ADULT CHAT LINE
Lomax is playing better than ever now he’s fully recovered from injuries
FIVE years ago, when Russell Crowe was choosing St Helens over the Oscars, Jonny Lomax had more on his mind than just the World Club Challenge.
Saints star Lomax played full-back as South Sydney – the team co-owned by Gladiator star Crowe – brushed them aside 39-0, in a game that came between two horrendous knee injuries he battled back from.
Now fully fit and firing to the extent that many see him as the most influential player in Super League, Lomax is relishing the chance to focus on his performance against Sydney Roosters tonight.
He said: “I’m a lot fitter – last time I was four games in from an ACL reconstruction and the game after that it went again. I’m in a different place physically and mentally.
“That might be through age or experience and being challenged through those tough times brings you out the other side stronger. That’s where I am now – a lot more level-headed and that’s benefited me in playing.
“When I played in 2015 I was probably questioning whether my knee and my body was right and for a few years that definitely lingers in the back of your head.
“People say that while 2pm it
ROBERT LUI hopes to mark a weekend of milestones with victory at former club Salford.
The Leeds stand-off (above) turns 30 tomorrow after playing his 100th Super League game at his ex-employers today.
Lui switched between the clubs midway through last season but saw the Rhinos battle against relegation while Salford made it to the Grand Final.
Lui said: “They’re a tough team who work hard for takes six to nine months to get back on to the field after an ACL, it’s more like 24 months to really get over the injury.
“When you take that into account – and it’s probably something that is overlooked, the mental aspect of getting over injuries – I’m reaping the benefits now. I’m confident each other. We know we will have to bring our A-game.
“But I can’t wait. To play my 100th game against my old team – it’s meant to be – and it’s my birthday too on the weekend.
“It’s funny how things happen, but I have loved every game playing over here.
“I’ve struck up a good combination with Luke Gale, we’re playing good footy and it’s only going to go up from here.
“You never know, at the end of the year we could be holding something up.” and that confidence allows you to play more freely and concentrate on the job in hand.”
Lomax and his St Helens team-mates will need to be at their best to avoid another Australian lesson, given that the Roosters are seen as the standard bearers for the sport under coach Trent Robinson.
They have won three NRL Grand Finals in the seven seasons he has been in charge and topped the table on four occasions and are now bidding to be the first team to win back-to-back World Club Challenges.
Lomax added: “They’re always in and around that picture – we talk about benchmarks and they probably are the pinnacle in terms of what they’ve achieved in recent years.
“The brand of rugby they play, the set-for-set mentality and keeping the ball in play in a battle of attritional style, is how I believe the game should be played at times.
“But that means there is less pressure on us and it’s an opportunity and a challenge.”
The voice of Rugby League