Their second-half fightback versus Australia last weekend certainly offered encouraging signs of their potential but the Leeds Rhinos captain now believes it is time to deliver for the whole match – not only to earn their place in the Gillette Four Nations final but to bolster the English game as a whole.

"It is important (we win)," said Sinfield, ahead of the crucial contest – now effectively a semi-final – at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium.

"We need to realise there are two very good nations in New Zealand and Australia and to beat either one you need to be at your very, very best.

"We've put two 40-minute efforts in so far against the French and Australia. We now need an 80-minute performance and if we can put that together we'll give ourselves a chance.

"It's about time we came up with something."

England lost out against the Kiwis in last year's World Cup semi-final and not since 2004, under the guise of Great Britain, have the international side reached a tournament final.

Australia had for so long been out in front but New Zealand have also recently stolen a march on the home nation winning two of the last three international competitions.

But Sinfield proved pivotal as England recovered from 26-0 down after just 32 minutes to push the Kangaroos close on Saturday and insists they are in better shape than ever before to end their drought.

He added: "Super League had a battering in the World Cup last year and probably I can imagine a lot of people were disgruntled and disappointed about what we put out in the first half against Australia.

"But in the second we put a bit of pride back into Super League and into ourselves. When we got playing, we caused Australia some problems and it was very enjoyable to be a part of. Now we have to do it for 80 minutes against New Zealand."

The squad is unified – "no one is spitting dummies out or carrying on" – and spirit is high.

It is hard to imagine the side that collapsed 52-4 to Australia in Melbourne last year responding in the same positive fashion shown at Wigan where the game finished 26-16.

The previously untouchable Kangaroos were kept scoreless for 48 minutes and made to look vulnerable.

Coach Tony Smith had a full squad training yesterday all eager to press their claims to make this week's 17 against a typically fiery New Zealand side.

For once, after so many years of doubt, Sinfield will not have any concerns about his own position.

If the loose forward's display against France started to answer questions about his worthiness as an international player, his actions versus the Kangaroos completely silenced them.

Sinfield was a constant threat, whether organising in his usual midfield role and attacking the line or potently linking from dummy half when he switched to hooker after the break.

He delivered possibly his most convincing Test performance yet and explained: "Tony and Steve (McNamara) have put some faith in me this time.

"They've said go and do what you do for Leeds.

"It's the first time it's been like that instead of trying to change what I do and make me into something I'm not.

"I'm not a 16-stone guy who can punch holes in people. I play a little bit different to that.

"To be given that opportunity is fantastic and to have some young guys around who have some real special qualities in and around broken play has been great as well."

Livewire scrum-half Sam Tomkins and replacement centre Kyle Eastmond – both just 20 – thrived alongside Sinfield during that second-half resurgence and the latter could be promoted to the starting line-up against the Kiwis.

Sinfield's Leeds team-mate Danny McGuire was jeered from the field when he was replaced at the weekend, something Smith was unhappy about, but the mis-firing stand-off is likely to get another opportunity to atone for his errors.

England's coach is set to inform his players of his selection today and said: "They're all bouncing at the moment and showing how good they can be. I've got a few decisions to make but that's a good position to be in."