Smith keeps his England plans quiet
ENGLAND will not be going public with their preliminary 42-man squad for the World Cup today because they want the players to maintain their form ahead of the competition.
World Cup organisers had wanted as many countries as possible to name their initial squads this week to boost publicity for the event.[>
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But England will not be one of them, with coach Tony Smith preferring to keep people on their toes rather than submit names early for a media guide.[>
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Australia will lead the way by announcing their squad, which will include Super League-bound stars Danny Buderus (Leeds) and Michael Crocker (Hull), after coach Ricky Stuart changed his mind about not picking players who were leaving the NRL.[>
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But there is expected to be no place for St George-Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier, who is switching codes to join Stade Francais at the end of the season.[>
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New Zealand have selected Sonny Bill Williams, despite his imminent move into French Rugby Union with Toulon, but Gasnier has had no support from the Aussie selectors.[>
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ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said: “It’s important for people to know the quality of player that is going to be involved in the tournament – particularly for the Pacific nations.”[>
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Paul Cooke’s future at Hull KR remains in doubt after he was left out of their squad to face Catalans Dragons tomorrow.[>
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Cooke, 27, was dropped for their last match against Hull FC for disciplinary reasons.[>
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Castleford have signed South Sydney prop Dean Widders and St George-Illawarra stand-off, hooker or half-back Rangi Chase. [>
