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Kangaroos expecting more Kiwis-style bash

By STEVE JANCETIC - AAP
Last updated 12:35 27/10/2009

Heartbreak for the Kiwis in the Four Nations League, with a late try costing them another upset win over Australia.

New Zealand's Iosia Soliola hammes Australia's Ben Hannant of Australia in tackle during the two sides' 20-all draw in the Four Nations rugby league tournament.
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OVER THE TOP: New Zealand's Iosia Soliola hammes Australia's Ben Hannant of Australia in tackle during the two sides' 20-all draw in the Four Nations rugby league tournament.

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Australia expect England to take a leaf out of the Kiwis playbook and attempt to bash the Kangaroos out of their Four Nations rugby league match in Wigan this weekend.

The Aussies kicked-off their preparation for this weekend's must-win clash with a review of last Sunday morning's (NZ time) 20-20 draw with the Kiwis in London.

But the video review could just as well have been labelled a game two preview with the English set to stick with the monster pack that tormented France in the tournament opener in a bid to rumble over their Australian counterparts.

"I think it's going to be a similar approach to what we had against New Zealand - everyone knows that the Kiwis' strength is their forward pack and looking at England, with guys like (Jamie) Peacock and (Adrian) Morley up front, there's no secret that that's where they're coming from," Kangaroos hooker Cameron Smith said.

"I know our boys are up for it - Petero (Civoniceva) played outstanding again the other night, Brett White and Ben Hannant were really strong and the guys playing against a side that were really taking it to us didn't take a backward step.

"I know they'll do another good job."

Such was the physical toll of Saturday night's bruising encounter with New Zealand that coach Tim Sheens has not scheduled a training session until Tuesday, with recovery set to dominate the early part of the preparation.

"They stuck it to us - I know all the boys were sore," lock Anthony Watmough said.

"(After the game) we all just went back and sat in ice baths for a couple of minutes."

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