Andy Last on the Ashes, putting club rivalries aside, beating Australia, and flying the flag for Hull.
It feels right that one of rugby league’s biggest international events has an influx of Hull blood amongst it. After all, the city is one of the sport’s true hotbeds, with its two professional clubs, Hull FC and Hull KR, very much a part of its fabric and foundation.
It’s not just any blood involved either, with Andy Last, one of the most passionate Black and Whites there is, ready to do his bit as England assistant coach, going up against the might and prestige of Australia in the first Ashes Test at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
Last won’t be on his own either, joined in Shaun Wane’s setup by two more Hull lads in Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten. And while the duo, Lewis set to start at half-back and Litten in the 19-man squad, now sit in the enemy’s camp at Hull KR, the only allegiance that matters in North London is the England one.
For Last, Lewis, and Litten, there’s a connection now at international level that puts club rivalry aside, with the trio coming together against the Kangaroo machine and set to give it all they’ve got.
“We’re England representatives now,” Last, speaking to Hull Live, said. “Your club affiliations are put to one side once you step into the England team.
“That is one of Shaun’s biggest strengths – he has created a real team and club mentality. There’s a real connection with the group, and lads who weren’t part of recent England teams but who have now come back into it can’t believe how connected we are as a group, and that’s credit to Shaun and the rest of the staff.
“Shaun is very big on team connection and creating that chemistry and that bond. I think it’s been evident when we’ve played – we’ve been very, very successful. We’ve only suffered defeat once and that was against Samoa in the World Cup semi-final.
“We’ve beaten some good teams, Tonga and Samoa, but this is the ultimate test. It’s Australia who are still the best team and the number one nation in the world. We’re just really excited and looking forward to the opportunity to go up against them.”
Flying the flag for the city of Hull, the Hull-born trio are determined to do their bit. For Last, there is a sense of humility, of pride, and of passion. A man who coaches with emotion, Last wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s ready to go.
“It’s fantastic and something we’re very proud of,” Last said of his Hull roots. “We’ve just done a meeting where the lads all got some messages from their loved ones at home.
“It was quite humbling seeing Dean Litten, Jez’s dad, speak about how proud he is of his son representing his country, and then Andy Lewis, Mikey’s dad, speaking about the opportunity his son has got to play.
“They are people who I’ve known right from my time at Hull FC and just being around Hull. To be a part of that with those two guys and that group of players, considering we haven’t played against the Aussies for so long, is fantastic and something, again, I’m very, very proud of. I’m hoping that we can create some moments that will burn into our memories for many years to come.”
On coaching England, a position he has held for five years, Last continued: “It’s a very humbling position that I find myself in. I got the job five years ago; Waney gave me a call out of the blue. I only knew Shaun at the time from being on the opposite sideline from his Wigan days and my Hull FC days, and to get that call was a real shock, but I’m extremely proud to be part of the England setup.
“Shaun is a great coach and a good friend. I’ve got huge respect for him and I just love being a part of it. I’m really fortunate. I’ve been able to coach some of these lads right through their England pathway.
“The likes of John Bateman, George Williams, and Joe Burgess – I first coached them in 2012 when they were 18-year-old lads playing for the England Academy. I built those relationships up and to see them mature into the players that they have become now is very rewarding.
“To be in the national coaching team now, it’s something that I grew up wanting to be a part of. I grew up watching England and Great Britain play Australia and I’m currently sat in a room in a hotel and I’m looking out at the arch at Wembley. It’s very surreal but I don’t take it for granted. I love the job and I love being a part of this setup. I’m really excited about the opportunity to go up against Australia.”
Ready for a first Ashes series in 22 years, confidence is high in the England camp. They know they have been completely written off by most, but that creates its own siege mentality.
“That’s when we’re at our best,” Last said on relishing those critics. “When we’re backed into the corner and nobody gives us a chance, that’s when we thrive.
“There’s a real love affair with the NRL but we’ve played a Tonga team that was littered with NRL players, and we beat them 3-0. We played a Samoa team that was littered with NRL players again last year and we beat them 2-0.
“We’re going up now against a star-studded Australian team, but we’re very confident in the group of players that we’ve got. We’ve got some world-class players, players that are playing in the NRL week in week out, and great players playing in the Super League. We think we will be more than a match for them.
“We’ve had a really good week. We’ve been very thorough in our preparation. We’ve had a good look at Australia individually and we’ve come up with a plan that we think we can execute and hopefully get the win on Saturday.”
It’s not just competing that matters for Last either. He genuinely believes England can win.
“I look through their team, I look through our team, and I think we can match them,” Last said. “We’ve got a strong forward pack who are aggressive and who move well. We’ve got some strike on our edges, and the spine we’ve gone with, we think, is very creative and will cause Australia some problems.
“We have got some world-class players and a lot of our boys want to showcase that and show that they have the ability to not only compete with Australia but be better than them. That’s what we’ll be looking to do this week.
“We know we have to play for the full 80 minutes, as that’s what the Aussies always do. It’s a big challenge, but it’s one we’re really looking forward to – we’re really excited.”