England’s Mikolaj Oledzki said ending the Ashes series against Australia 2-1 felt almost like “life or death” after the Kangaroos went on to win the series.
The Green and Gold took a 2-0 lead with a 14-4 win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, before also winning 26-6 at Wembley in the opening Test.
That means England head to Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium on Saturday November 8 with all focus on avoiding a series of whitewashes.
For Oledzki, finishing the Ashes series with a 3-0 whitewash for the first time in 23 years is simply “not going to happen” and the “proud” group of England players will do everything they can to prevent it from happening.
“Look, I can’t say life or death, but it feels that way,” Oledzki said. sky sports.
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Megan Wellens gives her verdict on the second match of the Rugby League Ashes as Australia wrap up the series after a 14-4 win over England.
“We are a proud group. It means everything to put on an England shirt for everyone. It is the ultimate honor to represent England. Some players never get to do it.
“So these opportunities are very special and they can’t happen, you know? I won’t say it out loud, but they can’t happen.
“We’ll make sure all eyes are on us next week. We can’t do anything right now, but we’ll have all eyes on us next week and do our best to make it a 2-1 series.”
The series has been played at some iconic stadiums, with Wembley hosting the opening match and the sold-out Hill Dickinson Stadium serving as the backdrop for the second Test.
But now the series concludes in front of a sell-out Headingley crowd at one of Rugby League’s home grounds in Leeds.
For Oledzki, Headingley is a special venue where he has played almost his entire professional career and he hopes the crowd will bring a memorable atmosphere to Australia.
If he actually gets to participate in that moment, it will have a “special place” in his heart.
“It’s a special place. I’ve played there since I was a kid. I’ve been at Leeds since I started my career. Headingley holds a special place in my heart,” he added.
“Look, it’s absolutely breathtaking. This stadium is amazing. The atmosphere at Hill Dickinson is amazing.
“But Mr. Headingley, I think you won’t get 50,000 people in there, but the numbers you’ll get in there will be the loudest and most threatening. You’ll get a proper Northern welcome.
“We have great fans, we have great fans and I’m 100% sure they will support us.
“I don’t think some of the young people who put on an Australia shirt will ever experience this atmosphere, so this is a great stadium full of rich history.
“It would mean a lot to me to be able to put on the shirt again and represent England in a stadium that holds a very special place in my heart as a Leeds player.”
Rugby League Ashes 2025
First test: England 6-26 Australia
Second Test: England 4-14 Australia
Third test: Saturday 8 November, Leeds Headingley Stadium
