STAR playmaker Benji Marshall was reduced to a few hamstring stretches when the New Zealand team arrived in Newcastle yesterday ahead of Saturday night's World Cup clash with England at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The Kiwis trained at Balance Oval at Mayfield in hot conditions yesterday afternoon, and the England team flew into Newcastle Airport last night after their 52-4 loss to Australia in Melbourne on Sunday night.

Marshall worked his hamstrings with several exercises yesterday, which was enough to suggest he is a chance to entertain Newcastle rugby league fans on Saturday.

But Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney would be tempted to rest his start five-eighth in what is effectively a dead-rubber because both teams will meet the following weekend in the semi-final.

"It's been pretty well documented Benji has got a bit of a tight hamstring after last weekend's game, so he'll take it easy early on in the week and we'll see how he goes," Kearney said. "I haven't thought about the semi-finals, I'm just making sure we get training right today and again on Wednesday.

"If you prepare well you give yourself every chance of playing OK."

England were suitably subdued when they arrived at their motel last night, and coach Tony Smith will spend Melbourne Cup day studying his team's fitness report rather than a form guide.

"We've got a couple of bumps and bruises and a couple of people in doubt, but we'll get a bit more news on that over the next 24 hours," said Smith who will have little spare time to catch up with brother and Knights coach Brian Smith.

The Kiwi camp are taking no notice of England's World Cup-record 48-point loss to the Kangaroos.

"I'm no fool, and I know what they are capable of," Kearney said yesterday.

"I won't be preparing for the English side that played last night because we were in exactly the same position the week before."

The Kiwis can expect strong crowd support given the Knights were built on the foundations laid by New Zealanders Sam Stewart, Tony Kemp, John Schuster and Adrian Shelford. And they also have a strong Polynesian presence at the moment with Cooper Vuna, Mark Taufua, Zeb Taia, Junior Sau and Richie Fa'aoso in their ranks.

"I think Newcastle is certainly one of the true rugby league communities of Australia," Kearney said. "The Knights are always well supported and I'm hopeful we'll get some of that support.

"I remember playing in a Test here in 2004 against Australia and the game was really well supported.

"It's a rugby league city and hopefully we will be able to put on a good game for them."

Smith said the fact he has a family connection to the Knights might help garner some local support for his side.

"Newcastle is very much a rugby league city and they love their rugby league here," Smith said. "We've got a good supporter base and a few ex-pats here in Newcastle, and I've got no doubt it will be a great atmosphere because it's a great ground to play on."