Mikey Lewis has looked back on what he’s described as a ‘tough couple of months’ with the Hull KR man revealing that he had the option to sit out on Friday night but ultimately chose to play.
Hull KR will travel to St Helens for their round 27 game but it’s a squad that has seen 14 changes made to last week’s 21-man squad, and that’s left Mikey Lewis as one of just a handful of senior players.
Of course, Lewis is actually returning to the squad after completing his two-match suspension with the England international having played just once since late July as a result of a four-match and then a two-match ban.
He was also sat down by Willie Peters for the game against Toulouse with the Hull KR coach making a statement about the levels of discipline he expects from his players, a decision that Lewis has now agreed with.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Lewis addressed his Toulouse snub, stating: “It was tough but it was the coach’s decision at the end of the day and I stand by it. It’s a statement that it’s not acceptable at this club and it’s not. I understood that well and we’ve moved forward from that.
“We’re in the playoffs and we’ve got to think about looking forward now instead of behind us. That’s the mindset I’m thinking, looking forward in the future and then see where it takes us.”
On the fact he’s had to sit on the sidelines and watch in recent weeks, Lewis said: “[It’s not felt] very good. I hated it but it’s only from my own actions.
“There’s a fine line and I’ve got to keep under that fine line to make sure I’m not punishing my teammates and I’ve got to improve that tomorrow night.”
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Mikey Lewis keen to put ban behind him
Tough was one of the common words that Lewis used throughout the presser as he admitted that the past couple of months have been just that, albeit perhaps necessary.
The 25-year-old explained: “It’s been a tough couple of months for myself but it was something I probably needed, just working on myself, working on the mental game.
“I feel like it’s behind me now and I’m looking forward to Friday night.”
Asked what exactly he’s worked on away from the game, he said: “I won’t go into much detail of it, but obviously there are a few things in my game that I needed to sort out but it’s all behind me, like I say.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and doing this badge proud again.”
Lewis will be tasked with captaining what’s set to be a very young squad with plenty of players possibly set to debut and like many other senior players, he too was given the option to sit it out but he refused.
“It was an option, but I feel like the last couple of months have not been good enough for my standards and what the standards that I set for myself,” Lewis explained.
“We had the conversations about it and over the week, I’ve thought about it and I want to be playing rugby again and I feel like I’ve got a lot of making up to the other lads who are obviously having a rest.
“I’ve got to put my best foot forward to obviously lead these young lads out and do the club proud. It’ll be a massive honour tomorrow night… I chose to play just because of the last couple of months and I really owe it to the club and obviously my teammates most.”
Hull KR could finish as high as fifth with a win and a loss for Leigh Leopards though they’re destined to travel away in the first round of the play-offs regardless of the result at St Helens.
