Hull ace Jake Connor reveals getting England call left him silent
Black and Whites' star also admits he feared his reputation as a wind-up merchant could have cost him a chance
JAKE Connor admits having his Sunday morning disturbed left him in a rare stunned silence - because it meant he learned he was called up by England.
And the Hull star has revealed he feared his reputation as a wind-up merchant could cost him.
Three Burgess brothers will be reunited for England for the first time in two years after George was recalled to the national squad.
George, a spectator when twin Thomas scored a try against Lebanon in last year’s World Cup, will line up alongside him and brother Sam against New Zealand in Denver on June 23.
He will also have Connor working with him after he was called up to the squad for the first time.
And the star, who was promoted from the England Knights' party after a fine Super League season, revealed his rush after getting the call and his fears he would get it in the first place.
“I got a call on Sunday morning. I had an inkling I was in contention, so I knew I’d find out then and for once I didn’t actually know what to say,” Connor, known as much for his verbal jousts with opponents as his quality play, told the Rugby Football League's Our League app.
“But I really thought my reputation could’ve gone against me, sometimes I take things a bit far. It’s all fun and games, though.”
National boss Wayne Bennett has, as expected, brought St Helens’ Tommy Makinson into his 19-man party.
George Burgess, 26, is expected to come off the bench in Denver along with Thomas while Sam is expected to start in the back row.
England play the Kiwis in a three-Test series at home in the Autumn but both sides are expected to pocket in the region of £280,000 from playing at the home of NFL giants Denver Broncos.
Castleford’s Mike McMeeken and Hull’s Scott Taylor miss out after making last year’s World Cup squad but Bennett insisted: “I have selected a strong squad that I believe has the ability and talent to beat New Zealand in Denver.
“Playing a mid-season test against Samoa last year proved invaluable and I’m sure this will be the same.”
