Bromwich: Grand final loss still hurts

Jesse Bromwich admits losing the NRL grand final to Cronulla last month still hurts but says he’s hoping to ease the pain with New Zealand in the Four Nations.

Bromwich’s Melbourne Storm went down 14-12 to the Sharks in the NRL decider. With the club season now finished, the forward’s attention has turned to international duties.

The Kiwis are aiming to keep the Four Nations trophy they won two years ago, with Bromwich leading the men in black.

The prop told Love Rugby League being beaten in the grand final still burns.

“I don’t know if I’ll get over the disappointment,” he said.

“As heartbroken as I was, I thought we could have stolen it at the end. We played very tough, I’m proud of the way the boys played.

“I’m still disappointed, just to see how close we got and what could have been. But I’m very lucky to come into the Kiwis camp and captain my country and play for my country.

“It does ease the pain a bit. I’ve got friends who are still in Melbourne hurting, the same as thy were after the game.

“So I’m lucky I’m here for this.”

Bromwich has been given the Kiwi captaincy with Simon Mannering injured.

The Storm front-rower said the armband won’t change the way he plays.

“It’s a huge honour,” he said.

“My family was all excited and for me I’m just trying to do the best I can with my actions.

“Just to train hard, put my head down, bum up and work hard and show the others the way.”

The Kiwis were in the UK last year, losing 2-1 in the series with England.

Bromwich believes the knowledge of playing in English conditions and in front of English crowds will help New Zealand in this year’s tournament.

“I think it was a good experience last year coming over with a younger team,” he said.

“The boys would have learned a lot, playing against the Pommies and they way they love to play.

“The conditions over here are a lot different to the NRL. It’s a lot more dewy and slipperrery over here so you have to take all that into account.

“But at the end of the day it’s rugby league, we’ve all grown up playing it so we should all have a fair indication of how to play.”