LOWRY TALKS TURKEY IN BID FOR TOP
Wayne reveals he wants to stay on with England until 2021 World Cup and defends controversial Lions squad selections
WAYNE BENNETT wants to stay on as England coach until the 2021 World Cup. look at these boys and the few who didn’t make the squad because of injury, we have a pretty good group. We are building for the next couple of years because it is going to be so with guys who can play the positions and have the confidence to do that.”
Bennett knows his decision to name six halfbacks for the current tour has left fans baffled and great teams have a permanent half-back, stand-off combination and that is where you want to be.
“I thought it was a risk worth taking here to find out what they all bring and I have not been disappointed in what we have done.”
Jackson Hastings and Gareth Widdop are his first choices and have been picked again for the third week running.
Jonny Lomax is at full-back for Saturday’s second Test against the Kiwis, which leaves Blake Austin, George Williams and Jake Trueman still without a game. But all three will play in the final Test against Papua New Guinea.
Injuries to Ryan Hall and Oliver Gildart have left the Lions light in the three-quarters, but Bennett is not flying out a replacement.
He said: “I am happy to give these boys opportunities and see what we have got going forward.”
Wigan full-back Zak Hardaker (left) has played in the centres in the opening two games, but will now switch to the wing. Lomax, Hardaker, Connor, Hughes, McGillvary, Widdop, Hastings, Hill, Hodgson, Burgess, Bateman, Whitehead, Graham.
Clark, Walmsley, Philbin, Jones OPEN champion Shane Lowry wants to finish the year as Europe’s No.1.
The Irishman’s sensational triumph at Royal Portrush in July, coupled with a win at the Abu Dhabi Championship earlier this year, means he could claim the European Tour’s Race to Dubai title for the first time.
The 32-year-old trails current leader Bernd Wiesberger by less than 700 points with three events remaining – starting with tomorrow’s Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya. Lowry said: “It would be lovely if I got to the final 18 holes in Dubai with a chance to win.
“To be European No.1 would be really special and would add to the year I’ve had. It would be the icing on the cake.”
Lowry, Wiesberger and Justin Rose – who is seeking a third straight victory in Turkey – are among the players chasing the 1,500 points on offer to the winner.