Mikey Lewis has had to come down from one of his career highs after winning the Super League Grand Final but now he has his sights set on another career highlight if he can run out for England at Wembley Stadium.
It was a stellar player of the match performance for Lewis at Old Trafford. He guided Hull KR around the park as they secured their first-ever Grand Final victory over Wigan Warriors. It sealed the treble after Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield wins.
It was a monumental moment for both the sport and Lewis. Head coach Willie Peters declared it the “making” of him and England boss Shaun Wane admitted it did add an extra element to his selection decisions.
Now, Lewis is hoping he will be running out at Wembley come Saturday to take on Australia in the first of three Ashes Tests. But this time, there will be no celebrations with Peters.
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Mikey Lewis opens the scoring for Hull KR in the Super League Grand Final against Wigan Warriors
Indeed, the Hull KR boss is an assistant coach in the Kangaroos camp and will be giving the Australians the lowdown on what to expect.
While Lewis knows Peters knows him much better than most, it is also the faith from Peters that means he will be able to go out and play his best rugby against Australia.
“I’ve been questioned from my own coach, Willie, who’s on the other side,” Lewis said.
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Mikey Lewis can’t hold back the tears after Hull KR’s victory over Wigan Warriors in the Super League Grand Final
“I got questioned back in the year that he wanted me to perform on the biggest stage.
“He just wanted me to have that real good mindset that I can do it. It was just about doing my talking on the field.
“That’s what I want to keep doing. Having that real good mindset to do my talking on the field. I know I can do it. It’s just having that right mindset.
“It’s his job. He’s in the Kangaroo’s camp. Whatever he says (about me), it’ll probably be true.
“He watches me every day and day out. As long as I’m being me and playing my style and playing with a smile on my face, I won’t go too far wrong.”
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Harry Grant says that there are no hard feelings from the Australian team toward AJ Brimson after picking to play for England over the Kangaroos
And has Lewis come down from the incredible moment of winning the Grand Final? He insists that partying is out of his system.
“Obviously winning the Grand Final, a special moment for the league with it being a different team to win it and being the first team to do it and finally getting that ring and doing the treble as well.
“It was a dream come true to finally get it over the line. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a long time. So, it was a lot of celebrations, a lot of beers being drank. It was really good.
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England head coach Shaun Wane has called on everyone in the country to get behind his team ahead of the Rugby League Ashes, which starts this weekend. They are looking to win the series against Australia for the first time in 22 years
“I’ve got the sleep I needed, got the beers out of the system. So I’m really, really focused on the next three weeks ahead and I’m really excited for the opportunity and the challenge ahead.
“It would be massive to hopefully wear this England shirt again and go out there with a smile on my face and just play the style of rugby I do and make sure I’m doing the team proud and doing this country proud because I’m proud to be English and I’ll never take it for granted.”
Williams: This is the pinnacle of my career
While Lewis is chasing winning heights once again, England captain George Williams is hoping to join him, but is also looking to avenge his side’s heartbreaking loss to Samoa in the Rugby World Cup semi-final back in 2022.
For Williams, this would be the first step in making up for that moment.
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George Williams says leading out England against Australia in The Ashes is the ‘pinnacle’ of his career
“I am so proud. Being England captain is probably something I never thought I would be,” Williams said.
“You reach for the stars as a kid. To play for England for me was the pinnacle but to be the captain is the cherry on top.
“It does not get bigger than this. This will be the pinnacle of my career.
“I have been fortunate enough to play in Grand Finals but I think this will top it.
“The (Samoa) loss was the most gut-wrenching feeling I have had on the pitch.
“I don’t want to feel that again. This would go close to making up for that.”
Rugby League Ashes 2025
First Test: Saturday October 25, Wembley Stadium, London
Second Test: Saturday November 1, Everton Stadium, Liverpool
Third Test: Saturday November 8, Headingley Stadium, Leeds
