League: England's Chase undeterred by Kiwis niggle

England halfback Rangi Chase has revealed he was targeted by New Zealand skipper Benji Marshall during his side's shock 28-6 win that ended the world champions' Four Nations campaign at Hull.

The victory secured the hosts place in next week's final at Elland Road against Australia and Kiwi-born Chase, who played with Marshall at Wests Tigers, admitted it was difficult facing the haka before the game as well as his former team-mate.

Marshall and Issac Luke, who was one of three Kiwi players placed on report, both had scuffles with Chase in a bad-tempered affair.

South Sydney hooker Luke was censured by Australian referee Matt Cecchin for twisting the England playmaker's leg in a dangerous manner late in the first half joining Ben Mautilino and Jeremy Smith, who will also face potential charges for dangerous tackles.

"He (Marshall) was giving me a hard time and it was expected," Chase said.

"They are passionate people and as soon as I pledged my allegiance to England I knew this was going to happen.

"People were going to get fired up and want to have a go at me. In a way it is a good thing because they are trying to put me off my game and I respect them.

"What happens on the field stays on the field and if I had of reacted in a different way they probably would have got what they wanted."

England coach Steve McNamara said he had to speak to Chase at halfime in an attempt to get him to re-focus after his bust-up with Luke just before the interval.

"I thought it was his most controlled performance for England and he opened them up a few times with some lovely passes," McNamara said.

"He started to get a bit niggly and why wouldn't you if you get your leg half twisted off.

"We got his eyes back with us at halftime and did well in the second half."

Chase insisted he had no problems with Luke, who was put on report for the second time in the tournament following his cannonball tackle on Australia prop David Shillington in the tournament opener in Warrington.

"I haven't really seen what he did but it is a physical game and you are out there to try and hurt people within the rules," Chase said.

"But if it is against the rules then it is not really in the game. If it was UFC it would be a different story. It is rugby league, those things happen. I am not really complaining about it. It's done. I can't say too much, I've done a few bad things on the field as well.

"Not particularly in that game but in the heat of the moment, so I will just roll on with it."

Marshall, who struggled to leave an impression on the match, tried to play down the situation, refusing to comment on what he had said to Chase.

"They won, he played well," Marshall said.

Coach Stephen Kearney also brushed aside Chase's claims.

"He's just left our dressing room so it can't be that bad," he said.

Tries from Tom Briscoe, Ryan Hall, James Graham and Sam Tomkins sealed the win for the hosts, with Kevin Sinfield kicking six goals.

Jason Nightingale crossed for the Kiwis' only try.

- AAP