RUGBY LEAGUE

AUSSIES TO PACK A PUNCH

CIVONICEVA: Challenge

Wednesday November 11,2009

By Martin Richards

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PETERO CIVONICEVA has warned England that Australia are ready to meet fire with fire at Elland Road on Saturday.

Civoniceva, 33, who will become the most capped forward in Australian history when he plays in his 40th Test in the Four Nations final, expects England’s monster pack to try to blow them off the park in the first 20 minutes.

Kangaroos prop Civoniceva, remembering how much damage Eorl Crabtree and Sam Burgess caused in the second half of Australia’s 26-16 win over England at Wigan, is confident they will not be put on the back foot again.

“England certainly had the momentum in the second half in our last game,” said Civoniceva. “It’s a huge challenge for our forward pack – but one we are up to.

“We know we have to start well against a very big and mobile English pack. We know they are going to be very tough and physical but that’s the way we like it.

“Everyone talks about the quality of our backline but they know the importance of our job in creating the momentum they need.

“Defensively, we’re going to have to smarten up our act . Gareth Ellis has been the best second rower in the NRL this season and you have exciting young forwards like Crabtree, James Graham and Burgess to add to the mix, not forgetting James Roby, who creates a lot of problems for us. ”

But the Aussies have been riled by the way the England pack is being talked up and there could be an element of payback after Brett White, Anthony Watmough, Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis were left concussed at Wigan. “If they bring it, we’re going to take it straight back to them ,” said Watmough.

INTERNATIONAL Rugby League bosses are probing reports of alleged drunken behaviour involving France coach and former GB star Bobbie Goulding at the International awards presentation dinner in Leeds.