Spot on. Was still deciding on whether or not to go to the Wembley double-header, but this news has definitely made my mind up for me...I'll be at Hibs vs Dunfermline that day! What an absolute shambles that completely cheapens the whole concept of international RL. Couldn't care less if cricket does it etc etc etc, it still means a GENUINE English player will be missing out to someone who is only turning out for England because his own country didn't pick him.

Rotation, options. Isn't that a nice thought

I know people won't like the idea of Chase playing for England but it makes in more competive for places. For me I would still have Gareth Widdop at 6 though. Lets hope a few players pull their fingers out and fight for a place rather than just expect to start. Its nice to have a few options for a change

Clearly you never had any intention of going then, a player being called into a training squad is no guarantee he will make the main squad never mind the team
it's not just you but thousands of RL fans will fail to attend the games, any excuse for some people or even no excuse at all

Does he qualify? Yes
Is he good enough? Certainly

So why complain about a player who makes the team MUCH stronger getting picked? The one you should be complaining about is the Aussies picking Fiji international Uate in their squad.

I've not missed an England/GB home game in nearly 10 years so I think it's fair to say that I [idid[/i intend to go to all of the games. As far as I'm concerned McNamara should have told Chase to sling his hook as he should have declared his intention to play for England much, much earlier in the season as other players have in the past. Where's the pride in beating the Aussies if it's done with New Zealand's cast offs?

1. There isn't a single NZ cast off in the team
2. Where's the pride in Australia when they win with a team of non-Aussies?

So Chase would have turned down a call from NZ and said "I want to play for England instead, despite moving here for professional reasons as an adult"?


No idea, ask an Aussie. Fair to say they (Australia) haven't exactly done much to further the cause of international RL in the past, wouldn't you agree?

Christ! I agree with tb

We will never know if the cynics are right but, if Chase wants to play for England, I see no reason to deny him, except on his performance. It's not like England haven't used overseas players before. At least he's a good un.

There's no guarantee that he'll get picked, and it will give us a strength in depth in that area that we haven't seen for a long time. I was more concerned when I saw Kevin Brown in an England shirt, to be honest. That, in itself, shows the paucity of quality halves we have at the disposal of our national team.

So you think this was set up overnight do you?

Gareth Widdop has played out a full season at stand off for Melbourne Storm who finished top of the NRL table. I’m not sure Chase makes us that much stronger it requires capital letters

Is there any audio available for this interview? Prepared to take it back if this was an on-the-spot interview, but it smacks of 'constructed press release' to me.

That's absolutely right. Chase may never even be selected. But, should we have a few injured halfbacks going in to a tournament, he is one hell of an option. Better than having to use the likes of Kevin Brown, anyway.