St Helens star breaks the silence over England’s World Cup exit

When England suffered defeat to Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final thanks to a Stephen Crichton drop goal, it was hard for England players to speak about the gut wrenching defeat.

Shaun Wane was clearly emotional in the press conference afterwards and skipper Sam Tomkins was clearly devastated.

Meanwhile, only a handful of players spoke to the media after this as many were dealing with high emotions.

Since then, not much has been said by those involved as the RFL review what happened.

Now though, Tommy Makinson has reflected on the defeat revealing that he will use the disappointment to spur him on in the World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers on February 16th.

“Definitely, any disappointment spurs you on. It was a great tournament and we didn’t achieve what we wanted to achieve,” Makinson said.

“Now we’re taking on the best of the best, if we can come out on top it would be great.”

Whilst Makinson uses England’s heartbreak as motivation, teammate Morgan Knowles is determined to show that Super League isn’t a “second tier competition.”

“It would be massive, it something that this group hasn’t been able to do because of the pandemic the opportunity has been taken away from us so there is probably a little more importance than there has been.

“I want to tick that box, I want to win it.

“We are seen as a second tier competition, we are going to be seen as underdogs, to go over there and win in their back yard would add a cherry on the cake but winning it is the main thing.

“I don’t think that comes into it, that is in the background but adds to that rivalry that they are the elite and we are second tier so we want to put our best foot forward, turn a few heads and impress.”