Bennett picks are no ‘joke’
Bennett as he prepares to return to the fold after missing last season’s disastrous Four Nations with injury. The Wigan forward said: “It’s down to the coaching staff as a group who they want to pick. “Obviously different people are going to have different opinions but there are rules for who you can and can’t pick and they’re not doing anything wrong. “I don’t see how you can complain because it is just the way the international game is going.” Castleford forward Mike McMeeken will join McQueen in making his debut while Bennett caused further surprise by naming Stefan Ratchford at full-back and Zak Hardaker at centre.
Tomorrow’s game will complete a week-long camp in Sydney that Bennett believes will provide key preparation for the end-of-season World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Bennett, who combines the England job with his role as head coach of Brisbane Broncos, said: “It has been a really invaluable experience for all and essential to have all players here to prepare for what is to come. It’s vital the group spend time together and that I spend time with all the players during World Cup year. Some tough decisions were made picking this team but this eight-day camp has been fantastic. The commitment shown has been second to none.
“Being over here bridges the gap between not playing for long periods as a national team and gives us an opportunity to sort out little issues, which will enable us to hit the ground running in October.”
O’Loughlin, meanwhile, is determined to prove a worthy leader. He has regained the armband after Sam Burgess deputised for him during last year’s Four Nations, when England lost to New Zealand and Australia.
O’Loughlin said: “First and foremost I wanted to be back involved with the team. To get the captaincy is a massive honour, but there’s so many other players who can do that job as well so I wouldn’t have been going in sulking if I wasn’t captain. A strong side has a group of leaders and we have that.
“It’s definitely going to be my last World Cup, so I desperately want to be part of it and in that side going over later this year.
“We’ll get more out of playing Samoa than possibly playing someone at home and winning by 40 or 50 points. “Going on tour you always get to know everyone a bit better, so it’s great preparation and a good dry run for the World Cup.”
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