Luke Dorn admits he was ‘shocked’ when he was headbutted by Kevin Sinfield in the last meeting between Leeds and Castleford – but insisted he didn’t provoke the England captain by sledging him in the buildup to the incident.
Sinfield received the first red card of his career last month after a hot-tempered incident with the Castleford full-back during the draw between the two sides. And, ahead of tomorrow’s Challenge Cup Final between the two teams, Dorn insists there was no sledging on his behalf, and he was completely stunned by the reactions of Sinfield.
“I was pretty shocked,” Dorn said. “I guess only Kevin would know what was happening and why he did it. He made his choice.”
“Mate, I’m usually pretty good at it but for that I don’t think I’ve done anything, not that I can remember anyway, nothing that warranted that,” Dorn said.
Want more Luke Dorn? Of course you do! Read his exclusive TotalRL.com blog ahead of this weekend’s game – where he discusses the final in-depth.
The final marks the first occasion in Dorn’s Super League career that he will play in a major final. The closest he has come was with London in last year’s Challenge Cup – before they were thumped 70-0 by Wigan in the last four. And the full-back will be watched on by his family at Wembley, after he revealed they are flying in from Australia for what he dubbed the biggest game of his career.
“I’ve got some family that have booked some last-minute trips from Australia,” Dorn said. “There’s my little brother and mum and dad, and I’ve also got a cousin coming and some friends. There’s enough there to make me proud.
For the best previews, in-match action and post-match fallout from the Challenge Cup Final, stay tuned to TotalRL.com – and pick up a copy of Monday’s League Express
“My mum has been over once, the last time I was playing for Castleford, and she might have seen me play one game. My dad has been over a few times but I’ve got twin brothers who were six when I left to come over here and they’ve never seen me play live.
“I’m very, very excited to have one of them over. Ethan is coming and he’s going to be the most excited person in the whole stadium. To have them come over to watch me means a lot to me. The win would make it all that sweeter.”
