His Test future may rely on success against the Kiwis but the uncertainty surrounding England coach Steve McNamara's tenure at Sydney Roosters has been resolved.
Since returning to his homeland for the Anglo-New Zealand series, Trent Robinson's assistant has refused to comment on his club coaching future.
As recently as last Tuesday he told NRL.com: "All my contract stuff will be sorted out post- this tournament.
"It's always been the case, I'll sit down and speak with the RFL. I've had some good discussions with the Roosters.
"At the minute, it's about England for me. We want to perform in this tournament.
"Rather than answer any questions on the Roosters, it's more about winning this tournament and sitting down and getting sorted after that."
But Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan told us via text this morning: "Steve Mac re-signed many weeks ago for seasons 2016 and 2017."
To an extent, that eases pressure on the former Hull and St George player going into a crucial series for English rugby league.
He knows there's a good job waiting for him back in Sydney.
McNamara's RFL contract was renegotiated to become part-time at the start of 2014 when he joined the Roosters staff.
While the terms were not made public, when his position was questioned after England failed to make the 2014 Four Nations final RFL CEO Nigel Wood said the coach was "12 months into a two-year contract".
It's not the only contract that expires at the end of the coming series – England will be looking for a new title sponsor after 13 years with Gillette.
In injury news, New Zealand co-captain Adam Blair is racing the clock to be fit for the first Test after leaving Headingley on crutches last Friday with a calf injury suffered in the tour match win over Leeds.
