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Crabtree eager to carry on against Australia
MARAUDING England prop Eorl Crabtree is unconcerned whether Australia have worked out how to negate his destructive strength.
The Huddersfield Giant proved he was no one-match wonder when he followed up his devastating performance against the Kangaroos with an equally dominant burst off the bench versus New Zealand.
Crabtree's explosive impact ensured England secured a
20-12 triumph on his home ground setting up a re-match with Australia in the Gillette Four Nations final at Elland Road on Saturday evening.
Their opponents were visibly stunned by the 18-stone
forward's power at Wigan 10 days ago and failed to quell his off-loading prowess.
Australia, who had never faced Crabtree before, now know what is coming but the imposing
6ft 6ins forward believes that might not necessarily help them.
"I am probably expecting them to try and tackle me differently and I'm sure they'll be more clued up," he said.
"But we say this week-in, week-out in Super League.
"I've gone a full season being pretty destructive over the whole year there.
"I still want to do that this weekend in the final and we'll see what happens."
Sat next to him at a pre-final press conference yesterday, the hardened Australian prop Petero Civoniceva praised Crabtree for his involvement so far.
"He is a giant unit," said the Penrith Panthers veteran, part of a Kangaroos pack charged with the dubious task of reasserting authority this weekend.
"I thought I was a big man. If I'd have known how big he was I'd have put high heels on.
"He really made a difference in the second half against us and has been tremendous.
"He takes some stopping. Sam Burgess did the same and they're two guys we'll have to focus on a lot."
The fact England no longer have to turn solely to their own seasoned front-row campaigners – Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock – is something which imbues confidence ahead of the final.
The likes of Crabtree, Burgess and the quietly achieving Ben Westwood are all lifting the host nation from the bench although Crabtree admits he owes plenty to an Australian for allowing his game to flourish in such spectacular style this season.
The arrival of Nathan Brown as Giants coach proved crucial in the 27-year-old's late development.
"Over the years, other coaches have definitely tried to rein in my off-loads," said Crabtree, the only England player to have his own room in their hotel due to the fact his bed was not big enough for his towering frame.
"They have tried to change the way I play but Nathan came in this year and basically just told me to do what I do well.
"If I'm truthful, I'd doubt I would be here now without him. Nathan Brown has made a massive difference.
"The season before, I wasn't doing any of the fancy stuff. I was just making the hard yards and kind of used as a workhorse.
"But he's asked me to off-load, told me to use a bit of footwork. Baloo's (Paul Anderson) also helped me presenting myself at the line and protecting myself. It's all come together.
"I think Nathan wanted to use me in a more exciting way which is beneficial to the team."
It is certainly proving beneficial for England with coach Tony Smith now having unearthed a new weapon in his arsenal.
He only made his international debut against France in June but Crabtree's late arrival has worked in his favour.
"If you'd asked me a couple of years ago I'd have said I should be there (playing for England) and there's nothing that probably would have changed my mind," he continued.
"I was absolutely gutted and disappointed with the people actually selecting the teams.
"But I believe it's made me a lot stronger person and now it's beneficial to me; I can come in and stand up to the best players in the world."
When Great Britain last reached an international final in the 2004 Tri-Nations, they were blown away by a rampant Australia 44-4.
Hopes were high but quickly dashed that night at Elland Road and Crabtree – one England player who does not want the heavens to open on Saturday given his off-loading potential – admits they cannot slump in the same fashion this time around.
"I know better than anybody the feeling of letting people down because I've been at the Giants for that long where we got relegated, promoted and finished near the bottom of the league," he said.
"I know exactly how it feels. It's disappointing not being able to give the fans something to shout about. It's about time we actually did something and this would be a great place to start."
Australian centre Brett Delaney has been cleared to make his debut for Super League champions Leeds Rhinos in the Boxing Day friendly against Wakefield.
The Gold Coast Titans player, a replacement for Wasps-bound Lee Smith, has received his visa and is due on November 25.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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