The diminutive Burrow is famed for his physical approach on the pitch

England coach Tony Smith says Leeds scrum-half Rob Burrow is up to anything Australia might throw at him when the teams meet in the World Cup on Sunday.

The smallest player in the tournament will go head-to-head with Australia's Johnathan Thurston but Smith said he had no doubts about his man's ability.

"He's a tough little thing and he can put people on their heads," he said.

"He's shown that for years in Super League. Everybody spots him because of his size but I've got no drama."

Thurston produced a man-of-the-match performance in the Kangaroos' opening 30-6 win over New Zealand, despite the personal heartache of the violent death of his uncle less than 48 hours before kick-off.

But the North Queensland captain also injured one of his shoulders, both of which have previously undergone reconstructive surgery.

"He'll get tested at some stage," confirmed Smith.

"We're not going to go out of our way but it's pretty well publicised that he's got a crook shoulder, so I'm sure some of the boys will test him out at some stage."

Australian skipper Darren Lockyer has confirmed he is braced for a bruising encounter when the teams meet in Melbourne.

"Every time I've played England it's always been physical," he said.

"There's a few guys in their pack who like the confrontation so I'm sure they'd like to lead from the front."

Lockyer picked out prop James Graham and interchange stand-off Danny McGuire as two of England's biggest threats.

"Graham is Super League's Man of Steel so obviously he's had a great year and he's in form," said Lockyer.

"He's a player that likes the confrontation and he's another asset to their forward pack.

"They've got some good creativity and McGuire comes on and he offers a fair bit as well."

Having struggled to a 32-22 win over Papua New Guinea in their opening game, Smith's team have already taken a pasting from the Australian media, with one writer suggesting the engraver could start work on the trophy if the Kangaroos win at the Telstra Dome on Sunday.

606: DEBATE There's nothing more dangerous than an Englishman with his back to the wall... rugbyleaguerules

"Obviously they will want to improve a bit but every team is in that boat at the moment," he said.

"I think we've got to give credit to PNG. I thought they played extremely well and for England's first hit-out in warm conditions they did very well."

Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart echoed his captain's sentiments and added that he had been preparing his players for an explosive opening to the game.

"I think you'll find with the English team it will be a traditional Test match," said Stuart.

"Adrian Morley's passion and commitment and his confrontational type of football will be spread right throughout the team."

Thurston was man of the match in Australia's win over New Zealand

England loose forward Kevin Sinfield said the squad had not been phased by the criticism they have received in the Australian press.

"We don't tend to read the papers," said Sinfield. "We knew before we came over we would get a bit of stick.

"We expect the flak and a bit of adversity on the way but we're here to do a job and we'll give it our best shot.

"We are pretty confident. We're not saying we're going to win, we're saying we're going to go out there and do our best."

Sinfield said the squad had worked hard to correct the problems they experienced against PNG.

England have also studied the Kangaroos' win over New Zealand, but had not focused specifically on Lockyer and Thurston.

"If we just think about those two, they would cause us problems elsewhere," said the Leeds skipper.

"They have danger men all over the field. They have a very good dummy-half and a great full-back as well.

"They have a big pack and two giant centres. You can see what we're up against. They're a very good side and they've got strength in depth."

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