Crabtree ready to face Australia

Giant forward Eorl Crabtree is hoping to get the chance to "rip in" against Australia this weekend after being surprisingly dropped for England's Four Nations opener.

The 6ft 7in Huddersfield prop played in England's warm-up match against New Zealand Maori 10 days ago but made way for the return of Wigan's Stuart Fielden in last Saturday's 24-10 defeat by the Kiwis in Wellington, where he acted as a water carrier.

"I won't lie, I was devastated," he said. "I was frustrated and unhappy at the whole situation of not playing but at the same time I respected Macca's decision. I'm a team player, I get my head down, crack on and work hard and hopefully push for a place next week."

After attending a media session at the team's Melbourne city centre hotel, the 28-year-old Crabtree went rock climbing with the rest of the England squad today while coach Steve McNamara kept his selection plans under wraps for Sunday's must-win clash with the Kangaroos at AAMI Stadium.

"I haven't got a clue if I'm playing," he said. "I thought I had a good opportunity last week, especially with Moz (Adrian Morley) dropping out.

"I thought I might have had a place on the bench but it wasn't to be. I'm keeping myself fit and doing the right things and looking after the boys as well, getting water to them and things like that. I'll be prepared for the game and, if selected, I'll rip in."

England face a tough test against the holders, who arrived in Melbourne on Monday after opening their Four Nations campaign with a 42-0 win over Papua New Guinea on Sunday.

McNamara's men are being given little chance by the bookmakers but Crabtree believes there were enough positives from their opening defeat to give them confidence going into Sunday's do-or-die battle.

"It's more about attitudes," he said. "There is confidence in the camp, especially after last week.

"I know we started pretty poorly but we did get better and we took confidence out of the fact that we can score points. It was just a few little lapses that cost us."

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