Imagine being at the pinnacle of your career, basking in the glory of a Grand Final victory, only to utter words you’d later regret. That’s exactly what happened to Mikey Lewis, who found himself in hot water after a post-match remark aimed at Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it a harmless boast or a misstep that could fuel a rivalry? Let’s dive in.
Mikey Lewis, fresh off a stellar performance in Hull KR’s Grand Final win over Wigan Warriors—where he also clinched the Rob Burrow Award for Player of the Match—made a comment that quickly went viral. As he strolled past journalists into the dressing room, he quipped, ‘Jake Connor who?’ seemingly brushing off his fellow playmaker’s achievements. And this is the part most people miss: the context behind the remark. Lewis later explained that a journalist’s comment about Connor and the Man of Steel award triggered his off-the-cuff response, which he now calls ‘embarrassing.’
Both Lewis and Connor are among the league’s top playmakers, and while Lewis secured an England call-up for the Ashes series, Connor was overlooked. This dynamic adds an extra layer of intrigue to their upcoming clash in Las Vegas, where the two will face off in a highly anticipated match. During a candid interview on Sky Sports’ The Bench podcast, Lewis admitted, ‘I feel a little bit embarrassed about it… it was in the heat of the moment.’
Here’s the kicker: despite the tension, Lewis and Connor are actually on good terms. ‘Me and Jake actually get on,’ Lewis revealed, ‘but you know those moments where you say something and immediately think, ‘Why did I just say that?’’ That was one of them.’ Adding to the complexity, Connor had just won the Man of Steel award two nights prior, while Lewis was still riding high on his Grand Final success.
This incident raises a thought-provoking question: Do moments of triumph sometimes cloud our judgment, leading to comments we later regret? Lewis seems to think so, acknowledging that Connor will likely use this as motivation in their next showdown. As fans eagerly await their Las Vegas face-off, one thing’s for sure: the rivalry between these two half-backs is about to get even more intense.
What do you think? Was Lewis’s remark a harmless boast or a misstep that could backfire? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
