Huddersfield Giants winger Jermaine McGillvary is closing in on his England debut.
But that’s bad news for Huddersfield teammate Leroy Cudjoe.
Super League Dream Team member McGillvary has effectively taken Cudjoe’s place in England’s 19-man squad for Saturday’s deciding Test against New Zealand at a sell-out Wigan DW Stadium (1.00).
McGillvary and Wigan half-back Matty Smith come into the squad to replace Cudjoe and Warrington Wolves forward Ben Westwood, who is 18th and 19th men for last Saturday’s 9-2 second Test defeat to the Kiwis at the Olympic Stadium in London.
And both Super League’s top tryscorer McGillvary and Smith will be eager to secure their respective places in the final 17, which will be announced by national coach and former Giants skipper Steve McNamara 90 minutes before kick-off.
“We’ve had a great week with our preparation and the players are ready to take on a strong New Zealand side,” said McNamara, who has again included Giants vice-captain Brett Ferres in the squad.
“The players are well aware of the importance of the game and the improvements we have to make from our previous matches to give ourselves every chance of beating New Zealand.
“We will have to be at our best to win, but we’ll relish the pressure of playing against a quality team in front of a full house at Wigan.”
England 19-man squad: Bateman (Wigan), L Burgess (Wigan), T Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons), Farrell (Wigan), Ferres (Giants), Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs, Hall (Leeds), Hardaker (Leeds), Hill (Warrington), Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), McGillvary (Giants), O’Loughlin (Wigan), Roby (St Helens), Smith (Wigan), Watkins (Leeds), Whitehead (Catalans Dragons), Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), Williams (Wigan).
