London Broncos winger Lee Kershaw says the daunting prospect of facing world champions Wigan this weekend pales in comparison to the challenges of self-sufficiency and spin cycles.
The 24-year-old winger landed at the newly promoted Super League club in February after a volatile period as a free agent after being released by relegated Wakefield at the end of last season.
It was a huge culture shock for Kershaw, who still lives with his parents in Bradford and had never traveled to the capital other than to watch the Bantams in the play-off final.
Kershaw, who currently lives near Roslyn Park, the Broncos’ training base, told the PA news agency: “It was a big step to move out and be self-sufficient. I have to learn quickly.”
“I haven’t washed any whites yet and I don’t have an ironing board, but I’m a really good cook. And my partner is going down in a few weeks, so I need her to help me sort out my feelings. I’ll give it to you.”
“I’d literally never been to London in my life other than to get on and off the coach at Wembley. We always went on holiday to Bridlington or Blackpool. So it’s been very different, but I’m enjoying it. I’m here.”
Kershaw’s struggle to find a new club towards the end of the season meant that he produced some outstanding performances for a struggling Wakefield side, not least the audacious length-of-field try that became his trademark. When you think about it, it was surprising.
After leaving Bellevue, Kershaw briefly enjoyed free agent status, working several bar shifts and training with Leeds Rhinos, but was then left without a club at the start of the new campaign. I gradually realized that it was possible.
“One night, my agent and London were talking and I really lost my mind,” he added. “I was pretty calm up until then, but I knew the games were coming and I didn’t want to miss any of them.
“Ever since I started, I’ve always been solely focused on playing rugby. That’s all I wanted to be and all I want to be at the moment. I’m a rugby player.”
Perhaps Kershaw’s highlight of 2023 was when he pounced on Bevan French’s spilled pass to score the try that secured a stunning golden point win against Wigan in July and at one point cost him a spot in the top flight. I was able to get what I wanted.
London suffered a narrow loss to Hull last week but have shown encouraging signs and despite reluctance on domestic issues, history will be made when Matt Peat faces the newly crowned world champions at Wimbledon on Saturday. Kershaw believes it could be repeated.
“I can’t think of a game that I didn’t think we could win,” Kershaw added. “I can be on any team and play against anyone. You could almost call it a delusion.
“Wigan are one of the best teams in the world and I still feel the same way.
“You watch the video, you listen to the coaches, every game you think you’re going to do this. But after a few minutes, you realize how difficult it is.”