McGillvary hoping to bump into man who inspired his career ENGLAND’S STAR WINGER WOULD LOVE TO RUN INTO EX-GIANTS COACH NATHAN BROWN
“In this format, where it’s a tournament, there are times when you are a little bit busted but I’ve got great pride in the green and gold jersey and the opportunity I have to wear it,” said Smith (above).
“I’ve never really entertained the idea of giving it up to someone else or sitting out a week and watching the rest of my teammates play.”
Australia’s last match without their inspirational captain was against France in the 2009 Four Nations Series.
Facing Australia will be a new experience for each of the French players but Marginet knows where the main threat lies.
“Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, it’s like Messi and Ronaldo,” said Marginet. “We have to slow down the pace of the game and at the same time get the ball out as quickly as possible.”
■Bulk changes to the Kiwis 17 for tomorrow’s clash against Scotland are more about nursing front-line players than any suggestion New Zealand will be taking the Bravehearts lightly.
That is the message from Kiwis coach David Kidwell, who has made seven changes to his side which beat Samoa 38-8 last Saturday in Auckland.
Experienced players Simon Mannering and Thomas Leuluai have both been told to put their feet up for the weekend, while dynamic winger Jordan Rapana is the other major omission, with Addin Fonua-Blake named to make his Test debut and 22-year-old playmaker Te Maire Martin set for his first start at international level.
“We have got to give Scotland respect, they are going to come out firing. Last year they gave us a really good run in an 18-all draw, so we definitely respect scotland,” Kidwell said. GIANTS’ England international Jermaine McGillvary is hoping to run into one familiar face while he is in Australia for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
The 29-year-old winger, who was voted England’s player-ofthe-match by teammates and fans after scoring his side’s only try in last Friday night’s World Cup opener which ended in an 18-4 defeat against Australia in Melbourne, is hoping Newcastle Knights head coach and exGiants boss Nathan Brown might just turn up to one of their games.
McGillvary has always credited the former St George Dragons hooker as a major influence on his rugby career.
Determined to play alongside his cousin Leroy Cudjoe at the Giants, McGillvary later gave up his bricklaying job and lived off a job seeker’s allowance to focus on rugby league.
“I had to pay my mum board, and stuff like that, so I was at a real crossroads in my life where it was make or break, but the sacrifices I made then have paid off,” McGillvary said.
“If it wasn’t for Nathan I wouldn’t be where I am today, he is one of the biggest influences on my career and taught me just basic things, like catching a ball.
“I was always athletic but I couldn’t catch for anything. I couldn’t catch above my head, I couldn’t catch anything.
“He just came in, took me down to the bare bones, built me up again and off I went. I have never looked back from there really and to this day I thank Nathan for what he has done.
“When I made my England debut in 2015 he was back in Australia and I got his number, rang him and said thank you very much.
“Hopefully, he comes to one of our games or we cross paths because I thank him, not just for what he has done for me but my family.
“Without that we wouldn’t have the stuff we have now and I wouldn’t be playing on the biggest stage in the world.”
McGillvary will be in the starting line-up again for tomorrow’s second Group A game with Lebanon.
However, some of the England players are showing signs of ‘wear and tear’ according to assistant coach Denis Betts.
Head coach Wayne Bennett has made just one change to the