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Pommy audition for Heighington
* By Will Swanton
* From: The Sunday Telegraph
* August 29, 2010 12:01AM
ENGLAND coach Steve McNamara has a demand for Wests Tigers forward Chris Heighington - prove you want to be a Pom.
Heighington has revealed his interest in representing England in the Four Nations after being unable to crack the NSW and Australian teams.
The Tigers backrower, whose father is English, has an influential backer in Tigers and England forward Gareth Ellis.
But McNamara, on a visit to Sydney this weekend, said Heighington needed to show it wasn't just a last resort to play international football.
"I wont speak about any specific player, but the No 1 important thing for me as national coach is the chemistry of the 24 players in the England group who will come on tour," McNamara said.
"That is of paramount importance. The camaraderie, the atmosphere within the group, the chemistry within the England team has to be protected at all costs.
"So regardless of whether someone is deadset English or qualifies some other way, if that person isn't right for the group, he won't be welcomed into the group. But if that person is deemed to be right for the group, he will be.
"They're the rules."
McNamara, who started plotting England's Four Nations campaign last week by meeting his assistant coach, Roosters mentor Brian Smith, will have a pow-wow with Ellis this week.
Heighington's suitability to be in the England mix will be a topic of discussion.
"We are very keen to keep our identity as a nation," McNamara said. "That is very important for everyone to realise in a situation like this.
"There are a couple of factors there to sort through. If it's decided that any player can contribute to what is important to this team, I will be absolutely fine with it.
"I haven't made contact with Chris because there are a lot of players in Australia who actually do qualify. You'd be surprised to hear the number of players.
"I won't be going out seeking those players, but if someone wanted to have a chat with me and make themselves available, I'd be more than willing to hear what they have to say."
Heighington's father, Tom, lived in England until his 20s.
McNamara will hear nothing but praise from Ellis.
"We're great mates," Ellis said. "He's just a great bloke. I'm in his ear all the time about playing for England."
* By Will Swanton
* From: The Sunday Telegraph
* August 29, 2010 12:01AM
ENGLAND coach Steve McNamara has a demand for Wests Tigers forward Chris Heighington - prove you want to be a Pom.
Heighington has revealed his interest in representing England in the Four Nations after being unable to crack the NSW and Australian teams.
The Tigers backrower, whose father is English, has an influential backer in Tigers and England forward Gareth Ellis.
But McNamara, on a visit to Sydney this weekend, said Heighington needed to show it wasn't just a last resort to play international football.
"I wont speak about any specific player, but the No 1 important thing for me as national coach is the chemistry of the 24 players in the England group who will come on tour," McNamara said.
"That is of paramount importance. The camaraderie, the atmosphere within the group, the chemistry within the England team has to be protected at all costs.
"So regardless of whether someone is deadset English or qualifies some other way, if that person isn't right for the group, he won't be welcomed into the group. But if that person is deemed to be right for the group, he will be.
"They're the rules."
McNamara, who started plotting England's Four Nations campaign last week by meeting his assistant coach, Roosters mentor Brian Smith, will have a pow-wow with Ellis this week.
Heighington's suitability to be in the England mix will be a topic of discussion.
"We are very keen to keep our identity as a nation," McNamara said. "That is very important for everyone to realise in a situation like this.
"There are a couple of factors there to sort through. If it's decided that any player can contribute to what is important to this team, I will be absolutely fine with it.
"I haven't made contact with Chris because there are a lot of players in Australia who actually do qualify. You'd be surprised to hear the number of players.
"I won't be going out seeking those players, but if someone wanted to have a chat with me and make themselves available, I'd be more than willing to hear what they have to say."
Heighington's father, Tom, lived in England until his 20s.
McNamara will hear nothing but praise from Ellis.
"We're great mates," Ellis said. "He's just a great bloke. I'm in his ear all the time about playing for England."
