Last updated 12:50, Wednesday, 05 November 2008

Cumbrian Rob Purdham is set for his World Cup debut against New Zealand on Saturday after being named in Tony Smith’s 19-strong England squad.

Rob Purdham

And the news has gone down well at Whitehaven, the former Gosforth farmer’s first pro club.

“The club’s proud of him, and he thoroughly deserves it,” said a Haven spokesman today. “He’s a local lad who has played really well this season, whether at loose-forward or half-back.

“He will bring guile and craft, which is just what England need at the moment. James Graham is being rested at the weekend, and while Rob clearly isn’t a prop, the two are very similar players in terms of defence. We need some steel in there, and Rob’s a great tackler.

“There isn’t a lot to play for on Saturday, but I want to see him have a good game and earn a place in the squad for their semi-final against New Zealand to follow.”

With Graham missing, England go into their final pool match with just two specialist props. St Helens team-mates James Roby and Ade Gardner are also rested.

Barring an unlikely victory by Papua New Guinea over Australia in Townsville on Sunday, England and the Kiwis will meet again a week later in the first semi-final in Brisbane.

In addition to Harlequins skipper Purdham, Mickey Higham, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jamie Langley, Paul Sykes and Ben Westwood will come in to consideration to face the Kiwis this week.

Prop Maurie Fa’asavalu is nursing a hand injury while back-rower Jon Wilkin misses out due to facial bruising.

New Zealand make five changes from the team that beat Papua New Guinea 48-6 on the Gold Coast last Saturday.

Coach Tony Smith has decided to rest Man of Steel James Graham, along with his St Helens team-mates James Roby and Ade Gardner, for a game that is being seen as a “dead rubber”.

Barring an unlikely victory by Papua New Guinea over Australia in Townsville on Sunday, England and the Kiwis will meet again a week later in the first semi-final in Brisbane.

With that crunch clash in mind, Smith has taken the opportunity to rotate his squad, with Mickey Higham, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jamie Langley, Rob Purdham, Paul Sykes and Ben Westwood all hoping for a first World Cup appearance after being named in a 19-strong squad.

As the only other specialist hooker in England’s 24-man party, Higham is certain to take the place of Roby, who has been one of the shining lights of England’s first two matches, while winger Lee Smith returns from a foot injury to take over from Gardner.

With prop Maurie Fa’asavalu nursing a hand injury, captain Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley will shoulder the bulk of the front-row work, with Jones-Buchanan favourite to move up from the second row when required.

England’s only other injury absentee is back rower Jon Wilkin, who has facial bruising but is expected to be available for the semi-final.
Prop Evarn Tuimavave will make his debut for New Zealand in place of the rested captain Nathan Cayless.

The call-up of the 24-year-old New Zealand Warrior is one of the five changes made by coach Stephen Kearney to the side which beat Papua New Guinea 48-6 on the Gold Coast last Saturday.

The side will be led by Melbourne back rower Jeremy Smith, who captained the side against Tonga in Auckland last month.

The other change in the starting pack sees David Fa’alogo promoted from the bench in place of second rower Setaimata Sa, with veteran David Kidwell coming on to the bench.

There are two changes in the backline, where winger Jason Nightingale replaces Sam Perrett while Steve Matai returns from suspension at centre for Krisnan Inu.

Wests Tigers forward Bronson Harrison will play his first Test in three years, replacing Sam Rapira on the bench.

England’s 19-man squad (in alphabetical order): R Burrow (Leeds), M Calderwood (Wigan), G Ellis (Leeds), M Gleeson (Warrington), M Higham (Wigan), G Hock (Wigan), J Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), J Langley (Bradford), D McGuire (Leeds), A Morley (Warrington), J Peacock (Leeds, capt), L Pryce (St Helens), R Purdham (Harlequins), K Senior (Leeds), K Sinfield (Leeds), L Smith (Leeds), P Sykes (Bradford), P Wellens (St Helens), B Westwood (Warrington).
New Zealand: L Hohaia (NZ Warriors); J Nightingale (St George Illawarra), S Matai (Manly), J Ropati (NZ Warriors), M Vatuvei (NZ Warriors); B Marshall (Wests Tigers), T Leuluai (Wigan); A Blair (Melbourne), N Fien (NZ Warriors), E Tuimavave (NZ Warriors), S Mannering (NZ Warriors), D Fa’alogo (South Sydney), J Smith (Melbourne, capt).
Subs: I Luke (South Sydney), G Eastwood (Brisbane), B Harrison (Wests Tigers), D Kidwell (South Sydney).