Heat is off England for last-eight clash

THE biggest advantage for England when they take on Papua New Guinea in the early hours of tomorrow will be that they are doing so in Melbourne and not Port Moresby. The Kumuls have progressed to the World Cup quarter-finals on the back of some rousing performances in front of packed crowds on home soil in a country where rugby is a religion. But this knockout clash will take place in what should be friendlier surroundings at AAMI Park. It is a point not lost on England playmaker Gareth Widdop, who learned his trade at the Melbourne venue. ‘You could say that,’ he replied when asked if England had dodged a bullet by not having to face testing Port Moresby conditions. ‘It would have been a lot hotter over there with a big crowd — but it does not matter where we play as long as we get the job done.’ Widdop will play at full back for the second week in a row, having been shifted from stand-off for England’s victory over France. ‘I enjoyed it,’ he said. ‘I’d not played there for seven years but I’m happy playing anywhere. I’ll try to do a job whatever my position.’ Victory will mean a likely semi-final against Tonga.