By STEVE MASCORD
INTERNATIONALS to come out of the NSW Northern Rivers town of Mullumbimby include Vic Armbruster – also capped 48 times by Queensland – and 1908 North Sydney pioneer Albert Broomham.
Tomorrow the local team, the Mullumbimby Giants, can add another man to that exclusive list: England winger Matty Ashton.
Best known for a clean pair of heels and a haircut more reminiscent of Broomham’s era, now-24-year-old Ashton has not arrived in a white jumper on his home stadium against France via a conventional route, either in terms of career trajectory or geographically.
“Mullumbimby … I went out there for a year when I was 19,” Ashton told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“When I was at Rochdale Mayfield first team, there was a couple of lads from Mullum’ come play for Rochdale Mayfield for a year.
“I got pally with them. I had nothing to lose. When they went home they said ‘if anyone wants to come play for Mullum Giants and live with them for a year then do it’.
“I was playing local amateur rugby league at the time. I didn’t have anything to stay for.
“I jumped at the opportunity and went and lived the life for a year … did a bit of travelling and played rugby in between and it was one of the best, unreal times of my life.
“But I’m glad I did it when I was young and I can focus on my rugby career now.
“I think it grew me as a player and a person, just being on my own and stuff like that. Ever since I came back from Australia things have looked up. I think that’s a massive part of it.”
Things certainly have. The former Swinton player is about to chalk up a half-century of appearances for Warrington and scores at a rate well above every second game.
But it wasn’t always so. In fact, he insists he wasn’t even always quick. “I think it developed. It just came out of nowhere. I always had long legs growing up. I used to play all sorts of positions growing up. I never knew what position I was.
“Then when I got the speed, I went to fullback and wing. I’ve shown everyone my pace now, I’ve kicked on.”
Test selection is all about family. While his England team-mate Tyler Dupree was reluctant to answer to an unfamiliar number when coach Shaun Wane called to tell him he had been selected, Ashton said: “I’ve got Waney’s number saved from the camp last year.
“The first thing I did was ring my dad, my number one fan. I was sat with my girlfriend. I let my family know the news. It was a really proud moment.
“My dad’s taken me everywhere, he’s never missed a game. I’ve been through different experiences with different family along the way.”
Which brings us to Mullumbimby couple Wajan and Ken Watkins.
“I call them my Aussie mum and dad. I’ve got them to thank. There’s a lot of people on the way who’ve supported me.
“I’m messaging them all the time. Obviously they’re proud of me. It’s all about family and I want to them proud when I pull on that shirt at the weekend.”
Image: Allan McKenzie/SWpix