Good start vital but not everything for England

The tourists' chances have been written off by the majority of the pundits, largely on the basis of their inability to hold onto an 18-0 lead in their warm-up match against the Maori, as well as the loss of their inspirational leader Adrian Morley.

The Kiwis, who look to have an even stronger team than the one which lifted the World Cup in 2008, are buoyed by an impressive performance in last week's 50-6 win over Samoa.

The return of Graham, who was rested against the Maori, is one of three changes made by McNamara for a game that could make or break England's Four Nations prospects.

New Zealand scrum-half Nathan Fien has dubbed it "do or die", even though the Kiwis fancy their chances of toppling Australia at Auckland's Eden Park next month.

England know a defeat here in Wellington would make next week's clash with the Kangaroos in Melbourne a must-win game.

"I don't think it's do or die but it's very important to get off to a good start," said Graham. "Otherwise you are almost going into cup rugby straight away – lose and you're out."

Coach Stanley Gene has included five Yorkshire-based players in his squad to face Australia in the Four Nations in Sydney tomorrow.

Michael Mark (Hunslet), Jessie Joe Parker (Featherstone) and Menzie Yere (Sheffield) make up the bulk of the Kumuls' threequarter line and Halifax's Makali Aizue will win his 21st cap in the front row.

Hunslet hooker Charlie Wabo, who made his international debut against England in the 2008 World Cup, is on the bench.

Gareth Thomas is prepared to play "on one leg" to help Wales reach the 2011 Four Nations Series.

That is the prize at stake in today's Alitalia European Cup decider against France in Albi.

"I'm still kind of playing on one leg and shouldn't really be back," said Thomas. "But the chance of playing for Wales was too good to miss."