Gareth Widdop on tackling Tonga, winter, Warrington and wet clothes
GARETH Widdop is thanking his lucky stars he is not having a sinking feeling with Great Britain.
For his clothes were dry before players had to scarper from their hotel because of a huge fire!
The half-back ace found himself in the scene of an evacuation after a blaze broke out close to where Wayne Bennett’s men were staying in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday.
Everyone was given about 20 minutes to pack their things and leave as the blaze at SkyCity Convention Centre sent smoke billowing across the city.
Now he is at their base in Hamilton, where Wayne Bennett’s side faces Tonga on Saturday, things are finally starting to settle.
But Widdop's main emotion is relief that he did his washing when he did.
He said: “I was just doing my washing and when I walked out of the room, smoke was everywhere.
“Initially I thought it was a strike because of everyone in yellow vests but that was the construction staff fleeing!
“We were staying one or two streets away from the fire and we were told we may have to evacuate. Then we were told to pack our bags.
“Luckily, my washing was dry. It had just finished – otherwise I’d have been stuffed!”
Widdop came through in Australia after emigrating when he was 16-years-old and established himself as an NRL star.
But he will be returning with the Super League-based aces after moving to Warrington for 2020.
Grandmother Irene had best get the cooker ready as him, wife Carley and children Brayden, Harper and Willow will be heading to her home in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
While he is looking forward to that prospect, as well as realising a long held ambition of playing in Super League, the thought of an English winter sends him cold, possibly literally.
“No, not at all,” he replied when asked if winter over here appeals. “I’ve been used to running around in summer in 30 or 40 degrees in a pair of shorts.
“Let’s just say I’ll be bringing a few pairs of skins with me.
“But it’s all part of it and I’m really looking forward to getting over with my wife and kids, even if the first couple of months are going to be testing.
“My journey has been different to other English players in that I came through at an NRL club but I watched Super League when I was a kid – that was the competition.
“Playing in England is something I’ve wanted to do and I’ve been lucky enough to get a move to Warrington.
“My gran has always been a big supporter – although I still think she’ll get up at 5am to watch NRL games, even though she said she as doing it to watch me.
“And it will be great for her and granddad to be around the kids. We’ll definitely make the most of it.”
Widdop has been named at stand-off for Saturday’s clash, Great Britain’s first Test for 12 years.
It brings back memories of watching the likes of Adrian Morley in the shirt, especially when he received the fastest ever red card after just 12 seconds.
Widdop told SunSport he remembers that occasion well and taunted the man on the receiving end in 2003, Robbie Kearns, for ‘lying down’ when he came through at Melbourne Storm, where he was on the staff.
However, a much calmer day against Tonga than the 2017 World Cup semi-final that almost saw England throw away a 20-0 lead would go down very nicely.
“That was one of the best games I’ve ever played in,” the 30-year-old recalled about the occasion, which was essentially England against 30,013 hymn-singing Tongans.
“There were a lot of emotions that day. The good, the bad and the craziness of the fans. It was incredible.
“Hopefully the atmosphere is the same, although hopefully we don’t put ourselves in the same position.”
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