KEY POINTS:
The England five-eighths Leon Pryce is something of an enigma, the sort of puzzle the Kiwis can do without in their World Cup semifinal this weekend.
Pryce has enough silverware individually and as a team performer to prove his worth in holding his test spot for 17 games
in the Great Britain team and now eight for England.
He has turned big games the way of his side and broken open tight finals with moments of brilliance.
But the Aussies don't rate him. The Kangaroos destroyed him and he left the field with a rib injury in the 52-4 rout a fortnight ago.
Pryce was recently labelled "world's best rugby league player" but that prompted varying views to be expressed on sports forums: "He's like Inglis but twice as big, twice as strong, twice as fast and twice as skilful," said one punter; another replied "I could name two or three better than Pryce in the England team itself".
In its Cup coverage, the BBC laments England's poor return after a big-spending campaign and declares they have little chance of progressing, with one proviso: "Please Leon Pryce, show us what you've got."
Pryce, nickname "Fresh Prince," endeared himself to the tournament hosts with the following quote two years ago: "Australia's not all it's made out to be. All the Aussies come over and say how good it is, but I'd much rather be back in Bradford. I'd rather be on Blackpool Beach than Bondi Beach."
At present he faces an assault charge after being accused of breaking into a house in Bradford, the case called up in the magistrate's court this week and held over for a not guilty hearing. At age 22 he was sentenced to 120 hours community service after "glassing" a former Bradford trainer, causing 12 facial cuts that required 48 stitches.
He has twice been found guilty of "bag snatching" and received a three-match ban for squeezing the testicles of Sam Burgess, avoiding suspension in the second case because contact was deemed to be minimal.
In 2007 he was named in the Super League "Dream Team" and was also voted "dirtiest player".
He spends his days off working with community youth groups.
The enigma.
In mid-year Pryce was man-of-the-match when England beat France. Lately the 27-year-old has been poor. But if Pryce fires tomorrow night, the Kiwis are in trouble.
His coach Tony Smith backs him to do just that. "I am sure with a bit of confidence he will get back on top. He's very determined to get back to his best."
Pryce was originally selected for Great Britain by Bradford coach Brian Noble as a winger. He has always expressed his desire to get his hands on the ball more frequently than a winger does and it was former Warriors and Kiwis coach Daniel Anderson who switched Pryce to five-eighth when he shifted from the Bulls to St Helens in 2005.
Pryce explains his approach: "It's a progression. In my first year it was a matter of finding my bearings and I think last year I had a good year but I probably wasn't fit enough to make an impact for the full 80.
"This year I've basically done what I knew I could do and I know I can do a lot more. You never stop learning and you should keep improving each year."
He will be looking to get involved against the Kiwis at Suncorp Stadium given his stated aims.
"I want to be playing the full game in a pivotal role. I want to dominate my position and dominate Super League. I still feel I have things to prove in league."
After a great season for Saints, marred only by the loss to Leeds in the grand final, Anderson declared himself "one of his biggest fans, there's no doubt about it. The more he touches the ball, the better we look.
He's good defensively, he chases back and he makes things happen. He's scoring tries and setting up tries. He's got a big voice now in the dressing room."
At 193cm and close to 100kg, Pryce has the size and power to muscle over the Kiwi forwards, let alone their halves. His height gives him arm's length to get off-loads away. He has a great pass, footwork to step in traffic and a deceptively loping run that includes a good turn of acceleration.
If Pryce resurrects his form and cuts the Kiwis up the middle, England has the support players to finish his moves with points.
Pryce is their pivot in more ways than one.
LEON PRYCE
* Born October 9, 1981, Bradford, England.
* 193cm, 99kg, five-eighth.
* Captained England Schoolboys aged 16.
* Bradford 1999-2005, 190 games.
* St Helens 2006-2008, 68 games.
* Man of the Match Super League grand final 2005.
* Joint winner of the Lance Todd Medal for best player in the Challenge Cup final 2007 (with Paul Wellens).
