PROUD Huddersfield Giants coach Jon Sharp is hoping to mark a return home to the Galpharm Stadium tonight by helping Great Britain secure a vital victory over New Zealand (6.15).
The Lions have to beat the Kiwis to keep their hopes of reaching the Gillette Tri-Nations final alive.
Great Britain must then follow up with victory over Australia in Hull a week today.
The wins have to be achieved by a combined margin of 36 points to guarantee Sharp, assistant to GB coach Brian Noble, and the Lions reach the final at Elland Road on Saturday, November 26.
That's going to be a tall order.
But Sharp believes it can be achieved, and is eager to get back to the home of the Giants.
"I can't wait for us to take to the field tonight," said Sharp, who is spending every day off from his Lions involvement back at the Galpharm preparing his plans for Super League XI.
"I'm proud of my arena. It's a fantastic place, there's no better set-up anywhere and the pitch is second to none.
"But I think everyone in the great Britain squad is proud of the Galpharm Stadium.
"That's because it's been such a happy hunting ground for the Lions in the past, and we know that can continue tonight.
"In the past two years, we've beaten both Australia and New Zealand here, and there's no reason why we can't make it a hat trick of triumphs when we face the Kiwis again tonight.
"Everyone knows we've made a sluggish start to this Tri-Nations campaign.
"But we've been getting better with every training session that's taken place, and there's no doubt the boys are ready for this one.
"We were all bitterly disappointed with our opening performance against New Zealand when they beat us in London a fortnight ago.
"Tonight is the chance to put that well and truly out of our system and look ahead positively.
"It's going to be tough, because New Zealand have produced some great stuff in their recent matches.
"But we believe history is on our side, and that the Galpharm can again live up to its reputation as one of Great Britain's best venues."
