Now let’s beat Australia and rule the world
By MIKE KEEGAN
Jermaine mcGillvary sank to the auckland turf, exhausted, taking it all in. He wore the smile of a man trying to make sense of it all. There was no need for words. england had somehow survived what had looked like the greatest comeback in rugby league history to make their first World Cup final in 22 years.
as time expired, the neversaydie warriors of Tonga thought they had snatched the unlikeliest of victories.
amid chaotic scenes and roared on by what felt to winger mcGillvary like a ‘whole nation’, andrew Fifita regathered a ball that looked like it had been stripped to score what would have been a matchwinner for a team who, seven minutes previously, had been 20-0 down.
referee matt Cecchin had other ideas. He ruled a knockon, called time and refused the desperate pleas of the incredulous Tongans on the field and around 28,000 in the stands to go to a video referee who may well have had a different opinion.
among the myriad of emotions, relief was the strongest for mcGillvary.
The Huddersfield Giants player had, seconds earlier, picked up a loose ball in an act that should have killed the game and spared any controversy. However, it was ripped from his grasp and the frantic finale ensued. ‘it was pure relief,’ the 29-year- old told Sportsmail. ‘i could have been the most hated man in england.’
Mcgillvary is harsh on himself. He has been one of the stars of the tournament and has now scored tries in his last 10 matches in a white shirt. On Saturday, he will be one of the key men as england take on strong favourites australia in Brisbane.
But first there will be recovery. ‘after about three heart attacks i’m not feeling too bad,’ he joked. ‘it was madness. When they got the roll on us, a million and one things are going through your mind. i’d dropped the ball. i was on my knees wanting to cry but smiling because we are there.’
Mcgillvary, who set england on their way with the first try, revealed there were no joyous scenes in a dressing room you imagine resembled a war zone following a bruising battle. ‘There was no celebration,’ he said. ‘We’re happy. We
made the final — that was our goal. now we need to go on and win it.’
Few people expect england to prevail against the mighty Kangaroos.
if you think the england cricket team currently have a tough task to win the ashes, consider this — their rugby league counterparts have not won a Test series or deciding match against the aussies since 1970.
To make matters worse, they will be without influential hooker Josh Hodgson, who injured a knee in the semi-final win.
‘We are not deluded,’ said mcGillvary. ‘They are outstanding, star-studded. They are the best in the world for good reason.
‘They’ve beaten us in this tournament already. it is going to be tough.’
That long losing record is not lost on the affable fatherof three from Yorkshire.
‘Of course we are aware of it,’ he added. ‘it is what it is — we can’t change that. We are going to go there and do our best.’