Halfback Cooper Cronk admits the Kangaroos are wary of the threat posed by England halves Gareth Widdop and Matty Smith in Sunday’s must-win Four Nations rugby league clash.

Widdop cemented his status as one of the NRL’s premier halves in an impressive debut season with St George Illawarra this year.

But Wigan halfback Smith is a relative unknown in Australia, despite steering the Super League powerhouse to a premiership win and a Challenge Cup final victory.

If England’s imposing pack, led by James Graham and Tom and George Burgess, can get the better of the smaller Australian pack in the middle of the field at AAMI Park, Widdop and Smith will be given plenty of opportunity to spark the visitors backline.

Smith debuted in the England No.7 jersey in their 32-26 win over Samoa last weekend, while Widdop has played 12 Tests since debuting in 2010.

“Matt have a good kicking game, he is more of a controlling half than Gareth Widdop, Widdop he is the guy who does a lot of their set up plays and sets up tries, they are a formidable halves,” Cronk said.

“The game is going to be quite physical, it is going to be the big boppers through the middle third of the field, hopefully some expansive play and some good tries scored on the edge more for Australia than England.”