Put your shirt on McGillvary EXCLUSIVE

BENNETT TRUSTS HIM

LIONS coach Wayne Bennett did not mince his words when he offered a damning verdict on Jermaine McGillvary’s form.

But the Huddersfield winger took Bennett’s blunt assessment on the chin – in fact, he agreed.

McGillvary, 31, said: “Wayne said how s**t I’ve been all year but that he picked me because as soon as I put on an international shirt I produce my best.

“He said it in front of all the boys and they were laughing, but Wayne said he trusts me and I like that honesty.

“The facts are that my team finished close to relegation, and although we had some stand-out performers I wasn’t one of them.

“Wayne doesn’t hold back in what he tells you, but I’d rather have that than someone who sugarcoats things. He says it how it is but then he helps you fix whatever is wrong. He doesn’t just let you struggle, he helps you move forward.”

Top Super League tryscorer Tommy Makinson withdrew with injury on the eve of the Lions’ tour Down Under, leaving Bennett with two wingers.

But the Australian coach has such faith in McGillvary and Ryan Hall – another player who has had a poor season – that he did not call up a direct replacement for Makinson.

McGillvary said: “Some people have asked how it feels knowing that I’m going to be picked every week, but I don’t look at it like that.

“I’ve been picked for this Saturday’s match against Tonga but I’d never take it for granted and I’m never relaxed about it.

“There are other players who could play on the wing

and I try not to waste any training session.

“I’m coming to the end of my career and this is a massive opportunity to play for Great Britain. I’m going to do everything I can to stay in the team.”

McGillvary, included in the team of the tournament at the 2017 World Cup, came to rugby league late after spending most of his youth playing football.

But he knew about the Great Britain team because winger Henderson Gill lived a few doors away.

He said: “I knew he played but, to me, he was just a normal bloke and I went to school with his kids.

“It was only years later that one of the Huddersfield players saw me with him and told me he was an absolute legend.

“I hadn’t realised, but knowing that a local kid from Huddersfield was that inspirational to so many people was really special.”