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How Heighington became a Lion
Brad Walter
October 29, 2011MANCHESTER: Chris Heighington’s selection in England’s Four Nations team has been more than a year in the making, with the Wests Tigers back-rower meeting coach Steve McNamara several times in the past 12 months.
The recruitments of Heighington, Broncos centre Jack Reed and former Tigers and Dragons playmaker Rangi Chase, nicknamed Roger by his new teammates, have divided English fans and former players. They are signings McNamara has worked on for some time.
The England coach gave a clear indication he would consider anyone eligible when he called up Halifax-born Melbourne five-eighth Gareth Widdop last year and named former Tigers and Dragons forward Willie Manu in a train-on squad for last year’s Four Nations.
While in Australia for that tournament, McNamara met Heighington and let him know he would be in line for selection if he made himself available on heritage grounds through his English father and grandparents. The same message was relayed to the manager of the Yorkshire-born Reed, Jim Banaghan, after just the 23-year-old’s fifth game for Brisbane this year.
Meanwhile an Australian official at Castleford, Michael Robinson, alerted Chase that he qualified on residency grounds after three years in Super League.
‘‘I met with Steve over a year ago,’’ Heighington said after his selection in England’s Four Nations squad. ''He was honest and said that he really wanted me to be in the system. We met a couple more times since then, exchanged emails, phone calls etc …
"I’m extremely proud of where my granddad and father come from so I thought that I should give it a shot.’’
Heighington’s decision has the support of the Tigers and Australian coach Tim Sheens.
Reed revealed that he had consulted Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer and senior Broncos players before committing to England.
‘‘I think it was after round five that I got a phone call from my manager saying that Steve McNamara had been tipped off that I was British-born and he got in contact with me and said he was interested in having me as a part of the squad for this Four Nations tournament,’’ Reed said.
''I had a sit down with my parents and my family, and I spoke to a couple of the older boys at the Broncos, like Corey Parker, and I had a chat with Darren Lockyer about it.
‘‘They pretty much helped me make my decision by saying that whatever I wanted to pick everyone would support me.’’
Not everyone agrees with McNamara’s decision to follow the lead of England’s rugby union team, which has boasted Kiwi league internationals Henry Paul, Lesley Vainikolo and Shontayne Hape in recent seasons and included Samoan Manu Tuilagi at the recent World Cup.
Former Balmain and Western Suburbs five-eighth Garry Schofield, who is considered one of the greatest English players of all time, has been the most vocal. He says many others feel the same way.
‘‘With Jack Reed and Gareth Widdop, I will buy into those two because they were born here,’’ Schofield said. ''But Chris Heighington, no way, Mate. And as far as Rangi Chase goes, he’s a Kiwi …
‘‘If it happened in my day, if they had said we’ve got Brett Kenny or Mal [Meninga] or big Geno [Gene Miles], I would have been absolutely filthy, and I can tell you 90 or 95 per cent of ex-players I have spoken to are not happy with this decision.’’
In a video posted on YouTube of Chase being presented with the England No.7 jersey before last weekend’s Test against France, teammate Jamie Jones-Buchanan asks the Super League player of the year if he will now change his name to something more British-sounding, such as Roger, and get a tattoo of a Bulldog to go with the Maori one on his right arm.
Reed said he, Heighington and Chase had all been accepted by the other members of the England squad. ‘‘We all had sit downs and talks about it and they have been real supportive of us coming over and showing we are here to win and represent our country where we are originally from.’’
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What’s the fuss, says Chris Heighington
James Hooper
The Daily Telegraph
October 29, 2011 12:00AMHIS family shares the same name as a tiny northern English mining village and his father Tom was born and raised in the UK.
What about the words to God Save The Queen? He’s had them down pat since he was a teenager.
Don’t try telling Wests Tigers lock Chris Heighington it’s a bit weird he’s wearing the English jersey with the St George Cross above his heart rather than a Kangaroo during this year’s Four Nations tournament.
Frustrated at being overlooked for State of Origin selection with NSW or international honours in the green and gold, the Umina Bunnies junior with the unmistakably Australian accent has decided to represent England.
Blame his Wests Tigers teammate Gareth Ellis, South Sydney international Sam Burgess and England coach Steve McNamara, who flew to Australia 12 months ago specifically to try and persuade Heighington to become a Pom.
“I don’t see what all the fuss is about, Dad’s English and he was born and raised over here so it’s within the eligibility rules,” Heighington said.
"There’s even a little Heighington village in the north of England which is great, I went up there the other day and caught up with a few family who still live there.
