St Helens hooker James Roby believes a healthy new team spirit can carry England to a shock victory in Saturday's eagerly-awaited Gillette Four Nations clash with Australia.
A split between Grand Final rivals Leeds and Saints was cited as one of the reasons for England's dismal performances in the World Cup but Roby insists the mood in the camp could not be better ahead of the crunch game at Wigan's DW Stadium.
"There's a great team spirit," he said. "Training has been really good and intense and everybody seems to be having fun.
"We're having a good laugh. A lot of the lads knew each other from the mid-season Test against France and there is a good banter going on.
"It's vital this year that we've got a really good team spirit. With a good blend of players from different teams, we've got that and everybody is enjoying each other's company.
"If we turn up on the day and play like we've practised, we're capable of beating anyone. There is no reason why we can't go on and win this tournament."
Roby is confident England can turn the tables on the Kangaroos following their record 52-4 rout in Melbourne just 12 months ago and believes they can take encouragement from their tournament-opening 34-12 win over France.
"The disappointing thing last year was that we didn't show what we were capable of," he said. "We let ourselves down as well as everybody else but hopefully we'll turn that around on Saturday.
"Coming off the back of the win over France, there are a lot of things we can improve on but everyone knows that and we're taking that into account.
"No disrespect to France, but when you play Australia it's one of the biggest games you'll play in your career and everybody is getting excited."
Roby started last Friday's game against the French on the bench but out-performed starting hooker Scott Moore when he went on and is hoping to secure the number nine jersey when Smith names his team on Thursday
"I'd love to be playing 80 minutes but whatever the coach asks of me I'll do," he said. "If he wants me to come off the bench, I'll come off the bench. I'm just happy to be playing.
"But one day I would like to be a starting hooker. I don't want to be just known as an impact player all my career. Obviously I'd like to take that next step and be a starting hooker."
If Roby lands a starting role it will be at the expense of his close friend Moore, who after completing two seasons on loan at Castleford and Huddersfield, will return to Knowsley Road next season to join the competition for Keiron Cunningham's number nine jersey.
"It is quite strange, being in the academy together and now battling for the nine spot at international level," said Roby.
"Scott's been out on loan for a couple of years and he's had a stand-out year and got onto the international stage.
"I'm not really sure how it's going to work at St Helens yet but it's a good rivalry and Scott's a great character in the camp, one of those who brings the team spirit together."
On Saturday, Roby will go head-to-head with Cameron Smith, the Kangaroos' vice-captain and 2007 Golden Boot winner who scored their equalising try in their 20-20 draw with