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Liverpudlian James Graham will cast his initial disappointment to one side as he prepares to lead England’s rugby league team in his home city.
Head coach Wayne Bennett turned to the former St Helens forward in the absence of regular captain Sean O’Loughlin as well as his deputy and South Sydney star Sam Burgess for Sunday’s second Test against New Zealand at Anfield.
Graham, who captained England in the 2010 Four Nations Series and stood in against France a fortnight ago, was the obvious choice to take over when O’Loughlin succumbed to an old calf injury he aggravated in the first Test victory in Hull.
Graham, England’s most-capped player who will make his 43rd appearance, admits it will be a proud moment when he leads the team out, although his excitement is tempered by sympathy for the stricken Wigan loose forward.
“It’s probably more disappointment than anything, in terms of losing Sean,” he said.
“I saw what he went through last year, when he missed the World Cup final and came back and captained Wigan to a grand final win and has been pretty healthy throughout the year.
“I’m hugely disappointed for him but I’ve got to stand up and take this role on and concentrate on doing my job for the team.
“I can’t be any more proud than when I’m playing for England anyway. The fact that there’s a C next to my name doesn’t really change anything – I’m not more proud or anything like that.
“I’m proud every time I put on the England shirt.”
England’s nail-biting 18-16 win at the KCOM Stadium has given them a chance to wrap up the series ahead of the third Test at Elland Road but Graham is expecting the Kiwis to bounce back.
“I’m not even thinking about 3-0,” he said.
“There’s a win next to our name from last week but, make no mistake, New Zealand played well. We have to play well in order to get the win.
“I’m imagining the Kiwis are going to be better than they were last weekend and we’ll have to go up again.”
St Helens prop Luke Thompson will start in O’Loughlin’s number 13 jersey and Bennett has called up Castleford loose forward Adam Milner to fill the vacancy on the bench.
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