Championship Talk: Moving up the levels

CHAMPIONSHIP TALK

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Moving up the levels

FEW players in rugby league can have experienced the varying levels of the sport that Halifax’s Challenge Cup hero James Woodburn-Hall has.

The London-born utility player helped book Fax’s place in this year’s semi-finals with his superb late winning try against Bradford Bulls on Sunday.

But his journey to that point has been an unusual one to say the least.

A London Broncos junior, Woodburn-Hall made his first team debut for the capital club in 2013, going onto play 13 Super League matches there.

Having featured briefly on loan at London Skolars, he moved north to start university in Leeds in 2015, and the following year was signed by Halifax to initially play in their reserve team.

The 24 year old impressed coach Richard Marshall enough to earn a permanent deal at the club, while at the same time continuing to play for the University of Leeds, winning the University Rugby League Player of the Year award and representing England at that level.

Last season he was a member of the Jamaican squad that made history by qualifying for the 2021 World Cup, and even this year’s path has not been a straight forward one.

The week before his Bradford heroics Woodburn-Hall was on dual registration at Hunslet, before being recalled to the Fax squad and then chosen on the bench with Ben Kaye unavailable due to getting married last weekend.

Fax coach Simon Grix explained after the game: “Woody would certainly have come into the 19 even if we’d had Benny Kaye, but I’m not saying he would definitely have played.

“He went to Hunslet last week and did what I asked him to do.

“He’s a bit hot and cold sometimes - I want him like he was today, when he’s hot, all the time but he’s got to develop that consistency.

“Woody came on at 13 and got his nose through the line a couple of times and we’re really pleased with what he’s done.

“I wanted him to run the ball, that’s his strength along with that ability to play just about anywhere.”

Woodburn-Hall also attended the post-match press conference to reflect on what was, even by his eclectic career’s standards, a remarkable eight days.

He said: “Having been at Hunslet last week it was a massive step up.

“I was buzzing to be in the squad, because Simon didn’t have to pick me this week.

“But he’s been honest from the start and said that if you’re playing well, you’ll get your chance.

“I got my chance and hopefully I made the most of it.”

He certainly did - and expect him to write a few more chapters of note as his career continues to unfold.