Thomas Leuluai may not like being one of the old men in the New Zealand rugby league team, but the half-back knows he will need to call on all of his experience when the Kiwis take on England in today’s decisive Four Nations clash.
At only 26 it would appear harsh to label Leuluai a veteran, but in a New Zealand touring party that includes seven debutants, the only Super League-based player has had to take on more leadership responsibilities.
That experience is certain to be put to the test at Hull’s KC Stadium today when they take on an England side that impressed despite falling to a 36-20 defeat to Australia at Wembley.
With a place in the final against Australia up for grabs, Leuluai admits that his side will need to improve on their performances in defeating Wales and falling to the Kangaroos if they are to defend their Four Nations crown.
“We definitely have more improvements in us from the second half [against Wales]. We lacked a bit of intensity and made some silly errors,” said Leuluai, who is in line to make his 30th Test appearance today. This would move him ahead of his father, James, who played 29 Tests for the Kiwis from 1979 to 1986.
“Most of the boys I’ve known for a while, but there’s not too many my age anymore, they’re all younger than me so I feel like a granddad,” he said. “I think we have seven debutants on the tour which is great for the team, but we need to make sure we improve to have a chance to win this thing.”
Kiwi head coach Stephen Kearney, who used to call the KC Stadium home during his final season as a player in Super League with Hull, has delayed announcing his team.
However, apart from Penrith Panther Sam McKendry missing with a broken jaw suffered against Wales, Kearney has a full strength squad to draw from.
Meanwhile, England head coach Steve McNamara has a few concerns in the forwards, with Canterbury Bulldogs-bound James Graham, Jamie Peacock and Wests Tigers’ Gareth Ellis all battling to prove themselves ahead of today’s match.
However, winger Ryan Hall, who blitzed Australia with two tries in a virtuoso individual display at Wembley, has issued a rallying cry to his teammates ahead of the encounter.
“This is the strongest squad we’ve had for a number of years now and it’s not just me who thinks that. We’ve got to treat the game against New Zealand like it’s a semi-final in the playoffs,” the Leeds Rhino said.
“We’ve come a long way in 12 months and we showed in patches last week against Australia how good we are and that they are beatable,” he added.
In the other clash Australia take on Wales in Wrexham, secure in the knowledge that their passage through to the final at Elland Road next Saturday is already secured.
Head coach Tim Sheens does have a couple of selection headaches, with Melbourne Storm full-back Billy Slater out for the rest of the tournament with a broken collarbone and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagle center Tony Williams suspended after his high tackle last weekend.
Wests Tigers’ Robbie Farah has also returned home after his mother was diagnosed with a serious illness, but Sheens, who looks set to rest captain Darren Lockyer, is confident his squad have the required versatility to cope.
“None of my centers are right centers, they all play on the left,” he said. “I’m happy with the way the boys are performing in different positions.”
Today: England v New Zealand (Hull)
Tomorrow: Wales v Australia (Wrexham)
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