English legend Garry Schofield has slammed the selection of Victor Radley for England and accused coach Shaun Wane of going back on his word in picking his World Cup side.
Radley sacrificed a future shot at the Origin arena to play for the country of his father’s birth at the World Cup, but Schofield told The Daily Telegraph, the Roosters star only chose England when he knew he couldn’t make the Australian team.
“I wouldn’t have any Kiwis or Aussies anywhere near my dressing room,” Schofield told The Daily Telegraph.
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“Waney has gone back on his word. Radley was never near getting picked for Australia, that’s why he’s gone for England.”
The fact that Radley has sacrificed a potential $90,000 in Origin payments each year if selected didn’t seem to matter to Schofield, with his Blues selection also not guaranteed with Isaah Yeo and Cameron Murray ahead of him in the NSW pecking order.
Cooper Cronk asked England second-rower John Bateman how Radley has transitioned into the squad.
“I will talk about my old mate Victor Radley, it was big news here in Australia when he decided to represent England and his family,” Cronk said on Fox League’s World Cup preview show.
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“How has he been and what sort of impact is he going to make this World Cup?”
“He has been good to have around the boys,” Bateman replied.
“Everyone is getting used to him because obviously no one knew him. But it has been good to get him in camp.
“I think he struggled with the national anthem a bit last week, but he has been a breath of fresh air to be fair. He is a great player and will be good for us.”
Cronk believes Radley could be a real point of difference at the World Cup.
“I think Victor Radley could be a huge inclusion for England,” Cronk said.
“The way that he ball plays and the way that he dives into the line.
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“If he can team up with Whitehead and Bateman. A little bit of X-factor in the back row.”
However, Schofield also took aim at the entire England squad, who he believes will struggle in their home tournament.
“It’s going to be a very, very tough World Cup for England,” Schofield told Everything Rugby League.
“There’s not just three sides anymore than can win the World Cup. There’s Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, as well as New Zealand and Australia, and PNG on their day can beat anyone. It’s going to be a very, very competitive World Cup.
“It all depends on the first game for England. If we lose that the pressure will be on. I don’t think England will get to the final.
“If we get to the semi-finals we’ll have done alright. We’re missing our best players through injury.”
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Greg Alexander also believes England are in for a tough ride on home soil.
“I think they are up against it,” Alexander said.
“They will finish top two, but I don’t know if they will finish on top of their group.
“This first game against Samoa will decide that. But when you have a look at the injuries they have got in some pretty key positions.
“Marc Sneyd from Salford is a 31-year-old halfback. He is likely to be making his debut and playing halfback for England.
“So they are probably short. John Lomax is injured.
“They have certainly got the forwards with Bateman and Whitehead and Victor Radley and they have got a couple of good front-rowers who play in the NRL in Burgess and Thompson.
“But I think England are in for a tough tournament at home.”
“They have got the pack, but they are a bit skinny out wide and in the spine,” Braith Anasta agreed.