"For me it’s not a big deal. I’ve never really stepped out of my comfort zone and I just felt like it was right timing-wise.
"I was thinking about it for quite a while and I probably made my mind up about six months ago.
"I met with Steve McNamara a few times throughout the year and he was really keen to get me into the system. Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess were also getting in my ear.
“I wanted to challenge myself in the toughest arena and I’m confident it’s going to be a great experience.”
While the selections of NRL stars Heighington and Brisbane Bronco Jack Reed have been widely well-accepted, the same cannot be said for the Poms opting to pick Rangi Chase.
Two years ago Chase was selected in a train-on squad for New Zealand, while only two months ago he played against England for a team of ex-patriots dubbed The Exiles in the UK.
Retired English international Garry Schofield has led a chorus of critics slamming the decision to select Super League’s Man of Steel.
Again, Heighington couldn’t see what all the fuss was about.
“He’s sort of like a Benji Marshall in that he’s got all the trick shots up his sleeve and he wants to play for England,” the Wests Tigers lock said.
Chase, Heighington and Broncos rookie Reed will play their second Test for England tomorrow morning before a showdown against Australia at world-famous Wembley Stadium the following weekend.
All three escaped having to sing God Save The Queen on debut against France last weekend when the local hosts bungled playing the visitors’ national anthem.
“Yeah, I know the words. I’ve known them since I was a teenager when we used to have to sing it at Umina High,” Heighington recalled.
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Who cares what gary schofield says….this is all that matters…
Reed said he, Heighington and Chase > had all been accepted by the other members of the England squad. > ‘‘We all had sit downs and talks about it and they have been real supportive of us coming over and showing we are here to win and represent our country where we are originally from.’’
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^^This. Also, he mentions players who had been chosen for SOO and Australia. If Heighington had been, I’m sure he wouldn’t have been looking somewhere else for rep honours.
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“Yeah, I know the words. I’ve known them since I was a teenager when we used to have to sing it at Umina High,” Heighington recalled.
It doesn’t seem that long ago when they used to play ‘God save the Queen’ at the movies here before the main movie started and you’d have to stand up out of respect. Don’t remember it being played at the drive-ins though
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Ellis set up one try snd chris scored one glad there with the tigers
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In the record books as the first Aussie to score a try for England
Nice professional touch at the end to switch the ball from right hand to left in grounding it near the upright, to avoid a fast covering defending winger
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In the record books as the first Aussie to score a try for England
Nice professional touch at the end to switch the ball from right hand to left in grounding it near the upright, to avoid a fast covering defending winger
True. He always looked like the consumate pro out there.
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Lets be honest, Heighnington was nothing against France then Wales, last night he was dominated by a 21yo novice with very little RL experience.
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Don’t get me wrong I love Chris but this decision was very wrong my parents were both born in another country but never would I consider giving my elegance to another country . Shame shame shame
Posted using RoarFEED -
“Yeah, I know the words. I’ve known them since I was a teenager when we used to have to sing it at Umina High,” Heighington recalled.
It doesn’t seem that long ago when they used to play ‘God save the Queen’ at the movies here before the main movie started and you’d have to stand up out of respect. Don’t remember it being played at the drive-ins though
Gee Cunno Even I can’t remember that
Then again back when you went to the movies you would of been sitting with Fred ,Wilma ,Barney and Betty
Back on point though Rhino was solid in the Wales game Give him time once he gets familiar with the English players he will shine
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Don’t get me wrong I love Chris but this decision was very wrong my parents were both born in another country but never would I consider giving my elegance to another country . Shame shame shame
Posted using RoarFEEDWrong for you maybe, lucky for Chris its not your decision.
Its obviously right for him, thats all that matters -
Don’t get me wrong I love Chris but this decision was very wrong my parents were both born in another country but never would I consider giving my elegance to another country . Shame shame shame
Posted using RoarFEEDOne parent pommie, other Aussie. I can’t see what is wrong with that . I’m sure his old man is very proud of him, and that’s what it is all about. You would also probably find that he was not too concerned about pledging his ‘elegance’ more so his allegiance.
Good on him. -
England are a waste of time and space and the game is dying slowly over there. They need to make massive changes.
What moron would select Rangi Chase over Gareth Widdop……… Rangi is a failed NRL player from NZ and Widdop is a English star in one of the best teams in the NRL. Great signal to send to your young players also…… Select Chris and Chase over your born and bred juniors……
Good luck to Chris though but it really shows you the level that English League is at….
