November 2007
Great Britain vs New Zealand Test Series
Sam Burgess bursts onto the international scene but the series result is not one to remember for club team mate Shontayne Hape.
Great Britain whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 in the Gillette Fusion Test Series to lift the Baskerville Shield. Victories at Huddersfield, Hull and Wigan ensured that Great Britain broke off into the four separate nations for the World Cup on a high as they sealed their first series win in fourteen years.
The game at the Galpharm Stadium saw Tony Smith’s men win 20-14. Maurie Fa’asavalu, whose inclusion stirred up some mixed reactions, silenced his critics by scoring a try and is fast becoming a fans favourite. However, this was overshadowed by another debutant, 18 year old Sam Burgess who also capped off his first appearance with a try and is drawing comparisons with a certain Andy Farrell.
“To start my international career off as I have done is fantastic and I hope it’s a sign of things to come for myself and Great Britain rugby league.”
After making such a promising start to your career, what are you looking to achieve now in rugby league?
“I hope to kick on with my club and country, keep improving the way I have done this season and playing in as many tests as I can. My main goal is to play as much as I can for Bradford but earning lots of caps for my country is important as well.”
And maybe a trip to Australia next year?
“Yes, definitely and the squad we’ve got I think we have a good chance down there if we keep playing like we are doing at the moment.”
We were only at school a couple of years ago and you’ve gone up in stature so rapidly in such a short space of time. How do you feel about your progress?
“I’m very happy with my progress and it’s a great credit to Bradford Bulls who have developed me as a player and I’m grateful to them for all the opportunities that they have given me.”
What do you think your chances are of winning Super League next season?
“We’ve got a great squad and have every chance of winning it. I think Steve will get the best out of us and we’ll be up there challenging for a spot in the Grand Final come the end of the season.”
Finally, you won the Young Player of the Year award last season, how did that make you feel and do you think you can win the Man of Steel award one day?
“It was fantastic to win the Young Player of the Year award in my first full season in Super League. As for the Man of Steel award, I won’t say I will win it but it’s something to look forward to in the future.”
The second match, at the KC Stadium, produced, arguably, Great Britain’s best performance in recent memory as the Kiwis were trounced 44-0.
Bradford Bulls centre, Shontayne Hape was unfortunate enough to be on the losing side for New Zealand despite scoring two tries in the first game. He had this to say:
“It has been a very disappointing series but on the other hand we’ve blooded a lot of new talent with young players coming through. I think we’ll learn from the experience and hopefully rebuild for next year. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered by the players and management and now I have to go back to Bradford and deal with the stick from the lads!”
Last season was a disappointing one for Bradford, what do you think is the aim for next season?
“It certainly was a disappointing way to go out against Wigan but it just makes us want to work harder and achieve some success but next years a new start and we’ve got five new signings coming over who will help the squad and I think we’re going to be a lot better next season.”
You play alongside Sam Burgess at Bradford who made his debut for Great Britain in the series, but from your point of view, how good is he at such a young age?
“He’s awesome and a great talent. We have seen how good he is in this test series and the lad has stepped up very well to international level and he’ll get better as he grows older and matures. The best is yet to come from him.”
Finally, he won the Young Player of the Year award; do you think he can one day win the Man of Steel award?
“Why not? Sam’s proven how good he is. I play with him week in week out at Bradford and he amazes me sometimes with some of the stuff he does. I think he’ll be up there in the near future.”
The final game, with the series already over, took place at the JJB Stadium. Despite putting up a spirited fight for the first half an hour and going ahead, New Zealand were unable to cope with the pressure from Great Britain who eventually won 28-22.
Although the players produced the goods on the pitch, they would have been unable to do so without the help of the backroom staff. Steve McNamara had this to say:
“It’s a very proud moment for us all to be part of a series whitewash over New Zealand and it has been a long time coming. We’ve managed to get in and get the job done which is very pleasing. Now we can look forward to the World Cup next year.”
You’re assistant to Tony Smith in the Great Britain set up; do you think this helps you as a coach and can you learn anything from looking at his managerial style?
“Me and Tony have worked together for a number of years and being involved, not just with him but the group of players that we have, we’ve managed to get the job done. Tony’s a fantastic coach and obviously at any stage in coaching or any profession you’re looking learn from someone.”
And maybe, one day, you’ll be looking to go full time coach of Great Britain?
“Any young aspiring player wants to play for Great Britain and any young aspiring coach wants to be the leader of the side so one day I’ll get that opportunity but I’m happy as I am at the moment. I love coaching Bradford Bulls and being assistant to Tony Smith at Great Britain.”
You have young Sam Burgess playing at Bradford and also for Great Britain now. How pleased are you with the progress made by him this season?
“Outstanding. Sam is a credit to his parents and to his whole family. As a young boy of 18, to be as mature and sensible as he is in his approach to things is fantastic and I am really happy with the development he has made. He is certainly a terrific star for the future.”
What about his chances of achieving the Man of Steel award one day?
“He’s just won the Young Player of the Year award but we’re not going to get too carried away. Putting everything together, he’s set himself a platform to push on and you would like to think that somewhere down the line he can pick up a big individual award.”
What are you looking to accomplish as Bradford next season as it was quite a disappointing end to last season?
“I wouldn’t say disappointing because we had quite a consistent season but it was a disappointing end as we bombed out in spectacular fashion. We have to put that right next time round and maybe pick up some silverware next season.”
Just a quick word on Abdul Khan at your club. Have you been monitoring his progress and how do you think he is doing, maybe following in Sam’s footsteps and breaking into the senior squad one day?
“Abdul’s got some way to go yet. He’s a young boy who is developing along with the rest of the group that we have and as with everybody, he has had some good games and some not so good but he’s a pleasure to have around the place and is doing very well. Coming from a cultural background that is not renowned for producing rugby league players, he is certainly a big, strong lad and is adapting himself well.
Hopefully, he can be one of many Asian players, be able to attract them to Bradford Bulls and also bring in more Asian supporters to rugby league. It’s a big area with a large Asian population which we haven’t tapped into properly but with the help of Abdul and other people, we can get them playing and watching the game.”
It has been a great series for Great Britain after a comprehensive victory over New Zealand who have a lot of work to do if they are to challenge for the World Cup next year. The players and supporters of Great Britain mustn’t get too carried away with the victory but the team have a difficult task against the host and holders Australia, if they are to lift the World Cup.
Shamoon Hafez
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