ROHAN Smith admits he would like to see England have a “real good crack” at Australia during Sunday’s pivotal Four Nations showdown.

The Bulls head coach is an admirer of rival bosses Wayne Bennett and Mal Meninga and is predicting a fierce battle at the Olympic Stadium.

England must beat the Kangaroos to stand any chance of reaching the final at Anfield on Sunday week and even that may not be enough.

Smith said: “I think in a one-off game, England, Australia and New Zealand are all capable of beating each other.

“The way coach Meninga has rotated players has been an excellent move at the back end of the season to give a lot of them game time.

“It shows the depth of Australia’s squad and must be quite a selection headache for him to work out what his best 17 is.

“Not too often do Australia get overworked and, if you decide you want to go head to head with them, it's going to be a tough night generally.

“Where New Zealand have had some success is by really trying to break them open and have a crack at them.

“I don't think England have got much to lose in that respect and, from a fans' point of view, I'd love to see England have a real good crack and throw a few things out of the box at Australia which might open them up and surprise them.”

Smith expects Bennett to recall St George Illawarra stand-off Gareth Widdop to the starting line-up because of the boyhood Bulls fan’s vast NRL and Test match experience.

The Bradford chief added: “I think he will go for the experienced NRL players and Gareth Widdop has showed over a period of time with the Dragons, Melbourne and England that he can perform. I'd be surprised if he wasn't in the team.”

Five players nurtured in the Bulls’ academy are expected to feature against the Aussies – Sam, George and Tom Burgess, Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman.

Smith added: “It has been shown over a long period that a lot of great rugby league players come from Bradford and the surrounding area and district.

“I think we will always produce players and we've just got to keep them together as they mature and grow something special.”

Relations have appeared strained between Bennett and Meninga, with the latter accusing the former of trying to undermine him after he pipped him to the Australia job last year.

Smith said: “I honestly don't read too much into what is going on, but it seems there is a bit of banter.

“Wayne Bennett is obviously the greatest coach in Australian rugby league history and Mal Meninga has been an extremely successful representative coach, so he's found a niche there in coaching the game's elite - with Queensland and then the Kangaroos as well.

“On top of that, he was one of the greatest rugby league players that our country has produced.

“There has to be mutual respect there and, if there is a bit of banter there adding to the hype, then I'm sure both guys know what they are doing and doing it for a purpose."