Hardaker’s shock Lions call-up
ZAK HARDAKER has been brought in from the cold with a late Great Britain call-up.
The controversial Wigan full-back has not played internationally for four years and wasn’t included in the Lions’ training set-up.
But his good form, after returning from a 14-month for testing positive for cocaine, has convinced Wayne Bennett to name him in his 24-man squad. Hardaker represented England five times, in 2012 and 2015, but was thrown out of the 2013 World Cup camp after being involved in a drunken brawl.
Bennett has also named Salford halfback Jackson Hastings, in the wake of the Reds’ 23-6 Grand Final defeat by St Helens.
Man of Steel winner Hastings was born in Australia and played for the Junior Kangaroos but is eligible for Great Britain through his late Plymouth-born grandmother.
Hastings also missed out on all the Lions’ pre-tour get-togethers because he didn’t provide adequate proof of his eligibility until a few weeks ago.
He said: “It was a hard process and there were a lot of things to sign off on. My Nan Margaret was a proud English lady and very proud of her heritage and her family has done its best to carry that on.”
Hastings and Salford team-mate Josh Jones are among six players who appeared in (St George Illawarra), (Warrington),
(Canberra), (South Sydney), (Hull),
(Wigan), (Salford), Saturday’s Old Trafford final to get call-ups. St Helens stars Lachlan Coote, Jonny Lomax, Luke Thompson and Alex Walmsley will also fly Down Under tomorrow.
But Saints teammates Morgan Knowles, James Roby, Tommy Makinson and Mark Percival have missed out because of injury.
The other players named in the second wave of Lions’ announcements include Blake Austin, Chris Hill and Joe Philbin from Warrington.
Wigan centre Oliver Gildart also makes the cut as well as NRLbased John Bateman and Josh Hodgson.
An earlier group of players, whose clubs were not involved in the latter stages of the domestic season, have already flown out.
James Graham has been named captain for the first time.
The St George Illawarra and former Saints prop said: “It’s very emotional for me. It will have a history and tradition.” (St Helens),
(Sydney Roosters), (Huddersfield), (Castleford)