Mikey Lewis: I Deserve My Spot in England's World Cup Squad

Mikey Lewis is confident that he has rightfully secured his spot in the England Rugby League World Cup squad, despite facing challenges during the season. The Hull KR player, who was named 2024 Man of Steel, had a tough 2026 Super League season, which led to questions about his form.

Recent Performance Highlights

Although Lewis did not make it into the matchday squad for England's opening game—a 30-12 defeat against Tonga—he was given a chance during the second match against France. After an unexpected reshuffle, he was named on the bench and made a significant impact, emerging in the final 20 minutes to score two tries in a dominating 82-0 victory.

Looking Forward to Papua New Guinea

As England prepares for a crucial matchup against Papua New Guinea in Wollongong this Friday, Lewis has once again been included in the squad, poised to come off the bench. He remains optimistic despite the ups and downs of the tournament.

"This year hasn't exactly gone as planned, and I don't need anyone to remind me of that," Lewis remarked. "But I've put myself forward, and I believe I've earned my place here. I take pride in representing my country, and my focus is on making a positive contribution on the field."

Team Mood and Strategy

Head coach Brian McDermott has praised Lewis for his humility and perseverance throughout the rough patches of the season. Now, the focus for McDermott and his squad shifts toward securing a position in the semi-finals.

With England's earlier heavy defeat looming over them, the team is aware that their journey is precariously balanced. They need to win against Papua New Guinea convincingly, coupled with favorable outcomes from other matches, to keep their hopes alive.

Heading into the last group stage clash, England currently holds two points. To have a chance at progression, not only do they require a win over Papua New Guinea, but they also need to achieve a healthy points difference to aid their semi-final aspirations.

Understand the Tournament Dynamics

The Rugby League World Cup features a unique format this year, combining groups B and C into a six-team table, where only the top two teams will advance to the knockouts. England's path to the semi-finals hinges on their performance against Papua New Guinea as well as the results of the matches involving Tonga and Samoa.

After Samoa's enormous victories—78-4 against France and 64-6 against Papua New Guinea—their points difference stands at an impressive +132. In contrast, England's recent win over France improved their standing to +64, leaving them significantly behind Samoa as they enter this final round.

To ensure advancement, a convincing victory against Papua New Guinea is vital. A win by 68 points or more would potentially secure England's place in the next round, depending on the outcome of the Samoa versus Tonga matchup.

Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Lewis stated, "We need to play our game according to the plan. It’s going to be a tough match, but we have the talent and the determination to succeed. We believe we have a chance, and we need to embrace it and work hard."