WARRINGTON Wolves’ England Academy quartet have set their minds on a Test series victory over Australia.
The Evans twins Rhys and Ben, as well as Gareth O’Brien and James Laithwaite are expected to figure in young England’s clash with the Australian Schoolboys at Leigh Sports Village on Friday, kick off 7.30pm, after playing their part in a thrilling 38-30 victory in the opener at the same venue at the weekend.
Stand off O’Brien’s boot was crucial in the late stages as England fought back from 12 points behind for the second time.
With 10 minutes left, he kicked a conversion to a try from Wigan’s Sam Powell, nailed an eqalising penalty, converted a further try and then landed the penalty that opened up a crucial eight-point gap.
Loose forward Laithwaite, though, was awarded the man-of-the-match honour in England’s first defeat of the Aussies since 2004.
Coach Dave Elliott, the former Wolves back rower and coaching assistant, was proud of the display.
He said: “There have been people saying that the Australians are much better than us and that they are a more talented side, but we’ve got some skill in our team and our boys wanted to show that.
“We know the job’s only half done. We would love to win a series against the Australians and the lads are all very focused on winning the series, not just the one Test.”
England Academy: Matthew Russell (Wigan); Ryan King (Wigan, Jordan Thompson (Castleford), Rhys Evans (Warrington), Reece Lyne (Hull); Gareth O’Brien (Warrington), Sam Powell (Wigan), George Burgess (Bradford), Adam Milner (Castleford), Ben Evans (Warrington), Danny Bridge (Wigan), Jack Hughes (Wigan), James Laithwaite (Warrington). Subs: Adam O’Brien (Bradford), Jared Stewart (Leeds), Greg Burke (Wigan), Matthew Sarsfield (Wigan).
* More pictures in tomorrow's Warrington Guardian.
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