League: Tomkins fit and keen for test clash

England halfback Sam Tomkins will be fit to face the Kiwis tomorrow night at Westpac Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

England coach Steve McNamara insists key halfback Sam Tomkins will be fit to face the Kiwis in tomorrow's Four Nations opener in Wellington.

BBC commentator Dave Woods reported on the news network's website that Tomkins was unable to finish Wednesday's training session, however McNamara said Wigan's premiership-winning halfback had recovered from a painful blow to the hip suffered in last week's warm-up match against the Maori.

"He's fine, he's good," McNamara said. "He came through practice yesterday with no reaction. He is a very highly competitive person, so he wasn't going to miss this one. He is fit."

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said he would match McNamara's cautious approach, but he isn't expected to make any changes to the line-up he revealed on Wednesday.

Swirling winds and driving rain assaulted the Cake Tin at yesterday's final press conference, prompting McNamara to remark that it was "a bit too mild for us at the minute".

"Come to Odsal [Bradford's Stadium] in November and have a look there. Our players are used to playing in any conditions."

The forecast for tomorrow night is fine and clear.

McNamara said he didn't have any issues with NRL referee Tony Archer being appointed to control the match and he didn't believe his players would have any trouble with Archer's interpretations.

"We are pretty happy with Tony being in charge and we'll play the game as we play the game," he said.

England's assistant coach Brian Smith is impressed with the level of talent in the England ranks but the Roosters supremo is picking the Kiwis to challenge for the title.

"I think New Zealand have got a fantastic chance of winning this year," Smith said.

"They have got an excellent crew of players and they have been under Steve Kearney for three or four years. [Their] systems and organisation, I think they have got it down pat. It is going to be a big, big challenge [for England]."

Part of his job was to dish the dirt on Kiwi Roosters charges Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Frank-Paul Nuuausala, admitted Smith.

Smith, who coached Bradford 15 years ago, said today's English players were much more athletic than in the past.

"I have always found that the English players share a passion for the game that is missing in Australia. These guys have a great passion for the game. They love their rugby league."

Asked whether that passion would be enough to tame the Kiwis, he said: "It is a start."

Kenny-Dowall was last night named International Player of the Year at the New Zealand Rugby League's annual awards.

Meanwhile, England have made three changes to their starting team for tomorrow night.

McNamara initially named a 20-man squad, which was trimmed to 17 today.

Wing Ryan Hall has failed to overcome a hamstring pull arising from last Saturday's 18-18 draw with New Zealand Maori at Auckland, and has been replaced by Darrell Goulding.

There are two changes in the front row.

New captain James Graham will slot straight into Adrian Morley's position, while 35-test prop Stuart Fielden makes the starting lineup.

"[Fielden] played in the Grand Final, which was only two weeks back, so he is pretty fresh, pretty keen and enthusiastic," McNamara said.

Fielden's been named ahead of Darrell Griffin, who drops to the bench.

KIWIS

Lance Hohaia
Jason Nightingale
S. Kenny-Dowall
Junior Sa'u
Manu Vatuvei
Benji Marshall (c)
Nathan Fien
Greg Eastwood
Thomas Leuluai
Adam Blair
Simon Mannering
Bronson Harrison
Jeremy Smith

INTERCHANGE

Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Frank Pritchard, Sika Manu, Sam Perrett

ENGLAND

Gareth Widdop
Tom Briscoe
Michael Shenton
Ryan Atkins
Darrell Goulding
Kevin Brown
Sam Tomkins
James Graham (c)
James Roby
Stuart Fielden
Gareth Ellis
Sam Burgess
Sean O'Loughlin

INTERCHANGE

Eorl Crabtree, Ben Westwood, Darrell Griffin, Luke Robinson

* Westpac Stadium, 8pm tomorrow

- additional reporting by NZPA