GIANTS HEAD COACH STONE CONFIDENT ENGLAND’S STAR WINGER IS HAPPY AT HOME

ENGLAND were determined to seize a glorious opportunity to reach their first World Cup final for 22 years.

Instead of taking on New Zealand in this morning’s semi-final at Mount Smart Stadium, as was expected at the start of the tournament, England were looking to avoid another giant-killing act from Tonga if they were to play in their first final since 1995.

It was the Kiwis who denied England in the semifinals four years ago and Tom Burgess, who was a non-playing member of the squad that day at Wembley, admits there was pressure to justify their status as favourites against Tonga.

“There’s not been much talk of 2013 specifically but it’s about the opportunity that’s in front of us and we want to take it,” said the South Sydney prop Burgess (pictured).

“You can feel it in your guts, what’s at stake. It’s a big occasion. England have been here before and failed. We want to do well for each other and the fans and everyone back home watching. We’re all pretty pumped.”

Burgess was relishing the challenge of tackling a Tongan side that topped the Kiwis in the group stages, thanks largely to the efforts of NRL stars Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, their most high-profile defectors.

“They’re both leaders for their teams,” he said. “They’re very strong, hard to put down and they get their team going forward.

“You always want to play against the best players. As a forward pack, it will be a great test for us. I’ll come off the bench and try to add some energy there but the boys starting have a big challenge on their hands.

“It’s something we’re really looking forward to. I reckon that’s where it’s going to be won.

“There’s great pressure on us but I think it’s a great privilege. We know that Tonga are a great side, they’re performed out of their skin so far in the World Cup. We’ve just got to play our game, that’s all we need to do.”

The match in Auckland was a 30,000 sell-out, ensuring the biggest crowd for a rugby league game at the ground since 1995, and the vast majority will be cheering on Tonga.

Assistant coach Denis Betts, who was the last man to lead England into a World Cup final, played at Mount Smart for the Auckland Warriors from the start of their existence in 1995 and says the tourists will thrive in the red-hot atmosphere.

“You want it to feel like a hostile environment where we have to really put our games on the line,” Betts said. “It’s exciting for me and I’m not playing.”

Veteran stand-off Kevin Brown, the former Giants skipper, took his place in the team after passing all the required head tests.

Brown was prevented from joining in any contact work this week after being concussed in the quarter-final against Papua New Guinea but he took part in the captain’s run on Friday morning after receiving the all-clear.

“Kevin is fit, he’s always been fit,” said Betts. “He was never in doubt. We just had to go through the protocol put in place by the World Cup.”

With second rower Sam Burgess also proving his fitness after turning an ankle against the Kumuls, England head coach Wayne Bennett was able to field an unchanged team. HUDDERSFIELD Giants head coach Rick Stone is happy that Jermaine McGillvary is going nowhere.

The Huddersfield-born 29-year-old winger has become the star turn in the England squad as they have made their way to the World Cup semifinals.

McGillvary’s form in scoring five tries in four World Cup matches has attracted interest from Australia’s NRL clubs, but the man nicknamed ‘Jerry’ has another two years on his current contract with the Giants.

“I think Jerry is pretty settled here,” said Stone.

“He is a Huddersfield lad, his roots are here and his family is here.

“But he is at an interesting stage of his career, so we are very happy that he is contracted with us.”

While the rest of the world has sat up and taken note of McGillvary’s explosive talent, it has come as no surprise to Stone and everyone who has watched the Giants over recent seasons.

“Everyone else is now seeing what everyone who is involved with the Giants has seen for quite some time,” said Stone.

“His performances have been outstanding, particularly last season when he was practically making 20 carries and 200 metres in every game.

“So it doesn’t surprise anyone at the club what he is doing at the World Cup.”

And Stone is delighted that McGillvary’s elevated status is reflecting well on the Giants and that he will return for Super League 2018 raring to go.

“Jerry has definitely proved himself to be one of the best wingers at the tournament – so obviously he is one of the best wingers in the world,” said Stone.

“His yardage, his carries, his defence have been great, but it is the consistency that is really great – he has done everything well.

“But it is only what he has been doing for us over the past few years.

“He had a massive year for us last season and I think that he particularly began to come to the fore after his trip to Australia with England.

“He was in the team for the mid-season test against Samoa and when he came back, Jerry’s performances really went through the roof.