Man-of-the-moment Jermaine McGillvary is dreaming of lifting the Super League Leaders Shield with the Giants for a second time – and isn’t giving his growing calls for an England spot a second thought.
Huddersfield-born McGillvary heads into Friday’s massive Super 8s home clash against Leeds Rhinos in red-hot form.
A win for the Giants and defeat for Wigan at home to Castleford, also on Friday, would give Huddersfield their second top-of-the-table finish in three years.
But even though another top McGillvary performance against the Rhinos – and fellow leading England wing candidates Ryan Hall and Tom Briscoe – would further increase his international claims, the 27-year-old newly-crowned Giants Player of the Year isn’t giving his country a second thought.
“I’m aware of all these calls, but they’re not a distraction at all. I think my form’s proving that!” said McGillvary, whose centre partner Leroy Cudjoe’s form is also greatly enhancing his claims for an England re-call.
“Winning the League Leaders Shield the other year was an unbelievable experience, and the thought of going into the Leeds game on Friday with the chance of winning it again is all I can think about.
“In fact, helping the Giants win games has been the only thing on my mind all season. That’s made my Giants Player of the Year awards so special.
“If I do get an England call, that would be a bonus, but it’s not been my focus at all.
“As much as anything, these calls for me to play for England is further proof that I must be doing something right, although I owe so much to Leroy for helping me score the number of tries I have, so if I get the England call, then I think Leroy should be there as well. Our centre-wing combination is now working as well as it’s ever done.
“But beating Leeds on Friday and going on to win the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford next month remains our No1 aim. That’s what we want more than anything.”
