We want Rooney fired up to be at his best – Defoe

Rooney appeared wound up when he appeared as a second-half substitute during England's win over Platinum Stars yesterday in their final warm-up game for the finals.

The Manchester United striker was guilty of a late challenge on Kagiso Senamela and was then booked for dissent. He had appeared in a similar frame of mind in the international with Japan in Graz 10 days ago.

But Defoe leapt to the defence of the 24-year-old, who was sent off in the 2006 quarter-final against Portugal.

The Tottenham striker said: "If under control, I think Wayne's temper is a good thing.

"When you've got that fire in your belly as a player (it can be good). If you take that away from Wayne, then he won't be the same player."

Defoe also feels England are ready for the World Cup to begin after having the winning mentality instilled into them by Fabio Capello.

Defoe was among the scorers, along with Joe Cole and Rooney, in the win against the Stars, the final match before Saturday's opening group game with the USA in Rustenburg.

But he admits England still have to fully adjust to the altitude in South Africa following two weeks in an Austrian training camp.

Defoe said: "It was a really good workout. With the conditions, the altitude and the heat, it made it difficult, but it helped with the fitness for what is ahead.

"You do notice the altitude here when you're running around. It's different, and we're a lot higher here than we were in Austria but I'm sure we'll get used to it in training.

"I don't think we could be better prepared for a World Cup. I think everything we've done – the training, the fitness work – has been spot on.

"The hotel is brilliant. We've got everything we need, so the preparation has been good and, if you prepare right, you get results.

"I think we're ready. I was speaking to Wayne Rooney this morning and we were just saying you just want it to start."

Defoe converted a cross from captain Steven Gerrard for the third-minute opener

Rooney set up Joe Cole – the only England player to complete 90 minutes – for the second after the interval and then scored the third himself.

But it was an unconvincing and, at times, pretty awful display in their practice match against local South African league side Platinum Stars.

Capello claimed the second half against Japan had represented a major step forward. This was an even bigger stride backwards.

The Italian can only hope the standard of opposition – limited, yet hugely spirited – failed to bring the best out of his team because if that is not the case, England's stay in South Africa seems destined to be a brief one.

Having previously declared his intended starting line-up for Saturday's opener against the United States would all get 45 minutes, the guessing game began as to whether – with the notable exception of Rooney – Capello had begun with it here.

It would indicate a willingness to hand Joe Hart the first international competitive start of his career, although the young goalkeeper has apparently been impressive in training, and also that Ledley King was set to partner John Terry.

Yet if that was the case, few did themselves any favours against a side that finished last term in the bottom half of their table and were plucked off their holidays for this specially arranged game.

Hart forgot himself at one point and reacted badly when he was admonished by his manager for the time he took over a clearance.

If that had been the total of England's problems, it would not have been too bad.

But Ashley Cole was given a torrid time by Joseph Molongoane, Glen Johnson was panicked into giving away a clumsy penalty, Defoe provided the most of a long list of aimless passes, and Peter Crouch headed a decent chance woefully wide.

With new captain Steven Gerrard paired in central midfield with Frank Lampard, there was a disappointing lack of impetus and Shaun Wright-Phillips failed to make any impression after an impressive second-minute contribution.

The one player who did look lively was Joe Cole, who remained on the field for the second half, giving him ample opportunity to claim the left-sided berth for the weekend.

One player who will not be involved on Saturday is Gareth Barry who last night confirmed he will sit out England's World Cup opener.

Barry has made a quicker than expected recovery from the ankle injury he suffered with Manchester City at the beginning of May.

Having been given a deadline of June 13, the day after the United States encounter in Rustenburg, to begin full training, the 29-year-old will actually start playing a major part in all sessions from today.

However, Barry said that he had 'been told I'm not playing against USA to give me more time'.