Smith doubtful for Australia tie

[josie andrews]

England coach Tony Smith has rated Lee Smith as doubtful for Sunday's World Cup match against Australia.

The debutant winger, who has a foot injury, scored a hat-trick as England claimed a 32-22 victory over Papua New Guinea in their opening game.

"From the weekend, Lee Smith is a bit of a concern," said Tony Smith. "He's got to be doubtful at this stage."

"If he's fit he'll play and if not he won't, We're not willing to risk anybody this early in the tournament."

Smith trained away from the main group on Monday with his foot encased in a moon boot.

Australia are the reigning world champions and overwhelming favourites for the tournament and Tony Smith said his side has a number of deficiencies the need to be ironed out before Sunday.
Lee Smith is fast becoming the hottest property in world rugby

"We'll have a look at that (Australia's 30-6 victory against New Zealand) over a period of time and certainly we're working on our deficiencies and some areas that we weren't as good as we needed to be and even some areas that we're good at that we were just a bit below par," he said.

"It's all about making sure our strengths are up to speed and exploiting weaknesses where they are in the opposition and we'll do that throughout the week."

Smith is prepared to put Saturday's match and lack of cohesion for periods down to the fact that it was the first game the players had been part of for some time and their first hit-out together in even longer.

"It's good to get that one out of the road, it was a few weeks since some of the players played, some of them hadn't played since our grand final and they've done various things since then so (there were) a few cobwebs there," he said.

"It was the first time these guys have been together for a little while too so we were a bit below par, we were a bit disappointed in some aspects but having viewed it again there were some very good things and some things that we certainly need to brush up on."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 692459.stm

[turf]

We could do without him being out??

[shawcross da warrior]

certainly could, but we have good cover...

i fear for the england player that faces israel falou becuase he looked on fire against NZ...

[gpartin]

We could do without him being out??

I'm glad, I wanted Calders in.

[josie andrews]

I'm glad, I wanted Calders in.

SMITH SET TO TURN TO CALDERWOOD
http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleagu ... rwood.html