ADRIAN Morley hopes to not hear the six words that left him etched in Ashes history. “It’s a bad one, you’re off.”
They saw him red carded just 12 SECONDS into the last series between England and Australia, way back in 2003.
Charging from the kick-off, the legendary prop whacked Robbie Kearns high as he took the ball in – ref Steve Ganson spared no sympathy.
Listen to the legendary prop at functions and brother Chris, who turned up late to the Wigan match, asked a barman: “How’s he doing?”
The reply came: “Why don’t you ask him. He’s over there!”
But the main emotion is regret, as England could have won.
Morley said: “The first Test then, I take responsibility for. To get sent off at that stage of a Test match, I couldn’t figure it out really.
“I came back out and sat on the bench with the players, To say it was heartbreaking would be an understatement.
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“But we still could have sneaked it. That whole series was pretty heartbreaking. I felt that was a great opportunity, we had a fantastic side and it went down to the wire.”
Amazingly, that Ashes series was the last – but rivalries will be reignited, starting at Wembley today.
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Between 60,000 and 65,000 people are expected for the first Test, while Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and Leeds’ Headingley have long been sold out.
Morley, a Grand Final winner in Super League and the NRL, believes that shows what rugby league had been missing – he also tipped a homegrown star to play a huge role.
He added: “It’s the oldest and fiercest rivalry in international rugby league. When I think of internationals, I automatically think of us against the Aussies.
“Having an Ashes series back on our doorstep is absolutely fantastic and ticket sales have showed the appetite for it.
“Home advantage could be a crucial factor on England’s performance. Hopefully the Aussies won’t be used to playing in front of such a loud, patriotic crowd.
“It’s going to be tough, the Aussies are world champions for a reason but Shaun Wane’s picked a really handy squad.
“And England aren’t just going to go out there and make the numbers up, It’s a really exciting squad and I’ve got faith in the boys. They’re all tremendous players.”
Australia will know all about the talents NRL stars Herbie Farnworth, AJ Brimson and Dom Young have, as well as Kai Pearce-Paul, John Bateman and Morgan Smithies.
But Morley believes one heading Down Under can be key as he told SunSport: “Morgan Knowles has a lot to prove.
“He’s been one of the best forwards here for 10 years and the fact he’s going to the NRL, I think he’ll want to say, ‘This is what I’m all about.’ He’s due for a big series
“Mikey Lewis and Jack Welbsy may also have gone under the radar. Hopefully, they can bring the element of surprise.”
England’s players have also been given a message from a man who knows a thing or two about beating the Aussies, British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell.
The Wigan legend, who played alongside Morley in that 2033 series, said: “It’s an unbelievable privilege to be put in challenging situations and if you’ve got tough opportunities, you should relish them and walk towards them.
“You don’t progress in life unless you take those head on.”
