Kangaroos in need of fast start: Sheens - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Kangaroos in need of fast start: Sheens

By Steve Jancetic 31/10/2009 12:23:16 PM Comments (0)

Australian coach Tim Sheens says his side can't afford a slow start in Saturday's Four Nations clash with England for fear a packed DW Stadium could the carry the home side to victory.

While the Kangaroos go into the game as warm favourites, Sheens admits the pressure of the situation and a parochial crowd at the 25,000-seat venue could make it tough for his team should they fall behind early.

Australia went down 6-0 early in their 20-all draw against New Zealand last weekend, with Sheens claiming the scoreboard pressure had played a role in his side's patchy performance.

"We're going to have to generate a lot of energy from within the team and get away to a good start and take the crowd out of it," Sheens said.

"(We need to) play the right field position and keep the English as far away from our tryline as possible.

"It will be an intense game - I think people will get their money's worth, I think it will be a full house and the guys will play accordingly.

"They would like to win it, we have to win it so there's a certain amount of intensity from our side as well."

The Australians bypassed a training run at DW Stadium, preferring instead to stay in Leeds where they held their final session on Friday morning before travelling to Wigan later in the day.

While they won't have a run at the match venue, there are plans for a walk on the surface late on Friday.

All 19 members of the squad came through the session unscathed, with Trent Waterhouse and Kurt Gidley confirmed as the two players to come off the extended bench.

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