Tommy Makinson insists NRL move not on agenda – despite being trailed by media
St Helens and England winger reveals he was followed by Australian press man after meeting Newcastle Knights boss Nathan Brown during holiday!
TOMMY Makinson is the man the Aussies craved after his England heroics and after being spotted Down Under he was trailed by the media.
But this is one person who was never going to jump ship – getting a Super League title is a much higher priority.
For him, St Helens is everything and there is no way he would walk out on them. Not even for a shot in the NRL.
Winger Makinson leapt to everyone’s attention with sensational performances for his country as it saw off New Zealand in last year’s Test series and winning the coveted Golden Boot prize.
After then it was off to Australia on holiday and a meet-up with former boss Nathan Brown, who is now in charge of Newcastle Knights – but some unwanted Press attention as they assumed he was talking about a move.
However the truth was very different and after sticking by him during serious knee injuries, there was no way he would do the dirty on Saints as he recalled: “I went over there for a family holiday and met with a few old players and my old coach in Nathan.
“One day I even had a media guy following me around Newcastle. I was thinking, ‘What’s all this about?’ It’s pretty crazy.
“I’ve always said playing in the NRL is something I’d like to do but I’m contracted to Saints, who have given me the world by sticking by me through injury and poor form.
“It wasn’t nice and the rumours were damaging to the club. We’ve had a chat and St Helens know I’m contracted to them and have a few years remaining.”
St Helens won the League Leaders’ Shield last year but flopped in the semi-finals of both Super League and the Challenge Cup.
Now Justin Holbrook’s men aim to go at least two wins better, starting with Thursday’s huge opening day derby with Wigan.
And Makinson, 27, is determined not to let his new status go this his head, adding: “We had a great year last year but didn’t win the two main competitions. That’s my overriding memory, you can’t escape losing those two big games.
“It’s tiny, tiny margins but they’re the margins that win you the league.
“The Golden Boot was a fantastic award but I stripped that away as soon as I won it. It means nothing now as it’s been put away. I can’t go into this season thinking, ‘I’m Tommy Makinson, Golden Boot winner,’ as there’ll be another person wanting to be better than me.
“I’ve had to work hard to get to where I am. That won’t be undone by resting on my laurels.”