Hull FC Under 18s forward Cobie Wainhouse has explained the emotions of receiving his first international call-up this week.
Alongside club team mate Jack Charles, Wainhouse has been named in the England Academy squad ahead of their international fixture with the French Academy in Saint-Gaudens next month.
The prop has caught the eye for the Black & Whites in 2023, whilst also impressing on duty for Yorkshire in game one of the War of the Roses series.
Speaking to hullfc.com, the 17-year-old explained the moment he received the call.
“It’s a dream come true and it’s everything I dreamed of throughout my childhood – growing up and representing my country,” he said.
“It was all a bit unexpected really. I’m one of the younger lads at Academy level and I missed out on game two of the Origin series through injury, so I feel really proud that all of my efforts have been recognised.
“I was actually sat with Ryan Westerman, one of my Hull Academy team mates, when I got the call from Paul Anderson, and after I came off the phone, I screamed, grabbed him and started shaking him out of pure excitement.
“Then, I rang my mum and dad straight after that and they were both over the moon for me, so it was an amazing feeling.”
This is Wainhouse’s first season as a Hull FC player, having joined from Bradford Bulls’ Scholarship outfit in the off-season.
He has featured in the majority of Hull’s Academy fixtures so far this season, as they strive to reach the play-offs for a second successive season.
But the youngster has also taken on the challenge of applying himself in the Reserves Championship in his maiden year with the Black & Whites, and he certainly has not shied away from the step up.
“Michael [Shenton] and Pete [Riding] have both been fantastic for my development since I joined Hull FC before the start of this season, as well as all of the other lads in the team and the rest of the coaching staff,” he said.
“It’s also good to be a part of the Reserves squad this year and test myself a lot of older and more experienced players.
“Being around some of the older heads in Reserves teams this year has helped teach me how to do the little things in the right way – probably the sort of thing that mostly goes unnoticed, but can have a big effect.”
Despite hailing from Bradford, Wainhouse now lives in Hull, fully embracing the culture in the city.
“It’s great to live over here. It obviously makes my life a lot easier, so I don’t have to worry about the M62 numerous times a week,”
“It’s a good city with good people, and all of the lads have welcomed me with open arms since I’ve joined Hull, so I’m really grateful for that.
“It just allows me to get my head down and focus on my rugby, which is really beneficial for me at this stage in my career.”
Wainhouse is also a part of Hull FC’s Sports College at the Centre of Excellence, gaining an education alongside his rugby league journey.
Find out what Wainhouse’s Hull FC Academy team mate Lennon Clark had to say about the education programme, and how it works hand-in-hand with a rugby league schedule…
STORY SPONSOR
