League: Tomkins shines as England thrash Wales

England fullback Sam Tomkins. Photo / Getty Images

After helping England slay Wales in Saturday's Four Nations clash at Leigh with a four-try salvo, fullback Sam Tomkins' sights are now set on Australia and his hero Billy Slater.

The 22-year-old underlined his credentials as one of the finest attacking talents to come out of England for more than a decade, with a swashbuckling performance that produced two tries in either half as the Lions' eased to a 42-4 win.

Australia coach Tim Sheens and his assistant David Furner watched from the stands at the Leigh Sports Village and will have noted the performance of the Wigan fullback with some interest as he carved apart a gallant-but-limited Welsh side.

Tomkins has been likened in England to Slater and it was easy to see why as his quick feet and electric pace tormented the Welsh, and admits he's modelled his game on the Melbourne superstar.

"Slater is one of the best players in the world and I have looked at things he's done and tried bring them into my game," Tomkins said.

"People have said we are similar players and I think we are, but I have a lot more to do before I can say I am as good as he is."

England coach Steve McNamara was pleased with his side's display but hit out at Sheens' complaints over the way Australia's win over New Zealand was refereed on Friday.

Sheens was also critical of the decision to appoint New Zealand's Henry Perenara in favour of Australia's Matt Cecchin for the game at Leigh after McNamara expressed displeasure at the way he officiated his side's win over France last week.

However, McNamara said he was sick of hearing Sheens' frustrations.

"We've had this numerous times when we go into a tournament," he said.

"We get called whingeing Poms and it is us that have to listen to everyone else complain and I get sick to the back teeth of it.

"We'll just play to whatever referee we have I thought Henry refereed the game very well."

England skipper Jamie Peacock said the prospect of playing the Kangaroos at Wembley has generated huge excitement in the camp and praised the contribution of Chris Heighington, who scored his first try for his adopted country.

"He is a very good player and a player you really want to play with and I can't praise him higher," Peacock said.

"He's got big shoes to fill with Sean O'Loughlin being out and he is doing that."

Brisbane centre Jack Reed also crossed for a try in the first half and looked excellent in defence and McNamara predicted the 23-year-old would get better.

"Jack's a good player, there's no doubting the qualities he's got," McNamara said.

"He is a bit to keen to impress and probably needs to curb that a little bit. He needs to just go out and play.

"But his strength and awareness are very good."

- AAP