Tom Johnstone hopes to copy Leeds hero Scott Donald and seal 3-0 England win
TOM Johnstone hopes home comforts can help him whitewash his England embarrassment after ‘copping it.’
The winger may have been born in Germany while his father was there serving with the Scots Guards but Leeds is home.
Now he gets to step out at the Headingley ground where he used to stand on the terraces as a fan with the aim of making sure Shaun Wane’s side seals a 3-0 series victory. Ideally, just like his Rhinos hero Scott Donald.
Getting a try would also help him get over bombing a dolly – the equivalent of missing an open goal – in the second Test.
Johnstone said: “I grew up in Leeds, lived there, Stanningley rugby club is where I played for many years. So it would be pretty good to get the win on that pitch.
“I was a Rhinos fan growing up, I’d go there every week and would stand with my grandad and my hero was Scott, a fast winger who could do the hard stuff and finish a try when given an opportunity.
“I’ve scored at Headingley before but doing it for England would be pretty special.”
Catalans star Johnstone should have scored as England sealed the series with a 14-4 win at Huddersfield – but from clubmate and prop Mike McMeeken’s pinpoint kick, he spilled the ball with the line begging.
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And rest assured, the 28-year-old has been reminded.
“I think that was the problem,” Johnstone added. “I didn’t expect such a great kick – that being said, though, you’ve got to finish them at this level.
“It’s definitely one that got away and I’ve copped it. It’s a good job the boys got the win, otherwise it would’ve been a very different story.
“I was a bit rattled for five or 10 minutes after, they’re just bread and butter and everyone expected me to get that.”
When he holds on, Johnstone is one of England’s main strike weapons, as his double in the first Test win showed – but his defensive work is also much improved,
And Tonga can claim a role in that progress in the form of brilliantly-named former international Sam Moa.
Now to round off a special series result with a ‘special, special’ group, one that has overcome the loss of first choice wingers Dom Young and Tommy Makinson.
He told SunSport: “I went into pre-season with Sam, who was defence coach and said, ‘We’ll tighten your defence up. We’ll work on being more aggressive, less passive and you’ll reap the regards.’
“That’s what I’ve introduced into my game and hopefully it’s doing the job.
“Tonga is a team full of NRL stars but we’ve matched them and gone above – but the job’s not done, we want to go out and make it 3-0.
“It’s tough, everything’s got to be on the money. Training is intense but this is a special, special group. Every minute is a joy to be around the players.
“And now there’s plenty of wing talent. We’ve got it in abundance and we’re always pushing each other.
“However, we’ve said since we came into camp ‘Squad first. If you’re not selected, do what you can to help the team,’ and it’s showed.
“You’re playing for England and you’ve got to work your arse off.”