MIK MADE UP BY SHAUN’S ‘SURPRISE’
MIKOLAJ OLEDZKI’S amazing journey reached a new height yesterday when he joined Shaun Wane’s England training squad.
The Polish-born front rower only started playing rugby league at 13 after his family moved from Gdansk when he was eight.
Nine years on, he was one of four players called up by Wane to join his first field session as coach in Leeds.
Rhinos team-mate Kruise Leeming and Huddersfield pair Matty English and Jake Wardle were also added to the group, with several players unable to train through injury.
For Oledzki – an England Academy international who lifted the Challenge Cup with Leeds last year – it was the latest step on his incredible path.
Oledzki, 22, said: “I guess you have to enjoy the journey, you never know where it’s going to take you. I am quite fortunate that in the space of a few years it has taken me this far.
“I’m very grateful but like to think it’s come from hard work and commitment from myself to be the best I can be.
“Every time I get an opportunity I make the most of it.”
Oledzki admitted he wasn’t sure whether the call from Wane was genuine. He said: “It was one of the best phone calls I’ve had in my rugby career.
“It was a pretty nice surprise. I couldn’t believe it, I thought it was somebody having me on. We had Zoom meetings with Shaun before the season started about what he would like to see from us.
“He showed us a few clips and a few videos, which areas we need to improve on and what it takes to be that international player.
“That helped us set a few targets to be at that international standard. It was great to get someone else’s point of view, too, not just coaches at your club, international coaches, so it was really beneficial to myself.”
Oledzki’s Leeds team-mate Zane Tetevano was last night handed a four-match ban for the tackle that saw him sent off against St Helens on Saturday.
Warrington winger Tom Lineham received a three-game suspension for a late hit against Swinton.