Jermaine McGillvary tells Zak Hardaker being a winger is like being a goalie
JERMAINE McGillvary is urging Zak Hardaker to channel his inner Alisson or Hugo Lloris – for playing on the wing is rugby league’s answer to being a goalkeeper.
Normally a full-back or centre for Wigan, Great Britain boss Wayne Bennett has moved him to the flank for Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand because of Ryan Hall’s injury.
And McGillvary told his international team-mate the challenge is as much mental as it is physical, just like it is for the top goalkeepers.
He also warned that any errors are magnified, just as keepers’ are in football, like his was when he did not finish a try that would have at least levelled the scores in the first Test.
McGillvary said: “Zak is more than capable but I’d compare being a winger to being a goalkeeper.
“Your errors stand out a lot more. Maybe it’s not as physical as playing down the middle but it’s certainly more mentally demanding.
“If you mess up, it’s highlighted even more. It looks much bigger. Just like goalkeepers’ mistakes are.”
McGillvary has had to hold his hands up to errors of his own after Saturday’s 12-8 defeat to the Kiwis – not least not scoring the try that would at least have levelled the scores.
He will not be up against Kenny Bromwich, who dislodged the ball as he dived for the line, in Christchurch after the back-rower returned to Melbourne for the birth of his second child.
But his frustrations were eased by bumping into some Tonga fans after the Auckland loss, just as he did after the Pacific island – who defeated the mighty Australia – defeated Great Britain 14-6.
The 31-year-old is the last specialist three-quarter standing after Hall dislocated his knee and Oliver Gildart his shoulder – Hardaker was playing centre anyway.
He will have Warrington back-rower Jack Hughes inside him as the Lions look to win at the third attempt.
And he added: “I should’ve scored that one. Nine times out of 10 I would’ve done but I let the team down massively.
“It was a great play by him – normally players try to push ones diving for the line out but he went straight for my hands and arms. I should’ve finished it though, I know that.
“If I scored, I’d have had a good game. Because I missed it, I’m the worst player in the world – I’m s***.
“But I bumped into Tongan fans after both the Kiwis and Tonga losses, they’re the best rugby league fans in the world. I’d never come across anything like them.
“They want to talk to you or take photos with you, even if you’ve just beaten them like England did at the World Cup.
“I was walking the streets in Hamilton and Auckland and came across them, they were great with me then. Now it would be great to meet them after a Great Britain win.”
GREAT BRITAIN TEAM V NEW ZEALAND
Lomax; McGillvary, Hughes, Connor, Hardaker; Widdop, Hastings; Hill, Hodgson, Burgess, Bateman, Whitehead, Graham. Interchange: Jones, Philbin, Clark, Walmsley.
