Wallabies halfback Luke Burgess wants to use the pomp and ceremony of a Twickenham Test to lift him to new heights against England today (early Sunday morning, Sydney time).

Some players are intimidated by the colour and vibrant atmosphere of Twickenham on game day, but Burgess is one who relishes such an arena, believing it can motivate him to play at his full potential.

Burgess has played in a sevens tournament at Twickenham previously, but this will be his first Test match on the ground. It also happens to be one of Australia's most important internationals of the season.

The intensity will be heightened by the fact England were the team that knocked the Wallabies out of last year's World Cup and, within the Australian squad, there is an overwhelming feeling that this is the time to exorcise some demons.

If the Wallabies are to succeed, Burgess is one player who must be on top of his game. His performances so far on this tour have been a mixed bag.

While Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was happy with his efforts in Hong Kong against the All Blacks, Burgess wasn't. After the match, Burgess was deeply depressed, being especially critical about his service and general demeanour. Against Italy in Padova last week there were again some good plays, but also some erratic ones.

One horrid moment saw one of his chip kicks actually go backwards. He shook his head when that was brought up yesterday. Burgess is by far his own harshest critic, explaining: "I would not like anyone to think I'm cruising at all, and I'm always working to try to improve. And I think I can get better."

He wants to be better is at Twickenham and is convinced he will be. Burgess believes the moment will make the player.

"Being at Twickenham will be amazing," Burgess told the Herald. "I can't wait. I just want to get out there and let the crowd fuel me. I want to feel that rumbling in the chest. You can really feel it, you can soak it up, and it can push you along.

"It actually makes you more excited and enthusiastic. But the only concern is making certain you don't let that excitement bubble over, and that is something I also need to focus on.

"I just know it is going to be a fantastic challenge, and everything about it will be so demanding - covering kicks, up-front defence, executing our attack, showing variety in what we do, and looking for opposition weaknesses."

Adding to Burgess's excitement is that his parents, Catherine and Rowan, plus his sisters, Clare and Stephanie, arrived in London this week and will be part of the Twickenham crowd. It will also be the first time his family has seen him play overseas, and that is adding to Burgess's excitement about his trip to the old cabbage patch.

In his first year as Wallabies halfback, Burgess has impressed with his willingness to be adventurous and unpredictable. But he believes he still has a long way to go before he feels comfortable at Test level.

"It has been difficult getting used to the different timing and the different pressures at Test level," Burgess said. "You have to be so precise in everything you do. Getting accustomed to that has been an issue for me, but it is coming. I think I'm on the right track, and it is just a matter of continuing with my work."

Alongside Burgess will be a player who well knows how intimidating Twickenham can be. Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau made his Test debut there in 2002, and floundered off the bench. His next appearance in London in 2005, was a triumph.

"Yes, I have mixed memories of Twickenham," Giteau said. "It was a great place to get your first Test cap, but I was a little disappointed in how I played that day. But then the next time I played there, I was better and we won. Still, it doesn't get any better than playing at Twickenham."