Mikey Lewis: Hull KR half-back tells Danny McGuire how his parents convinced him to pursue rugby league dream | Rugby League News

Hull Kingston Rovers half-back Mikey Lewis speaks to his childhood idol Danny McGuire about overcoming a major setback during his teenage years and his future aspirations in rugby league; watch Hull KR vs Castleford Tigers live on Sky Sports Arena on Friday from 7.30pm

Mikey Lewis made his Super League debut in 2019 against Wigan.

Mikey Lewis is one of the hottest properties in Super League but were it not for his parents he could have given up on the game.

The Hull KR half-back has started the new season with two tries in as many games but hark back five years and such a scenario appeared highly unlikely.

Having missed out on a place in the City of Hull Academy, a 15-year-old Lewis was considering whether he had a future in rugby league, only for his parents to intervene.

“I thought about doing something different,” said Lewis, speaking to his childhood idol Danny McGuire ahead of Friday’s Betfred Super League game with Castleford, live on Sky Sports.

“When Rovers and Hull merged into the City of Hull Academy my mum got a letter through the post saying I didn’t get picked.

Lewis has scored two tries in as many games this season

“That week was hard for myself and my family. I sat my mum and dad down and just said my heart’s not in it anymore and that I might need another focus.

“But they saw how much hard work I’d put in and said I can’t give up now. They gave me a few things to work on.”

That perseverance paid off as Lewis’ performances for West Hull earned him an academy spot for the following season. And he was soon moving across to the east side of the city.

“I was only 16 when Tim Sheens and Webbo [James Webster] spoke to me about coming down to train,” he said.

All those sacrifices I had to make, I’m really glad I did those things because I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t.

Mikey Lewis

“I was playing for City of Hull Academy then, I played in Catalans for my debut and did pretty well. They spoke to me just after the game, saying that if I wanted to train I could come down a couple of times a week.

“It was a shock really. The first thing I did was call my dad and told him the news. He was really happy for me.”

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February 25, 2022, 7:30pm

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After scoring seven tries in seven appearances during a loan spell with Newcastle Thunder, Tony Smith handed Lewis his Super League debut in 2019 against Wigan.

And his progression continued over the past two seasons. Lewis made 13 appearances and scored seven tries in 2021 as the Robins reached the Super League semi-finals, and he was rewarded with a new contract in November.

He also played at Wembley, featuring for York in the 1895 Cup final during a short loan spell at the Championship club.

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Highlights of Hull KR’s defeat to Huddersfield last weekend

“I knew how much I wanted to be a professional rugby league player,” said the 20-year-old, who made his England Knights bow against Jamaica last October.

“All those sacrifices I had to make, I’m really glad I did those things because I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t.”

One of Lewis’ targets for this season was to nail down a regular starting spot and he did his chances no harm with tries in the losses to Wigan and Huddersfield.

But what about his future aspirations?

“When you’re a young kid you watch the games in Australia and internationals, you want to go out to experience what it’s like,” he said.

“If I’m good enough to get there then I’ll just take it as it comes.

“I really want to represent my country and Great Britain but a lot of hard work has to go into that.”