England 22-18 Tonga: Mikey Lewis 'loved every second' of emotional international debut

This was no friendly. This was not just about Tonga being the first Pacific Island nation or tier two side to tour England. This was a full-blooded, hugely entertaining Test match.

To debutant, try scorer and man of the match Mikey Lewis, this meant everything - and it showed in his post-match interview.

The Hull KR half-back, 22, was the standout performer in England's 22-18 victory at St Helens that puts them 1-0 up in the three-match series, which continues in Huddersfield on Saturday and concludes in Leeds on 4 November.

Lewis, whose driving runs set up an assist for Toby King's opener before a try of his own in the first half, was audibly emotional when speaking to BBC One after the game.

"Words can't describe how I feel at the moment," he said. "I loved every second of that.

"The whole week, when I got told I was going to make my debut this week, I've haven't let it go by. I've enjoyed every moment and I've really enjoyed that 80 minutes out there.

"It's massive for me and my family. If you'd have said at the beginning of the year that I was going to make my England debut, I would have laughed at you.

"This is how much it means to me and my family. We'll enjoy this now, look back, watch the video and be ready to go again next week."

Lewis was selected in the starting 13 by head coach Shaun Wane after a hugely impressive individual season for the Robins, scoring 12 tries and providing 19 assists in Super League in 2023.

But for his team it was a year of near-misses; Rovers lost the Challenge Cup final to Leigh, and also lost in the semi-finals of the Super League play-offs to eventual winners Wigan.

Here, his brilliant performance was key in ensuring England were level at half-time against an impressive Tonga side, before the hosts pulled away in the second half via Tom Johnstone's double.

'I back my instincts'

Tonga ensured a grandstand finish with Tolutau Koula's late score reducing their deficit to four points, but England held on.

Lewis collected the player-of-the-match award, even if the man himself felt there was still room for improvement.

"It's a big step up but I've come a long way this year and I feel like I was ready for that moment," Lewis said.

"I'm just immensely proud of the win today, the boys really dug in. Tonga have got some unreal players with real experience and to get the win is massive for us.

"I back my instincts. All Shaun and the coaching staff wanted me to do is to run at them when they got tired.

"I can be better on that, I'll keep learning. There were a couple of defensive errors that I need to fix up, but I'll work on them to make sure I'm better."

'Genuine emotion connects with people'

Lewis was one of two debutants in a new-look England side, which featured just six of the players who started the golden-point loss to Samoa in last year's World Cup semi-final.

With England captain and fellow stand-off George Williams suspended, Lewis started in a half-back pairing with Wigan's Harry Smith and earned fulsome praise following the game - for his performance, pride and post-match emotion.

"When did it become cool not to care?" former England international Jon Wilkin said during his analysis on BBC One. "It became a thing where you need to be stoic and keep everything together, but genuine emotion connects with people.

"That's a player who is surprised to be here in this situation. Some players swagger into the international set-up, but I think that's a surprise for Mikey Lewis to be on this stage and deliver this performance. That can spiral his career northwards."

Ex-England captain Jamie Peacock added: "I think he's just authentic. What you see is what you get from him.

"He cares about playing for England and about his career. What a debut that is."

Reflecting on Lewis' try during the half-time interval, Peacock said: "Lewis has got swagger. He wants to make things happen. Every time you watch him in Super League, if you've never seen him before, he plays like someone who belies his age. He plays like someone who's played 300 games and makes things happen.

"He doesn't care he's playing against Tonga - 'give me the ball and I'll score a try.'"

'Good, can do a lot better'

Tonga were cheered on by loud and lively fans in the first match of their historic three-Test series in England

England coach Wane, however, was keen to keep Lewis' feet on the floor before two more tough matches against Tonga - ranked fifth in the world, one place below England.

"Good, can do a lot better," said Wane of Lewis in his post-match press conference. "He might not like me saying that, but he's talented, and did well against an athletic team.

"I know he can play, he's a running threat, and he has conducted himself so well, so credit to Hull KR.

"As soon as the decision was made [about Williams' suspension], it was all about Mikey. He talks and gives his opinion just like George, and has fitted in really well."

Wilkin was impressed with the partnership of Smith and Lewis, particularly how they combined for Lewis' score.

"Get excited about two young men doing their job very well," said ex-St Helens forward Wilkin. "There's nothing breath-taking about what Smith does [for the try] but he fixes defenders and creates an opportunity for Lewis to get into some space.

"Once he has space, his running style and his ability to beat defenders is self-evident. I love their combination."