World Cup is on cards for Higson
LEIGH’S unsung hero Adam Higson could be an England wild card for the World Cup.
The winger only made his Super League debut last month after nine years in the Championship.
But Centurions coach Neil Jukes is convinced his man could be on the plane to Australia later this year.
He said: “I really believe he could be the wild card for the England squad at the end of the year. You want your wingers to be quick, come up with some big plays and to do the tough stuff as well and Adam has all that.
Fight
“He’s grounded and a bit of a shy lad but I’ve known Adam for a long time and have seen him prosper and grow.
“He’s still got things to learn but if he buys into that, stays injury-free and keeps consistent, then he can be on that plane.”
Higson, 29, has a fight on his hands with established internationals Ryan Hall, Jermaine McGillvary and Joe Burgess ahead of him in the pecking order.
But Jukes believes England coach Wayne Bennett is not afraid to look at players who could shake up the normal order. He added: “Look at Mark Percival at St Helens last year.
“He was probably a dark horse but set down a marker, so Adam knows it can happen.”
Higson will be looking to score for the third successive game when the Centurions travel to Wakefield tonight.
Promoted Leigh are flying in sixth after three wins from their opening six games but face Trinity players who were stung by claims from coach Chris Chester that they were dishonest in last Friday’s 38-14 defeat at Leeds.
Jukes said: “We need to be on red alert because you’d expect the players to react after that comment.”