Friday, 21 October 2011

International Rugby League

Chase-ing the dream - is it a step too far?



If you’re patriotic about rugby league, the sight of Rangi Chase in an England shirt tonight is a bitter pill to swallow.

Quite simply, if coach Steve McNamara had enough belief in the English talent at his disposal, Chase wouldn’t get a look in.

McNamara’s selection is a kick in the teeth for English rugby league – make no mistake about it. What he’s saying is clear: We’re not good enough to beat the Kiwis and Australia in the Four Nations.

To give ourselves a chance we need to capitalise on some pathetically weak international regulations that allow us to pick an outrageously talented stand-off born in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand in 1986.

And talented Chase is. Man of Steel in Super League this season and an attacking threat every time he has the ball in hand. He could really make a difference to England’s chances.

But, if like me, you regard the ideology of international sport as the opportunity for men to represent their country and test themselves against the rest of the world – well, this really isn’t it.

Sure, we’ve done it before with Maurie Fa’asavalu and England’s cricket and rugby union teams are also an insult to the old phrase 'representing your country'. It’s the same with other nations too, but it doesn’t make it right.

It’s a means to an end for Chase. He’s desperate to play on the biggest stage of all. Despite all his patriotic English bravado and McNamara churning out ridiculous comments like “he’s committed to the cause” – one thing is for certain – if Kiwi captain Benji Marshall wasn’t around, Chase would be wearing a black shirt this Four Nations.


Gareth Widdop and Danny McGuire both lay in waiting. Widdop has enjoyed a sensational season in the NRL with the Storm at stand-off and deserves the chance to impress for his country of birth.

McGuire ended the campaign in great form for Leeds. If McNamara thinks Chase isn’t stopping English talent from representing their country then he needs his head testing.

If England – 7-1 with Hills to win the Four Nations – are lifting the trophy come November 19, I’ll be bursting with pride. But it won’t be the same feeling as if they’d done it with just English talent. That would be something special. Instead, they’ll always be a bitter taste.