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LYONSYONS HASby CONNOR RISES TO TASK
ATIBA LYONS has decided bigger is best as he aims to turn his Sheffield Sharks into the BBL’s great entertainers.
And the Sharks boss hopes that approach can help him end his long 11-year wait for a BBL league title.
The New Yorker, 37, has won a host of honours in charge of the I ANBWHIITTGELL Sharks, with play-offs, the BBL Cup and Trophy all on his CV.
But the league title has eluded him and sparked Lyons into a summer shake-up that featured the signing of 6ft 10in American centre Bennett Koch. Lyons said: “We had the
JAKE CONNOR plans to turn on the style if he makes his Great Britain bow on Saturday.
The Hull centre was unlucky to miss out to Zak Hardaker in last weekend’s 14-6 Test defeat against Tonga.
But a tour-ending injury to Oliver Gildart means Connor is likely to get the nod from coach Wayne Bennett for Saturday’s Test match against New Zealand in Auckland.
It’s an opening the 25-year-old is determined to grab with both hands – and with a bit of flair thrown into the bargain.
He said: “I am gutted for Oli and it’s never nice for someone to go down for you to get a game. “But we’re all world-class players and if I get the opportunity I will take it and I will be so proud to play.” Connor made a brilliant try-scoring start to his England career in last year’s 36-18 mid-season win over New Zealand in Denver.
He’s scored a further three tries in his four England starts since then and would love to increase his international tally in Auckland.
He said: “If I get the chance to try something special I am going to try it 10 times out of 10.
“I like to be skilful, doing the extraordinary stuff and making things look exciting. I same style of basketball the last couple of years and so we needed to change things up a little bit.
“We brought in a true ‘big’ which we haven’t had for a while and we’re playing with more size generally.
“I think our fans are enjoying it.
“We’re playing fast and we’re good defensively, so I think we’re a fun side to from JULIE STOTT in Auckland
like to create my own playbook, my own style.
“The maverick stuff comes to me really easy and I honestly don’t know how. I surprised myself when I knew I could do things with the ball. It’s instinct.
“Everyone has got their attributes and you play as you normally play but you’ve got to make sure it comes off because if not Wayne will be down your throat.”
Bennett has copped some flak for picking six half-backs and only one specialist centre in Gildart, who is now ruled out.
But Connor, who regularly plays centre for Hull even though he prefers half-back, said the squad have complete faith in Bennett’s methods.
He added: “It is kind of weird trying to say why he’s so good and I don’t know how to explain it.
“I don’t know if it’s because you’re that scared of messing up in a game. In video sessions he can be pretty brutal.
“But his honesty is a good trait. You know about it if he gives it to you – and you really don’t want to mess up again.”
Connor started all three games against New Zealand last autumn and Kiwis coach Michael Maguire said they need to be ready for him.
The former Wigan boss said: “He is a strong player and grabbed a couple of tries, so I remember him well. We will look at how we can shut him down.” watch.” The Sharks top the Northern group in the BBL Cup with a 5-2 record and visit the Manchester Giants on Friday.
But Lyons admits that the early-season cup competition is not his No.1 target.
He added: “I haven’t won the league yet. If I had to pick one trophy I want to win, it would be that.
“But I want to win all of them if possible.”