Lewis Murphy says Wakefield have to believe they can stay in Super League to achieve survival
LEWIS Murphy admits Wakefield’s survival fight is all about belief – win that and he can keep on having strange experiences.
Weird times like playing against boyhood heroes in Huddersfield pair Jermaine McGillvary and Leroy Cudjoe and trotting out at what is essentially a building site, with little noise on his wing.
The 20-year-old played a huge part in Trinity’s derby success at Castleford, which took them two points clear of Toulouse and two behind Warrington going into this weekend’s fixtures.
He admitted his displays are down to being told by boss Willie Poching, his staff and even players to show what he can really do.
That message goes for the rest of the side as they look to finish off the job.
Murphy said: “I’ve been told to back myself more and believe in my skill when I’ve got the ball in my hand.
“People have said there’s a reason why I’m in Wakefield’s first team, so I’ve been trying to express myself and produce my talents a lot more.
“I didn’t express myself too much in my first couple of games and even against Castleford, I was just saying in my head, ‘Next job, next job, make sure you do that right.’
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“We’re not home and dry yet, every game’s like a Grand Final but everyone’s confident and believing they can win every game, how it should be.
“And it’s all about believing we can beat any team on our day.”
Murphy insists knowing Toulouse lost on Thursday does not change anything ahead of today’s meeting with Catalans as Wakefield know the importance of every game.
Having the same mental approach when he was an A-level student at Wakefield College after his favourite Giants never spotted him may propel him towards Super League survival.
If they manage that, he can face players he cheered on from the stands once again, without going too ‘fan boy.’
Staying up would also mean more weird atmospheres as Wakefield develop their Belle Vue ground around them – at the moment, the stand along one flank is closed.
“I was spotted playing for college,” Murphy added. “I saw they were doing a pathway day online, thought I’d give it a shot and it turned out OK.
“I’d watch Huddersfield and looked up to Leroy and Jermaine. I played against Leroy, it was surreal but I didn’t ask for his shirt. I didn’t want to act like a massive super fan.
“But it’s strange playing at home now as that stand is shut and my family normally sat there. The first thing I see when I run out is the empty stand and I’m on the wing too, it’s quite eerie at times.”