Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield has promised that England will provide much stiffer opposition to New Zealand this weekend than they offered the Kiwis in last year's World Cup.

The Kiwis beat England 32-22 in the World Cup semi-final 12 months ago before going on to surprise Australia in the final.

Sinfield knows England were below-par that day but expects Tony Smith's side to build on their second-half display against the Wallabies on Saturday by offering New Zealand a greater challenge in what is essentially a Four Nations semi-final clash at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium.

Australia are virtually guaranteed a place in the final after drawing with New Zealand in their opening game before beating England at the DW Stadium on the same day that the Kiwis thrashed France.

Sinfield said of the forthcoming encounter: "This is a massive game for both countries.

"It's a semi-final, and no one wants to lose a semi-final. It's a similar situation to how it was in the World Cup last year, when we came up short against the Kiwis.

"A few of the boys were involved in that match. We haven't forgotten how it felt at the end - and we're all looking to put it right."