Eastwood, 21, is hoping to have a World Cup winners' medal in his possession when he takes to the pitch at Elland Road in March as a member of the Rhinos team that will take on Manly in the World Club Challenge.

"It will also be a bonus for me if I can help Leeds beat Manly.

"What a double that would be – World Club Challenge winner and World Cup winner," said Eastwood, who is leaving Brisbane Broncos to join the Super League champions on a three-year deal.

"We are under no illusions as to how tough it's going to be on Saturday, but no team is unbeatable.

"Australia have been solid in defence and attack throughout the tournament and I can't imagine that changing, so we just have to stick in there for the full 80 minutes and see what happens.

"It's important that we sort out our defence, we were pretty ordinary against them in the pool game. We need to build pressure and if we can get good ball we have to put points on the board.

"I didn't have a good game last week, but hopefully I can pick that up to where I've been throughout the World Cup.

"I've given my word to the boys that I'll be there all game, they don't have to worry about me missing any tackles."

Eastwood's defensive prowess was illustrated during the Kiwis' victory over England in Newcastle where he flattened Ben Westwood with a ferocious crash tackle.

New Zealand will need more of the same tomorrow when they aim to continue a remarkable international comeback since their 3-0 Test series defeat by Great Britain last autumn.

The turnaround has come despite the absence of the injured Roy Asotasi and Rhinos full-back Brent Webb and the defection to rugby union of Sonny Bill Williams, all of whom were expected to be key players.

Eastwood is looking forward to moving to Yorkshire where he is unlikely to have much problem settling in – his father hails from Huddersfield and he has extended family in the town.

The Australia-born forward – he qualified for New Zealand through his Kiwi mother – has already met some of his future team-mates socially and knows Leeds coach Brian McClennan from their time together with the New Zealand team.

"I had a chat to Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Jones Buchanan when they came to see me at the team hotel," said Eastwood, who has been signed by the Rhinos as a direct replacement for Wests Tigers-bound back row Gareth Ellis.

"Gareth is a very good player, he's just been named international second-rower of the year and I know there are some big shoes to fill but hopefully I can do the job that he used to do over there."

When asked why he was prepared to turn his back on a successful career with Brisbane Broncos, Eastwood is refreshingly honest.

"It was probably the money," he said.

"I love my family and, if I can support them when I get back, it will be a real bonus for me."

Australia made one change to their final line-up yesterday when Manly winger David Williams was drafted in as a replacement for Brent Tate, who was forced to with-draw with a hip injury.

Australia: B Slater (Melbourne), J Monaghan (Canberra), G Inglis (Melbourne), I Folau (Melbourne), D Williams (Manly), D Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), J Thurston (North Queensland), P Civoniceva (Penrith), C Smith (Melbourne), S Price (NZ Warriors), G Stewart (Manly), A Laffranchi (Gold Coast), P Gallen (Cronulla). Substitutes: K Hunt (Brisbane), C Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), A Tupou (Sydney Roosters), B Kite (Manly).
New Zealand: L Hohaia (NZ Warriors), S Perrett (Sydney Roosters), S Mannering, J Ropati, M Vatuvei (all NZ Warriors), B Marshall (Wests Tigers), N Fien (NZ Warriors), N Cayless (Parramatta, capt), T Leuluai (Wigan), Adam B (Melbourne), D Fa'alogo (South Sydney), B Harrison (South Sydney), J Smith (Melbourne). Substitutes: I Luke (South Sydney), G Eastwood (Brisbane), S Rapira (NZ Warriors), S Manu (Melbourne).
Referee: A Klein (England).