Frustrated Crabtree eyes return

DROPPED Huddersfield Giants star Eorl Crabtree has spoken of his "devastation" at his shock exclusion from England's opening Four Nations game but remains unswayed in his ability to hurt Australia if recalled for their must-win contest.

Being relegated to water carrier against New Zealand came as much as a surprise to the strapping prop as it did to everyone else when Steve McNamara named his team last week.

Crabtree had been one of their better performers in the 18-18 draw versus New Zealand Maori but was dumped for the first game in Wellington which the faltering tourists lost 24-10.

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Pressured England must now beat the reigning champions in Melbourne on Sunday to keep alive their hopes of progressing to a second successive final.

"I won't lie, I was devastated," said Crabtree, who was omitted for Stuart Fielden.

"I was frustrated and unhappy at the whole situation of not playing but at the same time I respected Macca's decision.

"I'm a team player, I get my head down, crack on and work hard and hopefully push for a place this week."

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However, McNamara is remaining guarded about his selection policy ahead of the contest and the powerful 28-year-old – who wreaked such havoc on Australia in last season's tournament – remains in the dark.

"I haven't got a clue if I'm playing," said Crabtree.

"I thought I had a good opportunity last week, especially with Moz (Adrian Morley) dropping out. I thought I might have had a place on the bench but it wasn't to be.

"I'm keeping myself fit and doing the right things and looking after the boys as well, getting water to them and things like that. I'll be prepared for the game and, if selected, I'll rip in."

Huddersfield team-mate Luke Robinson is in line for his second cap admitting he has no regrets about putting his rugby league career before his wedding.

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The Halifax-born player should have been in Cyprus marrying his childhood sweetheart Laura but instead is at the heart of England's Four Nations campaign and is certain to be a pivotal player against Australia.

"I am supposed to be a married man now," said the livewire hooker, who may get switched to scrum-half on Sunday.

"The wedding was going to be yesterday but I knew straightaway when the national anthem came on before the New Zealand Maori game that it was the right decision."

The wedding guests, including Laura, went ahead with the trip and Robinson still has the support of his fiance for his bold decision.

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"She is excited for me," he said. "They're pretty much having the time of their lives over there. It's turning into one big holiday so she's having a fabulous time."

The wedding party could not get away from rugby completely, however, with Wigan's former Great Britain scrum-half Paul Deacon proving it is a small world by "gate-crashing" their private function on the day of the Four Nations opener.

"They organised a bar for the New Zealand game and all 60 of them were in there to watch it when Paul Deacon walked past and came in and joined them," said Robinson, whose stellar form for the Giants, ironically, made sure their was no international recall for the ex-Bradford Bulls No7 himself.

The man who alongside Deacon helped plot Wigan's Grand Final victory – Sam Tomkins – insists he can handle the pressure of international rugby league and warns Australia they could play into the tourists' hands if they target him.

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The gifted half-back/full-back is expected to come in for special attention from the Kangaroos at AAMI Park.

But Tomkins, 21, believes there will be enough talented players around him to take on the Aussies if they attempt to nullify his impact on the game.

"I don't really buy into that," he said. "There's pressure on me, just the same as there is on everybody else in the team.

"When you are representing your country, you've got to perform. I don't think I've got any added pressure as such, we've got threats from all across the field. I feel nervous, like anyone would, but I'm comfortable at this level. I've not got too many issues with it now.

"It's the biggest test there is to play against Australia."