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England vow to step it up after World Cup scare

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Warning: England captain Peacock

England captain Jamie Peacock insists his side will improve on their unconvincing opening display when they face Australia in the second week of the World Cup.

Tony Smith's men were forced to come from behind to beat Pool One minnows Papua New Guinea 32-22 in an entertaining tussle at the Dairy Farmers Stadium.

England's victory virtually ensures they will qualify for the semi-finals, regardless of the outcome of their remaining group matches against the Kangaroos and New Zealand.


But Peacock, who was one of England's best performers on Saturday, said: 'The World Cup is not won in the first game.

'We know there are areas where we need to vastly improve and I think we're used to that in Super League, improving on your performance from the week before.'

Trailing 12-6 after 28 minutes, the fired-up Kumuls stung England with three tries in the second quarter to lead 16-12 at the break.

England were indebted to coach Smith's interval pep talk as they began to match their opponents' first-half passion.

St Helens winger Ade Gardner added to his first-half try and Leeds winger Lee Smith completed his hat-trick on his debut as England used the width of the pitch to take advantage of a tiring Kumuls side.

'Smithy [coach Tony Smith] got it covered at half-time and we came out and played a lot better in the second half,' said Peacock.

'I had confidence in the players alongside me. It was a matter of sticking to it in the second half.'

Smith added: 'Credit to my boys, we knew we were a bit off and to improve in the second half, was more of what England are about.'

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