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2014 Four Nations: George and Tom Burgess relishing stepping up to the plate for England

Image: George Burgess: Is rapidly becoming as influential a player for England as acting captain James Graham

He is only 22 but George Burgess already sees himself as one of England's senior players looking to carve out a place in rugby league history.

The Dewsbury-born prop forward enjoyed a sensational first full season for South Sydney 2013 and the NRL rookie of the year continued in the same vein for his country in the World Cup as England went within 20 seconds of reaching the final.

A mainstay of the Rabbitohs' title-winning team alongside older brother Sam this year, George is rapidly becoming as influential a player for England as acting captain James Graham and he is happy to accept the extra responsibility.

"A fair few older heads have left us, such as Ben Westwood, Kevin Sinfield, Sam Burgess," George said from England's training camp on Queensland's Gold Coast where they are preparing for Sunday's crunch clash with Australia in Melbourne.

There is a lot of responsibility on the younger lads like ourselves but it's pretty exciting with the young group we've got.
George Burgess

"They've been such a big part of England over the past few years and they're not here anymore.

"There is a lot of responsibility on the younger lads like ourselves but it's pretty exciting with the young group we've got."

George includes twin brother Tom in the team's unofficial leadership group.

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Although obviously the same age, Tom is effectively 12 months behind George in his development after staying on for another season with Bradford before being reunited with all three brothers at the Rabbitohs.

All four eventually turned out together for Souths and for a time there was a genuine prospect of them representing England.

Oldest sibling Luke made the England squad in 2012 but never got to make his debut and, after being omitted from the World Cup party, has now slipped down the pecking order at Souths.

Significant role

Sam will this week be unveiled at Bath but two out of four is not bad for England and Tom looks certain to play a significant role in the Four Nations Series after making just two substitute appearances at the World Cup.

Tom made a useful contribution from the bench in Saturday's opening 32-26 win over Samoa and has kept his place for the game with the Kangaroos, who need the win to keep alive their hopes of reaching the November 15 final.

As a young kid you think about playing for your country and obviously to beat Australia in their own backyard, because it's not happened for so long, would be amazing. It's a big task in front of us but I think everyone is excited by challenge.
Tom Burgess

"I was happy with no errors," said Tom, who is confident England will improve on their opening performance.

"You always want to grow in these tournaments. We'll work on the things we picked up in review. We'll definitely be able to grow from this."

The twins were just three when England last beat Australia - in the opening game of the 1995 World Cup - but know only too well that it is 44 years since the Poms last won a series on Australian soil.

"We've just got to concentrate on ourselves," Tom said. "Obviously everything is on the line for Australia. They need to get a win but so do we.

"As a young kid you think about playing for your country and obviously to beat Australia in their own backyard, because it's not happened for so long, would be amazing. It's a big task in front of us but I think everyone is excited by challenge."

A surprise 30-12 defeat by New Zealand on Saturday leaves Tim Sheens' men in danger of becoming the first Australian team to miss the final of an international tournament since the inaugural World Cup in Paris in 1954, in which Great Britain beat France 16-12.

Fresh from helping Souths end a 43-year wait for an NRL title, the Burgess boys are hoping to create more history over the next three weeks but they are aware of the size of the task.

"I was surprised by Australia's defeat," George said. "I was expecting them to do well in the first game.

"I know they got a few injuries and it was a tough ask for the young blokes on their debuts but they will definitely be better this week. They are a world-class outfit and we'll have to be at our best."

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