AJ BRIMSON is ready for the ‘dog shots’ from those who share his birthplace.
But he is ready to roar like an English lion as he looks to honour his family by helping their homeland to victory.
The Gold Coast Titans star may sound as Australian as they come but he must be English at heart – he loves a Greggs steak bake and TV quiz show Tipping Point.
He switched allegiance to be named in Shaun Wane’s squad for the three Test series,
Some may moan about having an ‘Aussie’ in the England squad but he is the only member of his immediate family to have been born there – Vanessa gave birth to older brothers Charlie and Will in Chertsey, Surrey before moving Down Under with his late father Ian.
Childhood holidays were almost always spent in Plymouth, where his ancestors hail from.
Now as he prepares to thrill family members in London and Windsor, Berkshire, at Wembley, Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and Headingley, there is no doubt of his commitment.
Team-mate and fellow NRL star Herbie Farnworth introduced him to Greggs in Manchester, the steak bake was met with approval.
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And as he stayed in the team hotel, he has become hooked to the ITV quiz fronted by Ben Shephard.
“If that comes with a few dog shots from the Aussies, that’s all right,” said Brimson.
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“Herbie took me under his wing for a few days – he showed me Greggs and things like that.
“But then he’s been leaving me high and dry, so I’ve been watching Tipping Point.
“It’s a big thing to have an Aussie-living player to come out here and play, so firstly, I know the task I have ahead of me. I know I’ve got to earn the respect of not only the players, but the fans as well.
“But I grew up coming to England, mainly down to Plymouth, which maybe wasn’t as fun for a kid, but I’d just run amok in the pool in the holidays.
“I’d go to London and then Windsor too. Those trips were a big part of my childhood.
“And it’s very, very exciting for me and my family to play for England, especially at Wembley. Mum’s obviously very happy, her family’s very happy.
“I’ve always loved England and the England jersey, even the football one, too. It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do.
“I just think it’s slick. I just really like it. There’s a lot that comes with it, but in terms of just the actual visuals, I just think it’s a really nice-looking kit.”
Vanessa’s role in Brimson’s path to England selection goes a lot deeper than just being born in the nation.
After Ian passed away when he was just 12-years-old after living with cancer, she stepped up and put in the miles that, eventually, brought him ‘home.’
And the change of allegiance, which meant a special International Rugby League hearing after playing for Australia in the 2019 World Cup Nines, was all his doing.
“When I told mum, she was stoked,” the 26-year-old, who can play full-back, stand-off or centre, added.
“Dad’s probably the reason I started playing rugby league, but mum stepped in as the full-time rugby parent.
“Growing up watching rugby union games, football games, rugby league games and cricket, she’d always be going for England and my dad would be going for Australia.
“Which country did I go for? England.
“I tried to switch back in 2022 and I was told I was ineligible, but I thought I’d just try my luck again.
“I expressed my interest and thought, ‘It’s been another few years, hopefully people change their minds.’
“There were a lot of hurdles to jump. It was a long road, jumping through hoops and things like that,
“I told my manager that’s what I want to do, that’s who I want to play for. If we can make it work, please do everything you can.
“But I got there in the end.”
