Stef: we’ll copy Reds
My public banter with NFL star is good for our sport
CHRIS ROBSHAW is still haunted by the decision that cost England any chance of winning the Rugby World Cup on home turf.
The former Red Rose captain this week confirmed he is to leave English rugby at the end of the season for a two-year spell playing in the USA.
He will depart Harlequins still troubled by the memory of his decision to point to the corner instead of the posts when England played Wales at Twickenham in the 2015
World Cup.
With three minutes left and trailing by three points, a penalty goal from 30 metres would have forced the draw and kept the host nation in contention to progress. Instead Robshaw went for broke, challenge” with Hardaker, who said: “Lots of people in the NFL, the NRL and in Super League have been commenting on it.
“It’s a bit of a crack and we’re just having fun. We’re stuck in isolation without much entertainment, so this has been a laugh.
“And if it brings rugby league to the attention of the NFL then that’s great for our game.
“He’s got a huge fan base and some of them will be wondering about rugby league and hopefully want to see what it’s like. We’re going to keep at him every day.”
Hardaker can’t wait for Super League to resume in August, with training restarting next month, but the difficulties of lockdown have been lifted by the best news of his life.
He said: “My girlfriend Elisha is pregnant and we’re so happy. Out of this rubbish year, something great has come.”
England’s lineout was easily repelled, the game was lost and within a week his team had crashed out.
Asked for the highs and lows after 66 caps, 42 as captain, Robshaw (left) said both were in that tournament. “It finished badly, but to lead the guys out in that first game in a home World Cup representing my country, I could not have been
STEFAN RATCHFORD says Warrington can learn from Liverpool and break their own rugby league title hoodoo.
Warrington’s wait to become champions stretches back to 1955, but Liverpool fan Ratchford (below) claims his side can draw inspiration from the Reds when Super League restarts on August 2.
He said: “Liverpool have got the monkey off their back, and that’s kind of like us. We’ve come close so many times.
“But hopefully we can take something from this and once we have won one then more could follow.” prouder,” he said. “You have the emotions and sense the crowd.
“In terms of regret, it would come down to that Wales game.”
The flanker, who swaps the Stoop for California when he joins San Diego Legion, remained a fixture in Eddie Jones’ team for another three years despite losing the captaincy.
He added: “You have to take it all, the rough with the smooth.”