Everton Hill Dickinson
England’s quest to win the rugby league Ashes for the first time in over half a century was halted as they suffered a 14-4 defeat against Australia. The match, held at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Liverpool’s waterfront, marked the first non-football event at the iconic venue. Despite the loss, the event was a spectacle, drawing a sell-out crowd eager to witness the historic encounter.
Lewis said: “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.”
Lewis continued: “Newcastle is a fantastic venue, I’m not taking anything from that. But the atmosphere at Everton, there was something about it that was different. 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. 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. We are confident, and not only have we sold the stadium out, but we are confident that Saturday will be a huge success.”
The match saw Australia secure their 14th consecutive series win, with second-half tries from Cameron Munster and Hudson Young sealing the victory. The atmosphere at Hill Dickinson Stadium was praised by players and fans alike, with many considering it a potential venue for future rugby league events, such as the Magic Weekend. While Newcastle United’s St James’ Park has been a recent host, the unique setting and capacity of Hill Dickinson Stadium have sparked interest for future events.
The success of the event at Hill Dickinson Stadium underscores the potential for rugby league to expand its presence in Liverpool, bridging the gap from traditional strongholds like St Helens. With the stadium’s capacity and the enthusiastic response from the crowd, there is optimism that rugby league could become a regular feature at the venue.
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