomas Leuluai. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand hooker Thomas Leuluai is tipping England to shock Australia in next week's Four Nations final at Elland Road.

The hosts stunned the world champions 28-6 at Hull on Saturday as the Kiwis slumped to their 11th defeat in 12 games against the Lions in the UK.

Leuluai, who plays in England for Super League giants Wigan, admitted some of his teammates may have under-estimated Steve McNamara's side and predicted the home side to cause problems when they meet Tim Sheens' men in the decider.

"If England play as well as they did, then they have a great chance of winning," Leuluai said.

"They have a great forward pack and really dominated us, if they can do that again then they can win the Aussies.

"I'm going for the upset an England to win. They play like they did tonight and complete their sets like they did against us - and take their chances they have every chance, they just need to believe they can win.''

Leuluai also tipped his Wigan team-mate Sam Tomkins to be the man the Australians have to watch out for after he ripped apart the Kiwis with a magnificent running display, that also earned him a try at the KC Stadium.

However, he claimed the English forwards hold the key to victory.

"He's special, a real special player,'' said Leuluai.

"I've now found out for the first time what it's like for other teams to face him.

"He is going to be one of their main threats against the Aussies. But for me it is their forward pack.

"If they dominate like they did against us, Sam is going to have time and space to hurt teams.

"I tried to tell the boys how good he is - but talking about stopping him is one thing - doing it is something else."

- AAP