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England v New Zealand: Recalled Fox eager to prove point with England
Four nations: HULL KR's Peter Fox is ready to repay Tony Smith's faith in him by helping England reach the Gillette Four Nations final tonight.
The recalled winger looked destined to miss the entire tournament when dropped for the opener versus France.
Hull FC rookie Tom Briscoe was a late call-up, leaping in front of Fox who admitted being left "shattered" by the surprise decision.
But, after Smith axed Briscoe and his entire right-hand side following defeat by Australia, the Rovers wideman is back for the crunch clash against New Zealand this evening.
Victory at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium will secure England a place in the final, probably against the Kangaroos unless they are stunned in Paris, and Fox admitted: "It is the biggest game of my career.
"I've been waiting for this for the last two weeks and now I've got the shout I can't wait.
"I'm hungry for it. I was majorly disappointed not to start against France or Australia.
"That was Tony's decision but now he's put me in it proves he has got faith and belief in me. I've got to go out and do a job for him now."
Fox, who turned 25 on Thursday when he found out about his selection, will form a new partnership with Warrington Wolves centre Chris Bridge.
Smith hopes they will shore up the leaks that cost England so dearly versus Australia but also expects the powerful pair to cause damage of their own to the muscular Kiwis.
"I'm excited by playing alongside Chris," said Fox, whose 18 tries for Rovers this season saw him win a place in the Super League Dream Team.
"I know what he can do. I've played against him and he's very tough to defend against.
"Bridgey's got a great outside step and can put his winger away.
"Hopefully we can come together in defence too. That is our biggest test.
"I'm sure we'll get plenty thrown at us down the right-hand side; the Kiwis are the world champions, big and tough while most teams do attack left but we'll be ready for that."
Fox's rise to the international stage has been unorthodox.
It was Smith, ironically, who released him from Leeds Rhinos three years ago without the Academy product having never played a first-team game.
He went out to his hometown National League Two side York City Knights on loan, enjoying a prolific season in 2006, and never losing sight of his Super League dream.
Impressed Wakefield Trinity Wildcats spotted his raw talent and he earned a move to Belle Vue where he bagged 12 tries in 24 outings the following year.
Hull KR then snapped Fox up and he has blossomed further under Robins coach Justin Morgan.
"He has had an immense impact on my game," said the York Acorn junior, ahead of his fourth cap.
"Justin has given me lot of confidence, especially in defence.
"I know that will be tested by the Kiwis but I've enjoyed defending all year. Justin's worked on me and hopefully I can come up with the goods in that department.
"Obviously it was our weakness last time (against Australia) and I'll be looking to make sure I have a big defensive game but he's brought my ball carrying on as well and developed me into a more direct runner."
Fox also paid tribute to the impact of England's backroom team for the way in which they helped him overcome his disappointment of a fortnight ago.
"I had a few words with Kris Radlinksi and Steve McNamara," explained the player, who suffered similar heartache when missing out on the World Cup last year. "I was shattered when I found out I wasn't playing France but they took me to one side that night and the next day I was fresh as a daisy.
"They said how it's a 24 man squad and we've all got to work together whether playing or not.
"If we do that we've more chance of winning and I just knuckled down.
"It was the same after the Australia disappointment. It's actually matured me as a player and I knew eventually I could get a shot at it.
"That's come around now. I'm over the moon but being selected is just the first step – now I've got to go out, do well and help us win."
FORMER Hull FC player Ronnie Wileman has died after suffered a heart attack at the age of 55.
The hooker – a big fans favourite at the Boulevard – made his debut for Hull in 1979 against Castleford and helped them win the Floodlit Trophy later that season.
He went on to play 87 first- team games for Hull, including the 1980 and 1982 Challenge Cup finals, scoring 23 tries.
A full obituary will appear in next Saturday's Yorkshire Post.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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