Click here to read about Tony Smith's first World Cup squad.

Click here to read John Ledger's World Cup breakfast briefing.

Smith was scheduled to announce his team earlier today and last night dropped a heavy hint that Hock, a player who is widely regarded as the nearest England have to a Willie Mason-style enforcer, is poised to take to the field at the Dairy Farmers Stadium in the North Queensland city from the outset.

Hock's involvement in the 10-nation tournament – and his international future – were put in doubt in July when he was banned for five matches after being found guilty of grabbing the arm of referee Ian Smith during Wigan's defeat by Huddersfield.

The 25-year-old also missed last season's Test series against the Kiwis through suspension and while there are few doubts about his ability, the same cannot be said of his temperament.

That flaw could prove costly in the heat of a World Cup battle, especially against a team as physically imposing as the Kumuls, but Smith said he was confident Hock had what it takes to give his best for England.

"I admire the way Gareth Hock plays: when he makes good decisions he's fantastic," said Smith. "I have faith in him that he will make more good decisions than bad ones.

"If we can get him playing tough and with discipline he will be a fair player throughout this event, not just on Saturday."

Smith said had he not been injured Hock would have played in the mid-season Test against France in June, since when his form merits selection this weekend.

The national coach also spoke to the powerful, strong-running back row in the wake of his shaming by the RFL disciplinary committee and praised him for the way he responded having reached the lowest point in his international career.

"He's acted for the best and shown a lot of maturity this year and I'd like to reward him with a bit of faith," said Smith. "I think we will really trouble the Kumuls, he's the logical person to throw into the fray.

"He won't let himself or his country down."

The England squad arrived in Townsville after spending a week in camp at Carrara on the Gold Coast and will train at the venue for the World Cup pool game early tomorrow evening to help them acclimatise to the sweltering hot conditions.

The Papuans have been further north in Cairns and were in good spirits as they went walkabout in Townsville yesterday when Hull KR duo Stanley Gene and Makali Aizue mixed freely with the first wave of English fans who had flown in to watch Saturday's match.

The conditions are more likely to suit England's opponents – not that Gene and Aizue have often experienced such heat and humidity at Craven Park – but Smith was dismissive of suggestions his players may find it difficult to adapt.

"We have done what we can to adapt to the physical side of Saturday's match, now it's just about mentally coming to terms with the conditions. The climate doesn't bother us."

Gene and Aizue have both been named in the starting line by Papua coach Adrian Lam, who has opted for an inexperienced bench comprised exclusively of players from the domestic competition in New Guinea.

However, the Rovers duo are joined by a wealth of experience, including their captain John Wilshere, the Salford full-back, and five players drawn from NRL clubs. "We saw them in action against an Australia President's XIII a few weeks ago and that gave us a good insight into what we can expect," said Smith.

"They are a typical physical New Guinean team who like to have the ball in their hands. When they do they're tough work but it might be a bit of a test for them when we get our hands on the ball."

Papua New Guinea: J Wilshere (Salford, capt); G Kepa (Brisbane Norths), JJ Parker (Masta Mark Rangers), T Maori (Sydney Roosters), D Moore (Gold Coast); R Griffin (Northern Pride), K Peters (Penrith); M Aizue (Hull KR), P Aiton (Penrith), T Exton (Ipswich), N Costigan (Canberra), J Nightingale (Windsor Wolves), S Gene (Hull KR). Substitutes (from): R Pora (M & J Muruks), G Moni (M & J Muruks), J Chan (Windsor Wolves), C Wabo (M&J Muruks), N Kolo (Masta Mark Rangers), A Kui (Bingtangor Lahanis), M Yere (Agmark Gurias).