By STEVE MASCORD
WAYNE Bennett has admitted being English helped Ash Handley earn a Great Britain call-up – but denied being Welsh hurt his selection rival, Regan Grace.
In a week when coach Bennett also conceded he was using the Great Britain team to build England’s halves depth ahead of the 2021 World Cup, he was asked on the eve of the Second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch why Leeds’ Handley had got the nod for the final game on tour against Papua New Guinea next week.
“He was in the Nines, he’s a kid on the up,” Bennett said – in reference to England’s Nines squad, as opposed to that of Wales which also competed in the World Cup Nines at Parramatta.
“He’s in the (England) Knights programme. We’re trying to bring young players out of the Knights programme as well and he played only recently. A lot of guys over there haven’t played for six weeks, they haven’t trained.
“He was with the Nines squad. That was only three weeks ago. That’s the main reason. Tommy Makinson should have been here but he got injured I the grand final. We wouldn’t have had that problem.”
Bennett’s comments seem to confirm the fears of Ireland, Scotland and Wales that England Knights hoard players who would otherwise represent them, and that players in England Knights are given preferential treatment by Great Britain.
Great Britain is supposed to represent all home nations – but Bennett’s comment that Handley was already in the system again indicates he does not distinguish between England and GB.
Asked if this meant Grace was disadvantaged by playing for Wales, Bennett answered: “Well, no. We didn’t discuss him. “
But the coach went on to say, “We know the player (Handley) because he was with us in the Nines and he was with half this squad here.
“It just makes this transition easier. I’m trying to make it simple at the moment.Â
“He’s a wonderful player, Grace. He played really good footy in the Nines, too. He’ll get another opportunity down the track.”
Of course, that opportunity won’t come for four years – the next time Great Britain is scheduled to play.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
