England owe Kiwis insists Sam Tomkins

Sam Tomkins has admitted that England will be motivated by thoughts of revenge when they face New Zealand in Dunedin in this weekend’s Four Nations clash.

The Kiwis knocked England out of last year’s World Cup semi-final with a last minute try, and now Tomkins and his team-mates want some payback.

“We certainly feel like we owe them one,” said Tomkins, who will be playing against many of his New Zealand Warriors team-mates.

“This one special is special for me. I’ve played alongside these blokes for 20-odd games in the NRL this year so it’ll be good to come up against them.

“Hopefully, I can get the last laugh as it will be a long 12 months.”

England are set to play the Kiwis in a three-match series on English soil next year. Tomkins has enjoyed playing alongside many of the Kiwis line-up in his first year in the NRL with the Warriors.

“Shaun Johnson has already dropped in a couple of jokes about the World Cup, which I haven’t taken too kindly to!” he added.

“But he’s a good bloke and we’ve laughed about it. (Winger) Manu Vatuvei is a bit of a character. There aren’t many days that go by without hearing his crackling laugh across the gym.

“He ‘s also usually taking the mick out of my accent. Simon Mannering (Kiwi captain) is a quiet bloke but good value around the team and a true professional.

“And Tommy Leuluai played tour guide for me in the first couple of months I was over here. Without him it would have been tougher to move.”