Just 12 months ago Sam Burgess joined his schoolmates on the Odsal terraces to watch Bulls' 71-0 play-off thrashing of Hull.

Now the wonderkid forward is gearing up to face the Black and Whites himself for a place in the Engage Super League Grand Final.

Following a whirlwind start to a senior career that stands at only eight substitute appearances, the exciting youngster has a golden opportunity to stamp his own mark in tomorrow night's final eliminator.

Burgess, 17, admits featuring in the KC Stadium showdown will be his toughest assignment yet and a far cry from that relaxed evening last year.

"I was stood about ten rows behind the dug outs spectating with a few of us from school, having a pie and a Coke!" he recalled.

"I said that night that my goal was to play in the Grand Final the following year.

"It would be my first season in Super League and hopefully if we got there I could do it.

"That was the goal but I always thought it was probably unachievable."

That remains to be seen. The athletic prop has emerged as one of the finds of Super League XI, having got his first chance following Stuart Fielden's mid-season switch to Wigan.

Burgess has always been highly rated, having captained England Academy to success over the Aussies, and has impressed everyone with his maturity and skill since making his debut.

Now he and his team-mates are just one step away from Old Trafford.

Boss Steve McNamara is a big admirer of the teenager's talent and said: "He is only 17. I know a lot of kids play when they're 17 but to play front-row, at the coal face, at that age is different.

"And to handle some of the opposition he's already played against is testimony to how good he is."

Burgess will have more responsibility tomorrow night with fellow prop and Player of the Year Andy Lynch missing due to the broken ankle suffered last week. He will also be up against one of the most-respected front-rows in the competition.

"I think this will be the toughest game I've played so far and I'll be playing 55, 60 minutes," Burgess said.

"We know it's going to be hard against Hull. It will definitely be closer this time (compared to last year) but we've had a pretty confident week and trained well."

Shontayne Hape has likened Burgess to his Kiwi team-mate Sonny Bill Williams, who came from nowhere to thrill the world two years ago.

"They're big boots to fill" he laughed.

"I've only played eight games but it's nice to be compared."