DOMINIC Young can take rugby league to a new level and become an âinstant celebrityâ if he wins the World Cup for England.
And one of the greatest, Martin Offiah, would love to see him do it against Australiaâs fearsome flyer, Josh Addo-Carr.
Former England boss Steve McNamara said he had not seen the likes of the wingerâs sensational 95-metre effort in the win over France since the days of Chariots.
Now the standard bearer believes the 6ft 6ins 21-year-old âfreak of a manâ – who plays at NRL side Newcastle Knights after leaving Huddersfield – can become a superstar away from the pitch if he propels England all the way.
He said: âDom really does have an opportunity to not only become a national superstar but take the sport of rugby league to heights it would never have been at before.
âEngland have absolutely found a star, you wouldnât expect to see someone that big be so quick and athletic.
âImagine if Dom goes the full length in the World Cup final past Addo-Carr, scores the try that wins England the trophy. Heâs going to be an instant celebrity.
âThat would surpass anything any rugby player has ever achieved â be it myself, Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell or Ellery Hanley.
âYou talk about players who go into the Hall of Fame, this opportunity is that big.
âNow if heâs not on a long-term deal at Newcastle, heâll be offered one as soon as he gets off the plane. Every club in league and rugby union will be looking at him now.
âThis World Cup has propelled Dom on to the world stage.
âYouâve seen Dallin Watene-Zalezniak score four for the Kiwis and Addo-Carr for the Aussies but Iâm really looking forward to seeing how it pans out.
âAnd itâs going to be tough. Itâs not just one-way traffic, defensively he has to be sound as Australia would throw a lot at us.â
Young may sit out Saturdayâs clash with Greece as Ryan Hall scored a double in Saturday’s 42-18 success and Tommy Makinson bagged 24 points in the 60-6 thrashing of Samoa.
Boss Shaun Wane wants to give all 24 of his squad a match before the quarter finals, meaning Kai Pearce-Paul and Joe Batchelor will come in.
Kallum Watkins is out after being knocked out in the 42-18 win over the French as England look to end a 50-year World Cup drought on home soil.
But Offiah is in no doubt ahead of the Sheffield showdown, Young and Makinson are his first choice.
He added: âDom and Tommy have moved Englandâs greatest ever try scorer in Ryan to third place.
âIt depends what Shaun wants to do, although his selections will be a lot clearer now,
âRyan deserves a runout against Greece but the energy of Tommy and Dom is what weâre going to require if weâre going to beat the Aussies, New Zealanders and Tongans in the semis and final.
âEven though the performance wasnât as good as it was against Samoa, it was still a pretty decent one by England.
âBut they really need to put Greece to the sword. After what we put on Samoa, anything less than a ton wouldnât be that great.â
