Giants star in England call-up
STEPHEN Hendry has dismissed his chances of returning to the Crucible this year despite sinking old foe Jimmy White to reach the second round of the World Championship qualifying tournament on Monday.
The 52-year-old will resume his unlikely quest against China’s Xu Si tonight, with three further hurdles to overcome if he is to book his place back at the scene of his record seven titles.
But after his arduous 6-3 win over White, Hendry admitted: “On this evidence, my game isn’t ready. I think next year I would be more realistic about my chances.
“In the next round I could play a lot better but I don’t think my game is ready to win four tough matches to get to the Crucible yet.
“Hopefully if I can keep getting better and keep improving, my technique becomes reliable and I can get to a better pace, then next year will be the goal to get back to the Crucible.”
It was a candid admission of his shortcomings by the Scot, in what was only his second professional match since he returned after a nine-year absence with defeat in the first round of the Gibraltar Open last month.
Hendry’s high point was a 66 clearance in the sixth frame which was reminiscent of the dominant days when he used to torment White, who now faces a decision about continuing on the tour following his latest sorry display. before England kick off the tournament against Samoa at St James’s Park, Newcastle, on Saturday, October 23.
Wane made his selections after the first round of Betfred Super League matches so the outstanding secondround performances of Warrington half-back Gareth Widdop and Hull full-back Jake Connor came too late for consideration at this stage.
However, the former Wigan boss says he expects the squad to undergo change as players force their way into contention, with further get-togethers planned for May and early June.
Six of the 28 Super League-based players are currently injured, including 21-year-old Leeds centre Harry Newman, the youngest squad member who is recovering from a broken leg but is in Wane’s World Cup plans.
“I rate Harry Newman very highly,” Wane said. “He’s a good chance of playing in the World Cup. We’ve got real strength in depth at centre - and at hooker and wing too.
“Names will come and go as the season unfolds but the 35 players I’ve named reflect my current thinking.
“They are all capable of playing to an England standard. They know what’s expected at international level and the heights they must hit.
“We have a good mix of youth and experience and age is no barrier. The thirty-somethings in the squad are playing some good rugby. And, if a 17-year-old puts his hand up and shows me he’s got what it takes, he’ll be in. I watch every Super League game multiple times and I’m seeing some good things so far from England players.
“I keep a very close eye on the NRL too. Those players can’t join us at Leeds Beckett, but I’ll make sure they get the same information as the players who can.
“The session at Leeds is all about introducing players to my systems how we’ll defend, how we’ll attack and so on.
“They are some of the best players around and they’ll get it very quickly. It’s an important part of our preparation for the mid-season international against the All Stars and for the World Cup too.”
J Bateman (Wigan), T Burgess (South Sydney), D Clark, M Cooper, B Currie (all Warrington), N Evalds (Castleford), H Farnworth (Brisbane), L Farrell (Wigan), L Gale (Leeds), O Gildart (Wigan), J Griffin (Hull), A Handley (Leeds), Z Hardaker (Wigan), J Hodgson (Canberra), T Johnstone (Wakefield), T King (Warrington), M Knowles, J Lomax (both St Helens),
P McShane (Castleford), T Makinson (St Helens), D Manfredi (Wigan), H Newman (Leeds), M Percival (St Helens), J Philbin, S Ratchford (both Warrington), J Roby (St Helens), D Sarginson (Salford), R Sutton (Canberra), L Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs), S Tomkins (Catalans), A Walmsley (St Helens), K Watkins (Salford), E Whitehead, G Williams (both Canberra).
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