Hodgson's chief aim is to meet his own standards

The Yorkshireman has been a revelation for Canberra Raiders since they bought him from Hull KR for £100,00 two years ago.

He helped the NRL club get to within 80 minutes of the Grand Final this season and was so good he was in the running for the Dally M Medal as the competition’s best player.

Hodgson will line up against Smith, the revered Melbourne Storm and Queensland legend long rated the world’s best No 9, when England face the Kangaroos on Sunday.

But the ex-Hull FC player batted away questions on whether he is nearing the same class as the 2007 Golden Boot winner.

“I just don’t like to compare myself to people,” said the 27-year-old.

“I want to be my own player. I have my own values, beliefs and expectations of myself and try to live up to them rather than compare to anyone.

“It’s always nice to play against the world’s best, but I don’t really like to look at individual battles. I just worry about myself and what I need to do for the team.

“As long as I’m doing that and if all 17 blokes turn up Sunday and give their best, there’s no reason why we won’t get the job done against Australia.”

England need a first win over the Kangaroos since 1995 to have any chance of making the final.

Hull KR have signed scrum-half Jamie Ellis from Huddersfield Giants on a season-long loan and confirmed the exits of Josh Mantellato, Albert Kelly, Mitch Allgood, Kevin Larroyer and John Boudebza.