BIG SEVEN: Radley among NRL stars named in England squad due to…

October 16, 2024 Tsetim Theophilus Leeds Rhinos 0

Roosters enforcer Victor Radley – who feared a shoulder injury had ended his season in round 26 – is one of seven NRL stars in Shaun Wane’s England squad to host Samoa in Tests at Wigan and Leeds.

Ben Gardiner’s Toa Samoa will arrive at Heathrow on Saturday afternoon to take on a team still reeling from their devastating loss to the Pacific nation in the 2022 World Cup semifinals. With 2018 Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson excused for long service for personal reasons and Wigan centre Jake Wardle sidelined due to a knee injury, Wane reduced his performance squad to 24 on Wednesday. Radley’s return during the finals was regarded as a medical miracle after he suffered a fractured left scapula against Canberra in Round 26. Clubmate Dominic Young, Kai Pearce-Paul of Newcastle, Herbie Farnworth of the Dolphins, Morgan Smithies of Canberra, and two players who are heading in the opposite direction this off-season—Tom Burgess and John Bateman—join him. After playing for South Sydney for 12 seasons, Burgess is returning to Huddersfield in the Super League, and Bateman is returning to Wests Tigers after making an appearance with Warrington.Rabbitohs prop Tom Burgess in action for England during last year's series against Tonga.
Rabbitoh’s prop England’s Tom Burgess during the series against Tonga last year.© Getty Images

In response to the England team, Gardiner told NRL.com: “It’s a very strong squad.” Yes, there is a good mix of Super League and NRL quality on the [potential starting] team list that our staff recently assembled.

“I see that several of the guys are fresh and ready to go because they were in the Super League grand final.”

Potential debutants in the squad include Wigan’s Junior Nsemba, the Super League’s Young Player of the Year, and Liam Marshall, the league’s leading try scorer.

Wingers Tom Johnson and Ash Handley, centre Sam Wood, hooker Brad O’Neill, back rowers Matty Nicholson and Elliott Minchella, and reserves James Harrison, Tyler Dupree, and Oli Wilson are absent from the team that defeated France 40–8 in Toulouse’s Stade Ernest Wallon on June 29.

Other players added to the team include back rower Morgan Knowles, hooker Danny Walker, props Ethan Havard and Chris Hill, winger Matty Ashton, and hooker Daryl Clark.

Some players who are unable to play, including Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu, are asked to visit and support the Samoan team as they assemble in Sydney on Friday before departing by plane.

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