Chase has to sweat it out over England selection

There was a time not so long ago that the national side could only fantasize about having a skilled half-back of such pedigree yet, all of a sudden, there seems to be playmakers galore vying for the crucial role.

Much of the pre-match discourse for tonight’s International Origin against the Exiles had been about Huddersfield Giants’ Danny Brough’s controversial omission and a raging debate about whether he should have been in ahead of New Zealand-born Chase.

However, as kick-off approaches and with England coach Steve McNamara yet to actually name his 17, the word is that even Castleford Tigers’ mercurial schemer will miss out with Warrington Wolves’ sniping Richie Myler winning the coveted No 7 jersey.

Of course many observers, especially those who regularly watch the NRL, reckon none of them will be piloting England come the World Cup this autumn and Gareth Widdop, the Halifax-born Melbourne Storm half-back, will link up with England captain Kevin Sinfield.

Chase told the Yorkshire Post: “This Exiles game is something I’ve been looking forward to all year but I’m not sure if I will be in or not.

“I was just happy to make the squad but I’ve tried to train my way into the final 17 and done all I can.

“I have been playing some pretty good footy with Cas’ and hopefully I can take it into England but, it’s true, there is a lot of competition out there.”

Chase is a big admirer of Brough, who appeared in the previous Exiles fixture last July but has been overlooked since and very publicly stated on the eve of McNamara’s squad announcement last week that he wanted to instead play for Scotland.

“He is playing awesome but I don’t make the selections,” said the 2011 Man of Steel, who qualified for England on residency grounds two years ago.

“It would have been great if he was in the squad to keep that pressure on us that we need and I need.

“We need competition for places and it would have been good to have him in there to have that depth as we all know he’s a quality player. So, it’s a shame he wants to play for Scotland.

“We’re all fighting tooth and nail and, at the end of the day, it’s all about England.

“We want to be the best. We would be a lot more competitive with him fighting for that place but he’s his own man and he’s chosen Scotland.

“Good luck to him. He’s a good player and a good bloke.”

Chase, who this week spoke of the “discrimination” he felt after some critics still questioned his loyalty to his adopted homeland, knows only too well how competitive the Exiles will be.

He actually featured for them in 2011, winning man-of-the-match after inspiring a last-minute win over England at Headingley before swapping allegiances.

Five of his team-mates that day – Kylie Leuluai, Brett Hodgson, Pat Richards, Tony Puletua and Sia Soliola – still remain in the Exiles side this evening and Chase realises the Anzac alliance will provide a formidable foe.

“They’re a strong side when you look down their team-sheet,” said the 27-year-old.

“I know how tough they always are and what it means to them as I was involved in that first side two years ago.

“They have threats all over the park and we know we can never clock off.

“The Exiles definitely have some real quality players, but so have we.

“It’s a very important game for us. The World Cup is the bigger picture but we want to win this match. We’re still building with England but it should be a great game.”

Chase is delighted to see his former Castleford team-mate Brett Ferres in the squad, the free-running second-row who has thrived since moving to Huddersfield last July.

“It’s awesome news for Brett,” he said about the ex-Bradford Bulls and Wakefield forward.

“When I found out I sent him a text congratulating him and it’s good to have had him involved in camp this week.

“He was playing pretty well anyway at Cas’ but now he’s in a team that’s winning he gets seen more.

“He’s been playing like that for a few years so it’s great to see him finally get the acknowledgment.”

On the subject of Castleford, meanwhile, and in the face of that criticism about his loyalty and on-going speculation about a potential return to NRL St George-Illawarra, Chase has confirmed he will remain at Wheldon Road at least until the end of the season.

“The speculation has never affected me,” insisted a player, who has been a revelation for the West Yorkshire club ever since initially arriving in 2009.

“I’ve got used to it. I’m just concentrating on my job at Castleford.

“I’m definitely there for the season. I love it, always have. We’re just not winning but we’re working at it and we’re improving under Daryl Powell.

“I’ve got to keep improving my game, do it on a consistent basis for my club and, if I get the nod on Friday, I’ll get the chance to move a step closer to cementing my spot for the World Cup later this year.”