“This will be season-ending,†Johns added as Widdop was taken to hospital immediately with a dislocated hip following a tackle by Ryan James and Albert Kelly.
It was June 24 and Melbourne Storm’s Halifax-born stand-off had been carried off on a stretcher in agony during an NRL defeat against the Gold Coast Titans. His season – and indeed his World Cup hopes – seemed over.
But Widdop has forced his way into Steve McNamara’s line-up for tomorrow’s opener against Australia. He was named in a 19-man squad yesterday and is expected to feature off the bench, which would cap a remarkable turnaround for the 24-year-old who emigrated to Australia with his family in his mid-teens.
“I was devastated at the time of the injury,†said Widdop, whose Yorkshire accent is tinged with a heavy Aussie twang.
“I thought, ‘..
“I definitely thought I had no chance, but I worked really hard to get back in time because a World Cup doesn’t come around too often.
“After seeing the specialist there was hope, so I always had it in the back of my mind.
“In the past few weeks before the end of the season I was back running and then cleared by the specialist to play again.
“There’s no pain so maybe I’m just a quick healer. If I wasn’t right, I wouldn’t be playing now.â€
Widdop’s return has presented McNamara with yet another headache before tomorrow’s clash with the much-fancied Kangaroos.
Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/438471/Lions-skipper-Sam-Warburton-reinstated-as-Wales-captain-for-November-Tests
Rugby League: Gareth Widdop wants Steve McNamara to take a chance on him
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