I didn’t think I’d make it here
“HE’S been hurt, he’s been hurt. Gareth Widdop is clutching his right hip,” said the Aussie commentator before adding: “Even Andrew Johns can’t look.”
“This will be season- ending,” Johns added as Widdop was taken to hospital immediately with a dislocated hip following a tackle by Ryan James and Albert Kelly.
It was June 24 and Melbourne Storm’s Halifaxborn stand- off had been carried off on a stretcher in agony during an NRL defeat against the Gold Coast Titans. His season – and indeed his World Cup hopes – seemed over.
But Widdop has forced his way into Steve McNamara’s line- up for tomorrow’s opener against Australia. He was named in a 19- man squad yesterday and is expected to feature off the bench, which would cap a remarkable turnaround for the 24- yearold who emigrated to Australia with his family in his mid- teens.
“I was devastated at the time of the injury,” said Widdop, whose Yorkshire accent is tinged with a heavy Aussie twang.
“I thought, ‘ My season is over and I might never play in a World Cup again’.
“I defi nitely thought I had no chance, but I worked really hard to get back in time because a World Cup doesn’t come around too often.
“After seeing the specialist there was hope, so I always had it in the back of my mind.
“In the past few weeks before the end of the season I was back running and then cleared by the specialist to play again.
“There’s no pain so maybe I’m just a quick healer. If I wasn’t right, I wouldn’t be playing now.”
Widdop’s return has presented McNamara with yet another headache before tomorrow’s clash with the much- fancied Kangaroos.
It is a huge call as England look to beat their old enemies for the fi rst time since Great Britain’s success in Sydney in 2006, and the England coach seems certain to start with captain Kevin Sinfi eld and New Zealand- born Rangi Chase as his half- back partnership.
Widdop made his feelings clear on the subject when he said: “I class myself as a starting half- back.
“I’ve played in the NRL for the past four years, been in the play- offs and won a Grand Final, so I want to be starting.
“But it’s the coach’s choice. We’ll just have to get on with whatever he decides.
“I believe I can do a job if I start but if Steve decides to not go that way, all I can do is keep training and hopefully I’ll get a chance and grab it with both hands.
“I’ve learnt over the years to direct a team after playing alongside players such as Cooper Cronk at Melbourne.”
Widdop has played his last game for Melbourne and will begin a four- year contract with St George Illawarra after the World Cup.
He added: “I’ve learnt a lot over the past few years but it was the right time to move on and become more of a leader.”
But fi rst the small matter of overcoming his adopted homeland in Cardiff tomorrow – and perhaps upsetting a few of his relatives.
“Hopefully my missus, Carley, and my two kids are supporting England,” said Widdop. “I spoke to them earlier and my young fella had on a little England shirt.
“Carley’s mum is English, so I’m sure they will be supporting England. I won’t be happy if they are not.”
McNamara will explain his controversial axing of Gareth Hock and the apparent suspension of James Graham this morning.
The England coach threw Hock out of his squad earlier this week after a drinking session involving several players last Saturday. Canterbury forward Graham was believed to be among the errant group and has been left out the 19- man squad – who yesterday received a good- luck video message from their union counterparts – to face Australia in what appears to be effectively a one- match ban.
Wigan captain Sean O’Loughlin misses out through injury but brothers Sam, George and Tom Burgess are all included.