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LEEDS – I was there. In the bowels of Belmore at the end of May, the Bulldogs had just lost to the Dragons and the press pack waited for Josh Addo-Carr to exit the sheds, primed with questions about his controversial omission from the New South Wales squad.
The Foxx, usually the most enthusiastic man in the room, wasn’t up for a chat. It was clear to anyone who had dealt with him – and probably those that hadn’t, because he is exactly like you think he is – that one of the most effervescent characters in rugby league was devastated.
Five months and 15,000km later, I brought up that moment with him in the mixed zone at Headingley after the Kangaroos’ 42-8 victory over Fiji in their World Cup opener, in which Addo-Carr scored twice and won the hearts of the local crowd.
“I’m really proud of that,” he said. “I had an alright season at the Bulldogs, but to shut some people’s mouths is pretty pleasing at the same time. I couldn’t have done that without my teammates back at the Bulldogs. We had an alright year and improved. I’m blessed to be here and proud to be a Bulldog.”
The Blues might not have called, but for Foxx, the green and gold was always more important.
“I’ve always wanted to play for the Kangaroos,” said the winger. “It’s all happened so fast. Never in a million years did I think it’s play first grade let alone rep football. I love putting this jersey on and representing the country that we all love. It’s a blessing.
“I get to play with some of the best players in the world and it makes my job easy. That’s what the best players do. It’s deadly. I’ve played with a lot of these players and It’s been a really good week. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this Kangaroos team, I was a part of it back in 2019 and I always say that this is the funnest camp to be a part of.”
His performance was enough to turn the local crowd, who heartily backed the Fijians, into admirers. Stood out on the winger, Addo-Carr had a front row seat for the Yorkshire dialect. His spectacular solo try, weaving through Fijians as he went the length of the field, did much to impress the locals.
“We’re getting an earful!” he joked. “People are saying “I love you”, “I hate you”, “You’re shit” – it was a mad atmosphere. I can’t believe I’m over here playing a bit of footy, never in a million years did I think I’d come over here and play footy.
“It was a great crowd and a great atmosphere. I don’t know what they’re trying to do, because when I was coming back after I scored that try, they were cheering me on, but two minutes before they were booing me!
“That’s footy, I’m glad I can put a couple of smiles on people’s faces and I really hope they enjoyed the game. It’s only good for rugby league.”
It was his first run in a few weeks, with only the Koori Knockout and the PM XIII’s fixture with Papua New Guinea to stretch the legs.
Wearing his Indigenous flag pin button on his Kangaroos tracksuit, Addo-Carr reflected on the journey from Nowra, where this year’s Knockout was held, to the World Cup, and where his story stood in comparison with that of his teammates.
“I was only a little fulla,” he said. “That’s the thing with Indigenous kids, we develop late. I was a late developer. I was blessed that I trained really well and was fit as a fiddle, which stood out. I was a late bloomer in terms of size, when I played down in Melbourne I was 79kgs when I won a Premiership. I was the littlest player on the field.
“You have to be patient with Indigenous kids and show them the right way. You might get the next Greg Inglis or Latrell Mitchell – or me! If you’re patient and guide them the right way you might get a superstar.”