'It was special': Herbie dedicates starring role in England win to grandma

THE Englishness of his mullet, moustache and accent have been questioned but Herbie Farnworth revealed after a career-defining performance that his preparation for England’s second Test win over Samoa had been interrupted by a heart-rending reminder of his origins.

The Burnley-born 24-year-old earned widespread praise for his two-try man-of-the-match performance in the 34-16 triumph, unfurling his dazzling footwork to run 177 metres.

He was narrowly denied a hat-trick but did all the work for fullback Jack Welsby’s late touchdown, too.

Last week coach Shaun Wane and captain George Williams made reference to the Dolphins centre's ‘Aussie twang” - the result of moving to Brisbane as a teenager - and on the BBC before kick-off on Saturday, former international Jon Wilkin ribbed him about his apparently Antipodean follicular choices before daring him to choose a Jaffa Cake over a Tim Tam.

But when pan66.com asked Farnworth on the way out of Headingley why he had missed a training session in the lead-up to a career-best performance, there was no joking around.

"I can talk about it - my grandma passed earlier this week," he said, identifying her as Anne McLoughlin, the mother his mum Joanne.

"It's been an emotional time for the family, so it was a special one today."

It was also a momentous day for the Dolphins at Test level with halfback Isaiah Katoa slotting the winning field goal in an epic at Go Media Stadium a few hours before Farnworth scorched the hallowed Headingley turf.

The 25th-minute sin bin stint of Samoa centre Junior Pauga for a high tackle on John Bateman (and for the repeated infringements of team-mates) was telling - two tries were scored in his absence.

Farnworth's first came with Pauga freshly back on the field, slipping through a gap on the left and gliding to the right to avoid cover. At 53 minutes, he seemingly stepped while still airbourne to take a pass, leaving three defenders grasping at air.

"Herbie Farnworth had another great game, really dominated the game," said Samoa coach Ben Gardiner.

"...late feet, when he carries the ball sometimes he goes to the line, sometimes he steps away from the line so he's hard to reach. 

"Then on the back of it he's got a brilliant off-load as well ... normally you've got to commit three to four players to the tackle to be able to deal with him. That means your defensive line is all over the shop."

The looming possibility of a home Ashes series in 12 months also had its impact, according to Wane.

England led 8-6 at the time of Pauga's dismissal; halfback Williams and winger Matty Ashton each then crossed and by the break it was 22-6 to the hosts.

"The players are up for it - they're talking about nothing else but Australia in there," said Wane, who reckoned Farnworth was "a credit to the Dolphins and the NRL - I'm just glad he's English"

But for the coach, a mid-season Test against France is seemingly not a good enough preparation for Mal Meninga's Kangaroos.

"I've played in a few Lancashire-Yorkshire games and it would be great if I could sit back and watch Lancashire and Yorkshire and there's a lot at stake and they're ripping into each other and (Lee) Briers is one coach and Andy Last is the other," he said.

"It would be fantastic and I'm sure it will happen in the next few years.

"State of Origin ...they've stuck at and look at that now. It's a worldwide success. We need to start somewhere and I think ... next year would be fantastic."

Gardiner said Kendall's decision to bin Sydney Rooster Pauga had been incorrect and costly, adding: "Incidental contact that has no malice in it, I haven't seen that sin binned in the past.

"Freak incident like that, Junior, I think he should have been given the benefit of the doubt."