It’s just 100 days to go until England v Australia’s First Test at Wembley in the 2025 ABK Beer Ashes Series – and Great Britain legend Martin Offiah MBE has called on rugby league fans to purchase their tickets!
“I think it's so important that England put on a show, but I think it's also important that the rugby league fans fill Wembley Stadium and give us a platform,” Offiah said, who featured in four Ashes Series throughout his career.
“The fans that haven't got a ticket yet – I would say to them – not only is the life of a sportsman short, but our lives are also short as human beings on this planet, and this is going to be a moment in time that we can hopefully look back on and say we were there and played our part in this.”
Prolific winger Offiah has 33 caps and 26 tries for Great Britain to his name, as well as five tries in eight appearances for England.
He played against Australia in the years 1988 to 1994, notably winning Ashes test matches against the Kangaroos in 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994 – including two opening test games at the iconic Wembley.
Offiah is no stranger to the hallowed turf, having featured there a total of eight times at both club and international level, and domestically, has achieved everything there was to possibly achieve while at Widnes and Wigan.
Exhibiting a truly illustrious career spanning across two decades, his achievements earned him a place on the Rugby League Statue alongside four other greats of the sport, which was installed outside Wembley in 2015.
But as decorated as a player Offiah might be, it still haunts him to this day that he has never been able to win an Ashes Series.
And according to Offiah, playing his part in the famous Ashes is the absolute pinnacle of being a rugby league player:
“The Ashes to me means legacy. It means the ultimate test. It means that it’s a time to put your body on the line for your country. It means going into battle. It's the ultimate.”
“This series coming up is a massive opportunity for the current crop of international players. That's the Kangaroos and the English boys.
“I think two generations probably missed out on playing in the Kangaroos tours, but it’s that time again.
“I'm fortunate to have been in some epic battles with the Australians, both in England and in Australia. I have some great memories, some harsh memories, a lot of highs, and a lot of lows and a lot of ‘we nearly’ moments included in that.
“That historic day back in 1990 at Old Trafford, when we came, what, 40 seconds away from winning the Ashes?
“We came very close in 1990 – we were one dummy away from winning it as we would have gone 2-0 up. That was the one that got away. We came close on so many occasions.”
But that devastating night in 1990 is still one that follows Offiah around from time to time:
“A lot of people talk about that moment in 1990 at Old Trafford – I was watching it from the treatment room as I had to come off injured.
“I watched Ricky Stewart sell a dummy and score the try that helped Australia keep the Ashes Series alive for them.
“I watched my dream of winning the Ashes at that moment slip away, and I think that was a moment that we probably didn't recover from.
“I always think to myself, if I didn't get injured and I was on the pitch, I wouldn't have allowed Ricky Stewart to run the length of pitch. But it is what it is and you have to live with it. And I'll take that moment with me to the grave."
After a 22-year absence of the Rugby League Ashes, the rivalry is set to be reignited this autumn between England and Australia – in what will be their first meeting since 2017.
And if there’s anyone who knows about the pride, the passion and what the rivalry between these two nations really means, then it’s Offiah and the teammates of his generation…
“Playing Australia is the toughest challenge in the world. For a rugby league player, it is the Holy Grail,” Offiah exclaimed, who lined up with the likes of the great Ellery Hanley, Gary Schofield and Jonathan Davies – legends who Offiah has named as his top three international teammates.
“Playing in this country, I’ve won Challenge Cup Finals and league titles and then World Club Challenges all over the world – but to win in the Ashes Series, I believe that that is the ultimate. We put Australia on a pedestal back in the day.
“To win an Ashes test is absolutely incredible and I’ve been fortunate enough to win a few of those and to have played with some great players and made some great memories.
“I’ve never been beaten 3-0 in an Ashes Series.”
While representing his country, there have been a plethora of long-lasting memories Offiah can recall, but what are his best moments in an Ashes Series?
“I famously made it around Australia’s Andrew Ettingshausen in the second test in 1992, down in Melbourne. I clinched that game - scoring the final try. That was probably my standout individual moment playing against Australia in an Ashes Series, getting past ‘ET’," explained Offiah.
“My best moment against Australia from a team standpoint would have to be our 26-12 win in Sydney in 1988, because of have much it meant to us. It was my first time beating Australia and it taught me that anything was possible."
Looking ahead to the highly anticipated 2025 Ashes Series which will feature the England stars of present day, Offiah said:
“I want to see that competition, I want us to be competitive. That’s what we’re building towards.
“The thing I love about rugby league is that if you go out there with fortitude, if you go out there with intensity and just to die for it, then you know you can and will compete.
“And I think that's what we did in our era. We knew that it was 'put your body on the line' time.
“You have to have that mentality that you’re going to die today. I don't need to teach this generation how to play - they are all top sportsman and the only thing I would say to them is that there are only certain times where I can remember when you walk out on a rugby league pitch and say, ‘I’m prepared to die today’.
"The Ashes is one of them.
“We need to make sure we’re ready. To beat the Australians takes total commitment it. It takes being all in and leaving nothing unturned. Be that in in your physicality, be that in your skill level. Be that in your mental approach.”
Will you be there to witness history as England search for their first Ashes Series victory since 1970?
The famous Ashes Series returns this autumn where rivalries will be reignited – make sure you’re at Wembley on Saturday 25 October to experience England and Australia's eagerly anticipated First Test. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!
This is the only remaining chance for sports fans to see the return of the Rugby League Ashes after a 22-year absence, with the Second Test at the new Everton Stadium on Saturday November 1 and the Third Test at AMT Headingley on Saturday November 8 completely SOLD OUT.
