
NRL forward Chris McQueen has become the latest name from Down Under to throw his name into Wayne Bennett’s thinking for England selection this year: saying he wouldn’t be able to say no if the England coach gave him the opportunity.
Despite being a born-and-raised Australian by birth, McQueen, a former South Sydney Rabbitohs forward who is now at Gold Coast Titans, qualifies for England duty via his father.
And he told reporters in Australia that although playing for England means he would miss out on adding to his State of Origin appearances for Queensland, the opportunity to play in the international arena is one that would be difficult to turn down.
“I have played Origin, won a grand final and won the World Club Challenge, but the only thing I haven’t done is play Test football,” McQueen told The Courier Mail.
“If I pledged my allegiance to England, it would rule me out of Queensland.
“That would be tough, but if Wayne gave me the opportunity, I couldn’t see myself saying no.”
Bennett is reportedly sounding out a number of Australian-born players for England honours this year as he looks to build a squad capable of winning the Four Nations.