Willie Peters is expecting anything but a friendly reception from English fans over the next few weeks.
The Hull KR head coach and Kangaroos assistant was the toast of England rugby league a week ago after leading the Robins to their maiden Super League title. Now he’s the enemy.
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As a part of Kevin Walters’ coaching staff, he‘ll be helping Australia formalise a game plan to beat an England side consisting mainly of Super League stars he’s very familiar with.
“I know what I’m getting myself into. They will give it to me, there’s no doubt,” Peters told Code Sports.
“The fans are going to hate me over here, but that’s alright.
“They will give it to me in London and they will give it to me up there (in Hull) but that’s all part of rugby league.”
Three of Peters’ Hull KR players are in the England squad, those being Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten and Joe Burgess.
However, Peters’ allegiances lie with Australia and he’ll be providing with all the intel he has of Lewis, Burgess and Litten.
“I’m not here not to win,” Peters said.
“I’ve already had people congratulate me, whether they’re from KR or other clubs, but they can’t wish me luck. What they do well over here is support their team, whether it’s club footy or internationals.”
SHIBASAKI SET TO MAKE KANGAROOS DEBUT
Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki is being tipped to win a spot in the Kangaroos’ starting backline for the first Ashes Test against England at Wembley Stadium, capping a “crazy, crazy” year.
12 months ago, Shibasaki’s rugby league career was in limbo having just finished a season playing for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup.
At the start of the year, he signed a train and trial deal with the Broncos. Against the odds, he parlayed that opportunity into a starting role in the star-studded Brisbane backline, a debut Origin appearance, a premiership and now the chance to represent his country.
According to Code Sports, Shibasaki and Broncos teammate Kotoni Staggs will be Australia’s starting centres against England next Sunday morning (AEDT).
“It’s been a crazy, crazy season. It’s been unreal,” Shibasaki told Code Sports.
“If you told me last year I was going to the grand final this season I would have laughed, let alone making the Australian side.”
Shibasaki isn’t taking anything for granted amid his meteoric rise.
In Kangaroos camp, he made the stunning admission that if Michael Maguire and the Broncos didn’t like what they saw in the pre-season, that likely would have been the end of his NRL career.
“I’d be back home (in Townsville) working in NDIS support for kids with disabilities who are less fortunate,” Shibasaki said.
“I’m not young anymore so it was all-or-nothing. If it didn’t happen this year, there was nothing else after that.
“I knew I had more in me when I was back home in Townsville working. I wanted another crack but knew I had to go all the way and it worked.
“Madge (Maguire) was the right coach to do it with.”
Shibasaki isn’t the only player set to make their Kangaroos debut next weekend.
As per Code Sports, former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase will be named on the wing where he will be the latest cross-code star to represent his country in rugby union and rugby league.
Josh Addo-Carr is expected to win the other wing spot while Kevin Walters’ starting back row is tipped to be Hudson Young, Angus Crichton and Isaah Yeo.
LIKELY KANGAROOS 17 FOR OPENING ASHES TEST (ACCORDING TO CODE SPORTS)
1. Reece Walsh
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Cameron Munster
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9. Harry Grant
10. Pat Carrigan
11. Hudson Young
12. Angus Crichton
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Tom Dearden
15. Keaon Kolomatangi
16. Lindsay Collins
17. Reuben Cotter
Originally published as ‘Going to hate me’: Aussies’ new villain as rookies stack likely Test team