Samoa game an ideal World Cup warm-up
ENGLAND head coach Wayne Bennett has left many observers baffled by some of his selections for tomorrow’s Pacific Test against Samoa in Sydney.
Although there is a welcome call-up for uncapped Mike McMeeken, Super League’s form second-row, his Castleford Tigers colleague Zak Hardaker has been named at centre despite thrilling the competition from his customary full-back position this term.
Yet St Helens centre Mark Percival does not even make the 17-man squad and nor does his club-mate Alex Walmsley, the Dewsbury-born prop hoping for a debut given his brilliant league displays.
Warrington Wolves’ Stefan Ratchford, only called into the 20-man party that flew out last Saturday after a late injury to St George Illawarra’s Gareth Widdop, actually starts at full-back.
Furthermore, Bennett has opted to give a debut to Australianborn Chris McQueen, the Gold Coast Titans second-row, who starts on the bench.
Like McQueen, Chris Heighington, the 34-year-old Cronulla Sharks back-row who last played for England in 2011 and is also a replacement, qualifies via an English-born parent.
Their inclusion has irritated many who feel, despite John Bateman and Ben Currie being injured, there are still better forwards both actually in the camp – Hull FC prop Scott Taylor does not feature – and back at home.
However, Bennett claims the duo are in the leading 20 players in the NRL.
“We’ve got some injuries back in England to two or three players and this is an opportunity for these two guys,” he said.
“They’re certainly in the category of being in the top 20 players here and both are in really good form in the NRL, so let’s see what they bring.
“They’ll have no problem gelling with the team; there’s a team of good blokes here.”
Former Huddersfield Giants captain Kevin Brown, the Warrington stand-off who was also a late call-up to the squad following an injury to Wigan’s George Williams last Saturday, will partner Castleford’s Luke Gale in the halves. ENGLAND will be able to “hit the ground running” at the World Cup later this year, according to head coach Wayne Bennett.
He will see his side take on Samoa in Sydney tomorrow in their only game before the tournament starts in October.
England have been in camp since Sunday and Bennett – whose club role is with Brisbane Broncos – said the time spent there has been crucial as they look to make the World Cup a far greater success than last year’s bitterly disappointing Four Nations failure.
“It’s been a really invaluable experience for all and essential to have all players here to prepare for what’s to come at the end of the year,” he said. “It’s vital that the group spend time together and that I spend time with all the players during World Cup year.
“Samoa are a very good team – there’s a lot of top NRL players in their squad. It’s not going to be easy for us; we weren’t looking for an easy game but we need to prove ourselves on Saturday.
“I’m really looking forward to it and I’m sure they are too because I know they’ve got a hard game in front of them.”
England, who have not played since last November’s 36-18 Four Nations defeat against Australia in London, cancelled a preseason training camp in Dubai planned for January.
However, Bennett said the last few days had allowed them to complete much-needed work.
“Being over here bridges the gap between not playing for long periods as a national team and gives us opportunity to sort out little issues which will enable us to hit the ground running in October,” he said.
“Some tough decisions were made when picking this team but this eight-day camp has been fantastic. The commitment shown has been second to none.”