League: NZ-made fan club awaits Sarginson

Dan Sarginson's father now lives in Queenstown with many relatives. Photo / Getty Images

England centre Dan Sarginson will have his own fan club in the stands in Dunedin when his team take on New Zealand in the Four Nations.

The 21-year-old made his test debut in England's heart-stopping 16-12 loss to Australia in Melbourne on Sunday.

Despite the result, he delivered the backline spark coach Steve McNamara asked of him, setting up one of England's tries.

Born in Perth to a Kiwi father and English mother, Sarginson spent the first three years of his life in Australia, where he still has extended family, before moving to England.

"Always growing up when Australia would beat England, my younger brother and I would pretend we go for Australia," Sarginson said.

"However against Australia I was a proud Englishman out there wearing the jersey."

Sarginson's father now lives in Queenstown with many relatives.

He said many were making the trip to Dunedin to see him play in their must-win match on Saturday.

"I should see some family I haven't seen before so it should be pretty good," the Wigan centre said.

"I think my dad has booked them all tickets, around 20, so I'll have a little family base over there."

Sarginson said the England team felt they could get the win necessary to move into the Four Nations final.

He said they had the better of Australia for much of the match.

"For most of the game we felt in control and we took a lot of positives from it."

- AAP