The pair replace Huddersfield’s Leroy Cudjoe and Warrington Wolves forward Ben Westwood ahead of this Saturday’s global Series decider against the Kiwis at a sell-out DW Stadium, Wigan, kick off 1.00pm.
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England coach Steve McNamara could make his first changes of the tournament on Saturday, after including Wigan half-back Matty Smith and Huddersfield Giants winger Jermaine McGillvary – the top try scorer in Super League this year – in his initial 19-man squad.
New Zealand: 1 R Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 J Nightingale, 3 J Kahu, 4 D Whare, 5 S Kenny-Dowall, 6 P Hiku, 7 K Nikorima; 8 J Bromwich, 9 I Luke (c), 10 S Moa, 11 K Proctor, 12 T Harris, 13 A Blair. Hull-born boss McNamara will announce his team for the key clash 90 minutes before kick-off.
“I’ve really enjoyed the way we generally attack but, for whatever reason, we never did that at the weekend and a few of the credit has got to go to New Zealand”, McNamara said.
“We will have to be at our best to win, but we’ll relish the pressure of playing against a quality team in front of a full house at Wigan”.
In the process, Kearney keeps faith in the group that ground out a 9-2 victory in London, levelling the series at 1-1.
Former Warrington front-rower Cooper has spent the last two seasons with the Dragons but said the passionate support generated at stadiums in the Super League can rattle Stephen Kearney’s Kiwis, who often play in front of less intimidating crowds in the NRL.
McNamara has used the same 17 for all three games so far and, with no injuries from Saturday’s game, will have the option to pick an unchanged team.
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Interchange (from): M Taupau, B Matulino, A Glenn, L Brown, I Liu, G Beale.
