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Size matters as Giants forward gets call from Smith
TONY SMITH says Huddersfield Giants prop Eorl Crabtree has earned his long-awaited England opportunity with the coach showing his belief that size will be crucial in tomorrow's Four Nations tie against Australia.
In selecting the towering front-row, Super League's biggest player, Smith admitted Crabtree's presence is a crucial asset ahead of the contest at Wigan's DW Stadium.
"Eorl's a big boy and he certainly adds size for us," he said, after selecting him on the bench and dropping Giants colleague Scott Moore.
"I think he's had a tremendous season. Even when Huddersfield have had a couple of lean spells he's still been a shining light for them."
Crabtree was unavailable for last week's opener against France due to minor knee surgery, having already sat out the mid-season contest in Paris injured, but finally makes his full international debut at 27.
Crabtree earlier played for a second-string England during the European Nations Cup but it is the stunning form in Huddersfield's journey to Wembley and their third-place finish in Super League that saw him rise to Smith's attention.
"He's had a big impact for Huddersfield off the bench, with his off-loads and second phase play and Eorl's just a big man to handle," added Smith.
"We like the sound of that. He's ready for it. He's been itching for this opportunity for years and years now."
Smith's only other change is the introduction of Wigan's exciting Super League Young Player of the Year Sam Tomkins in place of fellow half-back rookie Richard Myler, who scored twice against France.
"Richie has still got a bit of a head knock but Sam was going to get a chance this week," he said."It gives us a chance to compare the two and decide which way we go for the final week."
Smith demonstrates his desire for power against the favourites, who could only draw against New Zealand last week, by moving prop Jamie Peacock to second row and starting James Graham in the front.
Bradford Bulls' Sam Burgess drops to the bench where Smith now has an extra forward – Crabtree – after sacrificing a second hooker.
Having promoted James Roby to the starting line-up and axed Moore, Smith said: "Scotty didn't have the happiest of outings last week and paid a price for it."
England: S Briscoe (Hull KR); T Briscoe (Hull), Smith (Leeds), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); McGuire (Leeds), Tomkins (Wigan); Morley (Warrington), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Ellis (Wests Tigers), Peacock (Leeds), Sinfield (Leeds). Substitutes: Eastmond (St Helens), Burgess (Bradford), Westwood (Warrington), Crabtree (Huddersfield).
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Friday 10 February 2012
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