HE FINALLY considers himself an Englishman, but Australian-born Tony Smith isn't doing his new countrymen any favours in the build-up to the World Cup.

The England coach has adopted a hard-line stance with his squad as they attempt to wrestle the World Cup away from Australia for the first time since 1972.

The brother of Newcastle mentor Brian Smith, in a bid to keep his troops focused, has even ordered his players not to take holidays in Australia following the tournament.

And he has bundled his players into acclimatisation chambers with conditions set at 37 degrees and 90 per cent humidity to prepare for their October 25 opener against PNG in steamy Townsville.

His tough approach seems to be working - England warmed up for the tournament with a record 74-0 rout of Wales at Doncaster. Despite featuring only eight members of Smith's 24-strong cup squad, a young outfit ran in 14 tries to register a record win. Before kick-off Smith dispelled any doubts about where his allegiances now lay by belting out God Save The Queen for the first time. The former St George grand final player recently received British citizenship on residency grounds.

"I have refrained from singing the national anthem up to now because I didn't have my citizenship and I didn't feel I was in a position previously to join in," he said.

"But now I am entitled to do so and I am able to rightfully sing, being a British citizen. I am not a great singer but now I've got the choice."

However, the affection for his new home only extends so far. Even hard man Adrian Morley is feeling the pinch under Smith's uncompromising approach.

Morley said he knew the importance of acclimatisation after soaking up Townsville's humidity during the World Sevens in 1997. "It can feel claustrophobic when you're sweating and hot and you feel like the walls are coming in on you," he told The Sun .

"It's like training in a sauna and you can't get your breath or cool down, but that's what it's going to be like against PNG.

"It's essential that we win our first game; that we start the World Cup with a victory. We're expected to win and do well so it's essential that we prepare correctly."

Morley might be keen to catch up with old mates in Australia but only Gareth Ellis has been given permission to stay after the World Cup. The big Leeds second-rower will link with Wests Tigers after the tournament.