History was made at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday after the iconic venue on Liverpool's waterfront played host to its first non-football event
Pyrotechnics pitchside before the ABK Beer Ashes Series match at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Pyrotechnics pitchside before the ABK Beer Ashes Series match at Hill Dickinson Stadium
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England star Mikey Lewis has delivered a glowing Hill Dickinson Stadium verdict and believes rugby league has found a new home. A sell-out crowd watched on as England's bid to win the rugby league Ashes for the first time in more than half a century was ended after they were beaten 14-4 by Australia.
England were looking to respond following a 26-6 defeat in the first Test at Wembley, and Shaun Wane's side certainly asked plenty of questions in the first-half. However, tries in the second-half from Cameron Munster and Hudson Young secured the Aussies a 14th consecutive series win.
It was the first time that the iconic venue on Liverpool's waterfront had played host to a non-football event.
And Lewis, who came off the bench with 11 minutes remaining, told Hull Live: "The atmosphere was unbelievable.
"It's a fantastic venue for rugby league, I reckon. I said to some of the boys, that it could be up there for a Magic Weekend if it happened.
"I know fans will want it close to a city centre, but from a player's perspective, that atmosphere was fantastic. That's what rugby league is about, the atmosphere, and I felt the Aussies felt that."
Newcastle United's St James' Park has hosted Magic Weekend in recent years, but it remains to be seen whether it will take place next year.
But, even if it doesn't, Lewis is still keen to see rugby league return to Hill Dickinson Stadium in the not too distant future.
"Newcastle is a fantastic venue, I'm not taking anything from that," he said. "But the atmosphere at Everton, there was something about it that was different.
Dominic Young is fouled by Reece Walsh during the England vs Australia Test match at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Dominic Young is fouled by Reece Walsh during the England vs Australia Test match at Hill Dickinson Stadium
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"It felt like everything was on top of you. It holds around 50,000, so I don't see why they can't look at it and see what the pros and cons are. Hopefully, one day we'll get to play here again."
Speaking to the ECHO before Saturday's game, Rhodri Jones, managing director of Rugby League Commercial, revealed he is hoping another event will take place at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
"It is a natural extension, I guess, from St Helens into Liverpool, it is the natural extension, but we really hope we will be back at Everton in the very near distant future," he said.
"We are confident, and not only have we sold the stadium out, but we are confident that Saturday will be a huge success.
"Hopefully the club and stadium will recognise that we are a viable sport and viable sporting events, as well. Hopefully we can get another event at Everton in the near future."
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