SM
Real Madrid vs AC Milan: 5 hrs 56 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Jack Hughes unfazed to make Lions debut in unfamiliar centre role

:Headline: Jack Hughes unfazed to make Lions debut in unfamiliar centre role: ID:377512: from db_amp
Zak Hardaker switches moves to the wing in place of the injured Ryan Hall.

Second rower Jack Hughes is confident he can do a job in a makeshift three-quarter line for Great Britain.

The Warrington forward will make his Lions debut at centre in the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday, with Zak Hardaker switching to the wing in place of the injured Ryan Hall.

The former Leeds winger dislocated his left patella five minutes from the end of Saturday's 12-8 defeat in Auckland and has returned to Sydney to continue his recovery with his club side, the Roosters.

Warrington's Jack Hughes will make his GB debut at centre (Chris Radburn/PA)

With Wigan centre Oliver Gildart also leaving the tour to continue his treatment for the shoulder he dislocated against Tonga, coach Wayne Bennett has been left without a specialist centre and only one recognised winger but, because of the travel and time constraints, he has decided not to send for a replacement.

Hughes began his career as a centre at Wigan and demonstrated his versatility by playing at stand-off in his team's Challenge Cup win over St Helens in August.

"Obviously a couple of injuries have tested the depth of the squad and Wayne has asked me to jump in at centre and do a job and I'll do it all the justice I can," Hughes said.

“It will be the proudest moment of my career by far. It's something I've aspired for since ever being a little kid watching Great Britain.”
- Jack Hughes

"It's not where I thought I would make my debut but I'm happy to do a job for the team. It's about team first, especially at this level.

"It's nothing new to me, nothing that fazes me. Back in my Wigan days, I played the majority of a full season at centre.

"Obviously you are under a bit more stress, a bit more pressure decision-making wise but it's nothing I can't handle.

"It will be the proudest moment of my career by far. It's something I've aspired for since being a little kid watching Great Britain."

Assistant coach Ian Watson does not believe the enforced changes weaken the team as they go in search of a series-levelling win.

"I think Zak will be great for us being out on the edge," Watson said. "His utility value is massive for us, being able to play centre, full-back and wing.

Zak Hardaker will switch to the wing for the second Test (Martin Rickett/PA)

"I don't think that will be a big loss just because of the person Zak is and Hughesy has played in the centre for Warrington and he's played at half as well so he's got the ability and the skill to play there.

"But the big thing is that he's very defensively sound which in international football is huge."

Britain have received some positive injury news with St Helens prop Luke Thompson recovering from  rib cartilage damage he sustained 12 minutes into the opening defeat by Tonga.

Luke Thompson is fit to return for Britain (Martin Rickett/PA)

He sat out last Saturday's first Test defeat in Auckland but has been named on an extended bench.

Team: J Lomax (St Helens); J McGillvary (Huddersfield), J Hughes (Warrington), J Connor (Hull FC), Z Hardaker (Wigan); G Widdop (St George Illawarra), J Hastings (Salford);  C Hill (Warrington), J Hodgson (Canberra), T Burgess (South Sydney), J Bateman (Canberra), E Whitehead (Canberra),  J Graham (St George Illawarra, capt).

Replacements (from): J Jones (Salford), J Philbin (Warrington), D Clark (Warrington),  A Walmsley (St Helens), B Austin (Warrington), G Williams New (Wigan), L Thompson (St Helens), L Coote (St Helens).

amp_article__377512 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-11-05 09:51:56:
html db last update - 2019-11-05 09:51:56 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Luke Thompson

Click here for more stories about New Zealand

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .