New Zealand captain Benji Marshall says Saturday's clash with England at the KC Stadium will be "a war".
Skipper determined to see of England and reach the final
New Zealand captain Benji Marshall says Saturday's clash with England will be "a war".
The teams go head to head in Hull with a place in the Gillette Four Nations final against Australia the prize for the winner. The losers go out.
"It is a war," Marshall said on Friday. "When you're representing your country against another country, it's how you have to treat it.
"We want to make the final and in order to do that we've got to knock England over."
Marshall's declaration also means his friendship with school-mate Rangi Chase, who will be winning his fourth cap for England after switching allegiance from New Zealand, has been put on hold.
"He's one of my best mates and he'll still be my mate at the end of it but this week he won't be," Marshall added.
"He texted me a few times to catch up but I won't catch up with him this week because we're playing them.
Hug
"That's how it is. When you're playing against someone you're enemies for a short time. As soon as game over, we'll have a hug and be back to normal."
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney was still not yet ready to announce his team when his squad left Leeds for Hull on Friday.
Prop Fuifui Moimoi remains a major doubt as he battles to overcome an ankle injury.
Another front rower, Russell Packer, who missed the Kiwis' opening match against Australia through suspension, is set to replace Sam McKendry, who is ruled out with a broken jaw sustained in last Saturday's 36-0 win over Wales.
"Everyone is pulling through okay," Kearney said. "Alex Glenn came off on Saturday with a bit of shoulder complaint but it seems he will be okay.
"We're just waiting for Fui to see how he reacts. He ran on Wednesday and had another run today with the group.
"If it swells up over the next few hours then we'll probably know it's not right to go. We'll make that call when we get to Hull."
