JACK Reed has a broad Aussie accent but the Broncos centre is certain to play for England in the end-of-year Four Nations tournament.
Reed, one of the finds of the NRL season, is at short odds to be named in Queensland's Emerging State of Origin squad next year, if he declares himself available for Australia.
But the greater certainty of a spot in England's squad is believed to have swayed Reed to play for the land of his birth and to perhaps line up against Broncos and Australian captain Darren Lockyer at London's Wembley Stadium. Reed, born in Yorkshire, moved here when he was two.
If the Broncos lose their sudden-death final against St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, Reed could be named in the Australian and England train-on squads, forcing him to make a choice between the countries.
Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said yesterday he believed Reed would play for England, although he had yet to be officially informed of his plans.
"I have had a substantial number of emails from Jack Reed's manager and it appears the English coach (Steve McNamara) is very keen on him," Carr said.
"We should know by the weekend what Reed intends doing."
Parramatta utility Tulsen Tollett was the last Australian-raised Englishman to play for his country of birth.
Reed is in camp with the Broncos on the Gold Coast and coach Anthony Griffin has placed his players off limits before Saturday's big game.
If Reed plays for England, he will join the likes of Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Alex Glenn (New Zealand) and Josh McGuire (Samoa) in being ineligible for Queensland, therefore lessening the load on the club at Origin time.
In July, Reed told The Courier-Mail he had an English passport, but would love to play for Queensland, and therefore, Australia.
But at that stage he had not been approached by the England team management and now it is believed their interest has him excited about the prospect of international football.
England used four centres in last year's Four Nations - Michael Shenton, Ryan Atkins, Leroy Cudjoe and Tony Clubb - and Reed looks a class above all of them.
Melbourne Storm five-eighth Gareth Widdop will be one of the first players chosen for England.
Widdop represented Yorkshire under-16s before his family emigrated to Australia in 2006.
Source: Courier Mail
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