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England new boy Kyle Eastmond has branded Aussie motormouth Johnathan Thurston "arrogant" ahead of Saturday's Gillette Four Nations final.

The St Helens star was riled by Thurston's 'Who?' taunt when asked what he knew of his half-back rival.

Now, 20-year-old Eastmond has hit back by labelling the bearded North Queensland Cowboy as "a bit mouthy".

"Obviously, he likes to be a bit arrogant in what he says,'' said the Oldham-born playmaker.

''i don't know how he doesn't know who I am because I've played against him. That's just the way he is. It's pretty disappointing.

"He's a great player, and it'll be good to play against him. I've got respect for his rugby but that's about it. He's not my friend or anything like that.''

The duo faced each other during Australia's 26-16 win at Wigan when Eastmond came on as second-half substitute.

Thurston was sin-binned in that game for persistent offending and later said of English ref Steve Ganson: "I don't think he likes me."


Eastmond, who scored a crucial try in last Saturday's victory over world champions New Zealand, maintains: "There is more to come from us.

"The Aussies are an awesome team but New Zealand beat them last year. Why shouldn't we do it?"

England coach Tony Smith, asked whether Thurston was arrogant, replied: "Possibly. Or ignorant. One or the other or a combination of both.

"We've got some unknown players. These guys are trying to make a name for themselves, and hopefully in time they'll know who he is.

"I would imagine that he'll know plenty about him by the time he plays him on Saturday." Thurston insists he and the Aussies aren't treating the game as a formality.

Indeed, when Elland Road last hosted a major tournament final in 2005, the Kangaroos lost 24-0 to New Zealand.

"We respect them all as a team," he said. "England have a lot of fire out on the edge and a good forward pack and good halves who can attack and they'll hurt us if we give them room."

Leigh have been re-instated in the Co-operative Championship after Gateshead Thunder's demotion and sixpoints deduction.

Former Melbourne Storm assistant boss Michael Maguire has arrived to start his new job at Wigan Warriors coach in succession to Brian Noble.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby/2009/11/12/mouthy-arrogant-115875-21815424/