It was a random number, I nearly didn’t answer it!
KR’S ABDULL ON HOW HE ALMOST MISSED HIS ENGLAND CALL-UP
Jordan Abdull admits a first England call-up is beyond his wildest dreams at the end of a memorable season for Hull KR. The half-back came into 2021 on the back of an indifferent first year at Craven Park that was punctuated by injuries, the coronavirus pandemic and even suspension.
But Abdull has found his best form this season as part of a settled left edge, helping to guide Rovers to the semi-finals of the play-offs while pushing himself into Man of Steel contention.
After missing out on the coveted individual honour, the 25-year-old got his reward for an outstanding campaign when he received an unexpected phone call from Shaun Wane.
Abdull had been due to go on holiday but there was no chance he was going to pass up an opportunity to play for his country.
“I got a call from Shaun last Thursday asking me to come into training this week,” he told the Mail.
“We had three sessions and he said he’d then be choosing a squad to play against France.
“I was just at home enjoying a bit of time off. It was a nice surprise and something I didn’t expect. It was just a random number and I normally don’t answer them either. It was lucky I did!
“I got another call on Saturday saying I’d made the Test squad and that I was going into camp. It’s really exciting.”
On the eve of the season, Abdull expressed his confidence that 2021 would be a better year both individually and collectively.
But he never expected to be selected for England duty after getting to within 80 minutes of the Grand Final.
“Honestly, not at all,” said Abdull.
“I always believed at club level that if we could keep our players on the pitch that we had a good chance of having a much better year than we have done in the recent past.
“But I don’t think anyone would have expected us to make a semi-final and come away from it thinking that if we would have just played a bit better we might have been able to win.
“I definitely didn’t expect to be in with an opportunity to represent my country. It wasn’t something I was giving much thought about. My full attention was trying to find consistency and doing my best for Hull KR.
“It sounds silly but every rugby player needs to be playing to get better.
“Last season it was hard because of injuries and then Covid - things you couldn’t really foresee happening.
“This year, even though I did my thumb I was relatively fit for most of the season and then you get that consistency.
“The reason our left edge was so potent through the year is because there weren’t many changes. It was only at the back end where people started getting injured.
“We played the majority of the season with the same four players and that breeds consistency. You do get relationships with players the more you play with them. It’s been a good year.”
Abdull linked up with his new international team-mates yesterday, his first experience of a camp environment since playing for England Under-18s.
He is one of only two specialist half-backs in the 20-man party but knows he needs to have a good week in training to nail down a place in Wane’s side for Saturday’s game against France.
“It’s been a while (since the last camp) and nothing of this magnitude,” said Abdull.
“I remember the feeling being brilliant when I played for the England Under-18s but I can’t imagine the feeling if I get to play next week.
“I’m not going to take anything for granted. Obviously I’ve seen the squad but there’s also players in there that can play half-back.
Kruise (Leeming) has done a great job for Leeds this year playing in the halves.
“I’m just going to get my head down in training and try to build some relationships with the boys.”
For Abdull, it will be a case of trying to do the things that have got him into this position.
That has been the message from Rovers head coach Tony Smith, who has had a major influence on Abdull’s career.
“I spoke to Tony straight after I’d spoken to Shaun the first time and he just said to go out at training and showcase what I can do,” said Abdull.
“A lot of my form this year has come down to the relationship that me and Tony have built over the last couple of years. We’re finally starting to know what to do to get the best out of me and the best way for me to communicate with him.
“I owe a lot to him. He’s shown a lot of trust in me, especially this year. I’m reaping the rewards for it now.”
If Smith is calm and measured in his approach on the training ground, Wane is the polar opposite.
The former Wigan Warriors head coach is known to be forthright with a fiery edge, which is another coaching style Abdull responds to.
“I really like him,” Abdull said. “He’s direct and to the point.
“I like that. You know where you stand straight away.
“He sets his standards high and tells you before every session what he expects from
you. If you live up to the standards that he wants, he’ll be happy and if you don’t then he’ll tell you.
“He looks really tough and I think people would probably be a bit intimidated by him but it’s only because he’s passionate about what he does and passionate about coaching his country.
“He’s got targets for putting in a good performance against France to build some momentum going into next year.”
Whether he makes his debut in Perpignan or not, Abdull is in Wane’s thoughts a year out from the World Cup.
But he understands he will have to make 2022 his best year yet to make the squad for the tournament on home soil.
“It’d mean a lot to me and my family,” he said on a potential debut this week.
“Whenever you play sport, the pinnacle is representing your country and even if you only get to do it once, it’s a memory that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
“I’m really looking forward to training this week and hopefully getting the opportunity to do that.
“If I play, I’ve got all the incentives to just keep playing for England. If I don’t make the squad, I have to do something more the year after.
“Either way, I can’t be sitting on my deckchair thinking I’m the best player on earth. There’s always stuff I need to get better at.
“If I had a sit down conversation with Shaun about it, I’m sure there would be things he’d want me to improve on before he decides his World Cup squad.
“We’ll just wait and see but a lot of it comes down to the attitude I go into pre-season with and how I carry myself next season as well.”