MCGUIRE HOPES TO SILENCE BOO-BOYS

Leeds stand-off McGuire is under pressure to keep his place against New Zealand on Saturday after a poor showing at Wigan. But he is the squad’s most experienced back and Smith would be loath to drop a man who can still turn a game.

“I was disappointed with some areas of my game but I know what I need to do to put things right. I hope Tony gives me a chance to help the boys build on what we did in the second half last Saturday,” said McGuire.

The players will be told of the line-up today before it is officially announced in the morning, but Smith has no injury worries and will pick from strength.

“We put a lot of pressure on Australia and although we should have done better we took a lot of confidence from that performance,” added McGuire.

“Our job now is to carry on where we left off and show what we can do over the full 80 minutes. We all know we only have this one match to get it right.”

McGuire was in the side that lost to a New Zealand team inspired by Benji Marshall in the World Cup semi-final last November but believes they are beatable.

“They are a fantastic team with a lot of dangerous players but belief and ability are not things we’re short of,” said McGuire.