Manly's premiership-winning scrum-half Daly Cherry-Evans is set to make his debut for Australia after rejecting late overtures to represent England.
The NRL rookie of the year, who was today named in the Kangaroos' 24-strong squad for the Four Nation Series in the United Kingdom, has English heritage through his mother and was among a number of players sounded out by England coach Steve McNamara.
McNamara managed to persuade Brisbane Broncos' English-born centre Jack Reed and Wests Tigers back row forward Chris Heighington, who father comes from Durham, to throw in their lot with England and today revealed Castleford's former Junior Kiwi Rangi Chase wants to play for England but he drew a blank with the 21-year-old Cherry-Evans.
The player's manager, Gavin Orr, revealed McNamara's interest and a Rugby Football League spokesman confirmed: "He was among a number of players eligible to play for England who were sounded out by Steve McNamara."
Cherry-Evans, who was outstanding in the Sea Eagles' 24-10 win over New Zealand Warriors in yesterday's NRL Grand Final, is one of six uncapped players in coach Tim Sheens' squad.
"His form is undeniable," said Sheens. "I think Manly have plenty of claim and I don't think anyone would disagree that the kid certainly earned an opportunity."
The other rookies are Cherry-Evans' team-mate Tony Williams, South Sydney forward Dave Taylor, Wests Tigers' Keith Galloway, Newcastle Knights winger Akuila Uate and Brisbane forward Corey Parker.
Taylor, Uate, Galloway and Parker have played representative football for New South Wales while Williams has played for Tonga and Uate was in Fiji's team for the 2008 World Cup.
Taylor, who recently underwent shoulder surgery, and his Rabbitohs team-mate Greg Inglis will both have to prove their fitness to confirm their places while Newcastle utility player Kurt Gidley and Brisbane centre Justin Hodges were both unavailable for selection.
Manly have the biggest representation with five players but captain Jamie Lyon, the former St Helens centre and 2005 Super League Man of Steel, is not among them after asking not to be considered.
"At this point we don't want to force anyone to do anything so from our point of view it was better going with people who wanted to go," Sheens added.
Sheens admitted also that he has some concerns about the centres.
"Unfortunately Justin Hodges wasn't available so we're going to have to possibly manufacture something in the centres," he said.
The tour will bring down the curtain on the career of Australia's record-breaking captain Darren Lockyer, who has already played his last match for the Broncos.
Lockyer is retiring at the end of the year and is expected to make his last appearance on home soil in the Kangaroos' Test match against New Zealand in Newcastle on Sunday, October 16, five days before they set off for England.
The Australians kick off the Four Nations Series against the Kiwis at Warrington on Friday, October 28, with England meeting Wales at Leigh the following day.
Australia squad: Darren Lockyer (capt), Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Jharal Yow Yeh (all Brisbane), David Shillington (Canberra), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Daly Cherry-Evans, Glenn Stewart, Brett Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams (all Manly), Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith (all Melbourne), Akuila Uate (Newcastle), Matthew Scott, Johnathan Thurston (both North Queensland), Luke Lewis (Penrith), Darius Boyd (St George Illawarra), Greg Inglis, David Taylor (both South Sydney), Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Chris Lawrence (all Wests Tigers).
Source:Sporting Life
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