WELL, they got there in the end, didn’t they? England’s 22-18 win against Tonga at St Helens wasn’t the best they can be by any means, but they erased the painful memory of last year’s heart-breaking one-point defeat by Samoa in the World Cup semi-final; they set up this three-Test series nicely; and they unearthed a new young gun on the international scene in Mikey Lewis, Hull KR’s exciting, baby-faced half-back.
For me, Mikey’s magic stole the show on the field with his twinkle-toed man-of-the-match offering while, off it, his post-match interview was as refreshing as it was honest, emotional and revealing, writes ROGER HALSTEAD.
If anybody ever showed beyond doubt what it means to play for England it was this young Robin. He said:
“Words can’t describe how I feel right now. I loved every second of that.”
Fighting back the tears of joy, and rubbing an eye because it was watering, he went on:
“It’s massive for me and my family. When I think where I’ve come from in a short time, and if you had said at the start of the year I was going to make my England debut I would have laughed at you.”
“Genuine emotion connects with people,” said Jon Wilkin. And Jamie Peacock added: “Mikey’s authentic. He cares passionately about playing for England.”
I say:
“Well done, mate. In this day and age it’s heart-warming to see that players really care and that one of them is able to show it.”
It was 12-12 at half-time, but two second-half tries by Catalans winger Tom Johnstone took England out to 22-12 before Tonga scored a converted try to set up a grandstand, edge -of-your-seats thriller.
The second Test is at Huddersfield next Saturday and the third at Headingley on November 4,
Image via SWPix
