England coach Tony Smith described his side's 20-12 win over New Zealand as a "shot in the arm" for the northern hemisphere - but insisted there were no celebrations after they clinched a place in the Gillette Four Nations final.

Smith's men defeated World Cup winners New Zealand at Huddersfield to set up a showdown with Australia at Elland Road next Saturday, when they will seek to improve on their 26-16 defeat in Wigan.

"It's a real shot in the arm for the game in the northern hemisphere and for Super League," said Smith.

"The southern hemisphere are always favourites in our sport, and to beat them to the final is a feat in itself - but we're not satisfied yet.

"The players are really pleased to make the final - but we're not done yet. That was part of the motivation tonight - we wanted another crack at Australia.

"We felt we did not do ourselves justice in the first half last week and we want to put together two decent halves of rugby league and see where it takes us."

Winger Peter Fox marked his recall with a crucial two-try burst just before half-time. But England's heroes with their forwards, who won a war of attrition with their Kiwi counterparts.

It was also a victory for the tactics of Smith, whose late switch of Kevin Sinfield to hooker enabled him to start with the imposing Sam Burgess at loose forward and sparked a man-of-the-match display from the Leeds Rhinos captain.

"Sometimes you get them right and take plaudits; other times you get them wrong and get kicked to death," said Smith, who made his tactical switch two days before the match.

"Kevin had a mixed start to the game but got better as it went on. He's a smart player, and it was a logical place to put him.

"Whether or not he plays there next week, we'll decide after looking at the video. It could be horses for courses."

England led 18-6 at half-time thanks to tries from Fox and Kyle Eastmond and defended heroically to protect their lead after substitute Ben Matulino added to Bryson Goodwin's first-half try.

"I was delighted with the players' commitment to one another. We didn't get split too many times," Smith added.

England's win enabled them to avenge their back-to-back World Cup defeats by the Kiwis, but captain Jamie Peacock played down the significance.

"I'm just pleased we performed well," he said.

"It was a must-win game, and we won. But there is nothing to celebrate yet. There was no champagne in the dressing room."

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney had praise for England and believes they can push the Kangaroos all the way next Saturday.

"Full credit to the English side, I thought they were very good tonight," he said.

"They were certainly very physical through the middle.

"I've got to say we're very disappointed. We didn't put our best foot forward, but the English didn't allow us to do that. I thought they were wonderful.

"With their last 50 minutes against Australia and tonight, that will certainly put them in a good position next weekend."

Kiwis captain Benji Marshall said his players suffered from the interpretations of French referee Thierry Alibert.

"It was hard to make out his interpretation, but we're not going to make any excuse," he said.

"They were good; we were bad."