DOM Young has had to ditch sandals in Dubai for the Sandal area of Wakefield after his Ashes tilt ended in agony.
And the England winger believes that extra competition and uncertainty brought by playing in the NRL meant Australia cantered to a 3-0 whitewash.
Young impressed in the first two Tests but suffered a broken foot towards the end of the match at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, meaning he missed the Headingley loss.
It has also meant a redraw of his holiday plans – having his foot in a boot means he will remain at his West Yorkshire family’s home, rather than jet away for a break.
But he knows the gap between top and bottom of club competition is where the difference lies.
“When you play there week in, week out, it’s a high level and those little moments can have an effect,” said Newcastle Knights star Young.
“We didn’t get them right, defensively as well. You just can’t switch off and with the quality of player Australia has, you’re facing that competition every week – that can play a little part.
“It’s pretty intense in the NRL. Week to week it’s fast and it doesn’t matter who you play, you know you’re in for a game.
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“It’s a little step up in intensity and that’s the glaring difference. Going into the NRL season, you don’t really know the make-up of that in the top eight every year.
“In England, you kind of know who’s going to be there or thereabouts. It’s only good for the game over here to try and level it out a bit and even that playing field up.”
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Young admits expanding Super League to 14 teams for 2026 may help even up the competition and provide more of that intensity.
And the 24-year-old believes making it bigger can see new talent unearthed.
He added: “There’s a lot there. It’s about getting the opportunity and the chance to shine.
“Loads of people love saying, ‘There are some white-collar teams coming in that don’t have a lot of talent.’ I don’t think that’s the case.
“With all the young players coming through and stuff, it gives everyone an opportunity and there are a lot of players kind of in the shadows but who I think would excel if they’re given the right chance.”
Now England’s Ashes campaign is over, Young is just plain old Dom from Wakefield.
But his injury has meant a change of plan as he revealed: *I’ll probably have to do more rehab stuff than I’d have liked.
“I had a holiday planned, but luckily I wasn’t smart enough to book it.
“I was going to go to Dubai with Kai Pearce-Paul – it’s a nice little stopover heading to Australia – but when I go back, it’s almost like living on holiday. I get plenty of sun anyway.”
