England coach Steve McNamara has caused a little bit of controversy ahead of the Four Nations Series by selecting New Zealand-born stand-off Rangi Chase in his train-on squad.
The 25-year-old Castleford Tigers, who is one of three nominations for this year’s Man of Steel, has never played for the country of his birth and qualifies to play for England on residency grounds.
The Rugby Football League will now look at the documentation before handing it to the RLIF to confirm his eligibility.
Chase will join up with the train-on squad this week as preparations continue for next month’s international programme.
The decision to include Chase will upset a lot of fans and experts in the game because he is halting the progress of a young English player like Lee Gaskell or Jonny Lomax, but McNamara is happy with the decision.
The England coach said: “It’s excellent news that Rangi wants to play for England and commit his long-term future to our international programme.
“I have met with Rangi and he has shown to me that he is totally committed in playing for England and he can’t wait to be part of our plans. It is exciting news that we have a player of Rangi’s quality available to us.
“His presence will enhance the Elite Training Squad and will add great competition for places, especially in the crucial half-back role. I am really looking forward to working with him during our preparations in the build up to the Gillette Four Nations.”
Chase, who came to England in 2008, has been one of the outstanding players in the 2011 Engage Super League, he added: “I have thought long and hard about the opportunity of playing for England after I became eligible to play.
“I approached Steve McNamara and explained that I wanted to play for England and more importantly show my commitment. England, and in particular Castleford, is my home now and I want to lay my long-term roots here. I have an English girlfriend and signing a new contract with Castleford, last week, was a big deal for me. I don’t want to play anywhere else.
“I have resurrected my life in England and feel more at ease here than anywhere else in the world. I spend all my time at home and don’t go back to New Zealand in the off season.
“Getting selected for England will be my greatest honour. You can feel there is something special being built and I want to do everything I can to help England achieve international success.”
