Australia coach Tim Sheens admits England's impressive win over New Zealand sent out a stark warning to his players ahead of Saturday's Gillette Four Nations final.

The Kangaroos are firm favourites to land the title but Sheens was sufficiently impressed with England's display against the Kiwis to deliver glowing praise.

"I made a big point to the players at training yesterday how they put us on notice," Sheens said. "I think it was the best game of the tournament.

"I thought England started strong and finished strong. I didn't see a weakness in their game.

"They gave up a try on their right edge but then they fixed it. It is going to be a tough game."

Vice-captain Cameron Smith admits the Kangaroos forwards will have their strength tested by the England pack, which laid a firm foundation for a second-half fightback in Wigan a fortnight ago and that 20-12 win over New Zealand.

"Their revival against us came through the forwards," he said. "They have a lot of experience in the middle.

"We need to be wary of that and work as a unit defensively in the middle to minimise their impact on the game.

"They've got a lot of speed in the halves and they've got some strike players out wide. When they're going well through the middle, that's when those guys out wide are dangerous."

Smith, named as international hooker of the year this week, will be up against Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield, who made a success of his switch from loose forward against the Kiwis and has been labelled a barometer for the health of the England side by the Melbourne Storm captain.

"He turned in a man-of-the-match performance from dummy half and played a really good game there," he said.

"He's a pretty good guide for their team. If he's playing well, usually their whole team is playing well."

Australia have made just one change to the side that beat England in Wigan, bringing in Penrith Panthers second rower Luke Lewis for his first start after two substitute appearances.

"I think Luke's having a really good series," said Sheens. "He's got speed, he's a strong defender and adds a little more thrust to our back row."

Sheens has yet to determine the make-up of his bench and could follow the example of England coach Tony Smith by opting for four forwards, which would mean disappointment for utility back Kurt Gidley and centre Michael Jennings.

"We'll have a look at the weather on Saturday and we've a couple of injury issues - not major ones but enough to consider over the next 48 hours," he said.

"I don't anticipate any of the top 13 changing but I try to cover as many bases as I can with the bench."

Sheens admits he is toying with the idea of switching international player of the year Jarryd Hayne from the right wing to the left in a bid to bring the Parramatta flier more into the game.

"We've looked at both options and I'll make a decision tomorrow at training," he said.

England are alert to the possibility but Smith is confident in the defensive capabilities of both his wingmen, Ryan Hall and Peter Fox.

"We've talked about it," he said. "We've heard it could happen. We just make plans for as many things as possible.

"That would be some adjustment for him as well if he hasn't been playing there for a while so there's some risk both ways.

"He's a terrific player and he'd strengthen that side of the field but we'd like to think we'd handle it on most occasions if we need to."