Johnstone ‘buzzing’ after Bennett’s call
WAKEFIELD winger Tom Johnstone is ready to realise a dream after being called into the England squad for the Test series against New Zealand.
The prolific Johnstone is one of five uncapped players, along with Trinity team-mate Reece Lyne, St Helens prop Luke Thompson, Wigan second-rower Joe Greenwood and Castleford loose forward Adam Milner.
Wayne Bennett’s side beat the Kiwis in Denver in June and face them three times in the autumn at Hull, Elland Road and Anfield.
Johnstone, 23, was named in the Super League Dream Team on Monday with club-mates Bill Tupou and Matty Ashurst and this call-up caps an outstanding campaign for him.
“I’m over the moon to be named in the squad and playing against New Zealand would just top off a dream season,” he said.
“I wouldn’t have expected it at the start of the year. I hope I’m ready to make the step up and fit into the squad. I am buzzing.”
Johnstone’s call-up is as much a reward for his mental resilience as his tryscoring ability. He began the 2017 campaign as the hottest prospect in the game, having been crowned Super League Young Player of the Year the previous season. He scored seven tries in 12 games before being tearing a cruciate knee ligament in April and missing the rest of the season, wrecking his hopes of making the World Cup squad at a time when he was under serious consideration.
England played Samoa in a midseason Test last year and Johnstone was told he was on the radar, even though he was on the sidelines.
“I was pretty down when I first RADAR LOVE: Being told he was in England’s plans, despite injury, lifted Johnstone got injured and struggled to leave the house,” he said. “But getting that call from the England staff, telling me I was in their thoughts, gave me more drive to get back playing.”
Although injury rules out St George Illawarra half-back Gareth Widdop, there is a strong NRL contingent including Sam, Tom and George Burgess of South Sydney plus Canberra duo Elliott Whitehead and
Josh Hodgson.
ENGLAND SQUAD:
WIDNES have confirmed the departure of head coach Francis Cummins and assistant Eamon O’Carroll following the club’s relegation from Super League. WARRINGTON have signed prop Lama Tasi from Salford.