Record-breaker Tommy Makinson says the emergence of Dom Young has forced him to raise his game as England prepare for the World Cup semi-finals.
St Helens winger Makinson was in outstanding form as his side blew Papua New Guinea away 46-6 on Saturday, the 31-year old starring with the first ever five-try haul for an England player, in a 30-point individual performance.
It was the first time this tournament that the headlines were made on the left wing, with 21-year old Young enjoying a sensational rise to prominence with eight tournament tries on the other flank. That has led to the nation’s record try scorer Ryan Hall losing his place in the team, and Makinson says it is no surprise that all three wingers are firing England towards glory.
READ MORE:
“Dom’s emergence has sharpened me up for sure,” Makinson told The Sportsman.
“When you are playing for your country and Shaun has selected three wingers who are all world class, I have hard work just to get in the team.
“It pushes you every day because Dom is class, Ryan Hall is absolutely brilliant and pushes you every day.
“But not only that, the players you play against, you want to produce for the group and if you don’t do it someone will take your shoes. That’s what elite sport is. I’d like to think it is the same for Dom and Ryan too.”
Makinson’s exploits left red-hot Young in the shade against PNG, but the Saints ace says any individual accolades are of little significance to the big goal of winning an historic home World Cup, with team-mates who have become good friends.
“The individual bits are nice, to score five tries is good but to be involved with this group is the dream,” he adds.
“That is much, much bigger. Saturday is a day I’ll always remember but there are plenty more memories to be made for sure.
“This is an honour, we have got each other’s backs, we train, have a laugh and then get down to business.
“The points and tries are great but there are much bigger things at stake and that is why we are so close, because we want to create history.
“Talk is cheap, we want to go out and do something special.”
England captain Sam Tomkins was left unsurprised by Makinson’s heroics at the weekend.
For so long on rival teams with Wigan and St Helens, the pair have established a fine understanding as England full-back and winger.
“Tommy is outstanding and he has been doing this for a long time and winning trophies every year,” Tomkins told The Sportsman.
“He will get accolades for scoring tries and kicking goals but it is the things he does in the backfield, the tough carries that wingers aren’t known for.
“The modern-day winger can’t just score tries anymore, they have to be good coming off their own end and nobody carries the ball as tough as Tommy.
“He will be humble but when he looks back on this tournament he will be proud.”
Shaun Wane names his squad for the semi-final against Samoa at noon on Thursday, and reported no new injuries from the weekend.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
