Dave Craven: Manu's England involvement could lead to disillusionment

IT COULD all be much ado about nothing. He will probably not get selected for the Four Nations and the whole episode will be forgotton as quickly as Maurie Fa'asavalu.

However, the fact Steve McNamara opened the door for Sydney-born, ex-Junior Kiwi and recent Tongan international Willie Manu to play for England was always going to ruffle some feathers whatever transpires.

The aggressive Hull second-row was forced into making a statement yesterday after it emerged he was not only in McNamara's thoughts but actually in Tuesday's team-bonding exercise with a bunch of Royal Marines.

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Manu proclaimed he was "flattered" and, if given the chance to represent his home of the last five years, "it would be something I would have to consider".

Club coach Richard Agar added, regardless of whether the inclusion is right or wrong, "he's a player that can win you a game so, from an ability and form perspective, I don't think there's any argument."

Previous England chief Tony Smith picked St Helens' Samoan prop Fa'asavalu three years ago prompting some unrest.

International team-mate Terry Newton wrote in his recently published autobioigraphy he thought the decision was tantamount to cheating.

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Indeed, privately, some current England players admit to being rather alarmed, even discouraged by the sight of Manu reporting for duty this week, simply because they too feel it is a dubious path down which to tread.

Undoubtedly, some aspiring youngsters will see the news and wonder where it leaves their international prospects.

Others will question why Manu is even being considered given the depth of talent England has in its back-row reserves – Sam Burgess, Gareth Ellis (both missing this week due to their playing in Australia), Ben Westwood and Jon Wilkin, to name a few.

Indeed, another – Wigan tyro Joel Tomkins – would have been in Liverpool as well if not for an unforeseen trip to the RFL disciplinary meeting which, in all likelihood, also prevented Manu's Hull second-row partner Danny Tickle from joining the England get-together.

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The practice is rife in other sports, with Maoris forever trying to make a name for themselves in England's rugby union side and South Africans currently crucial to the nation's cricketing fortunes, but that will do little to assuage traditionalists.

However, the opinions of these critics do not matter; McNamara is the man selected to lead England's rugby league side.

On taking the job, he insisted he would explore every avenue to find the elusive recipe for international success.

People will not complain if England win the Four Nations with Manu in the side.

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After spending more than three years in the UK, he qualifies through residency and his assets are obvious – no player has made more tackle busts in Super League this season.

However, McNamara pointed out yesterday this 37-man squad is fluid. I, for one, do not feel Manu will make the cut when it comes to 23.

The 37-strong squad is:

C Bridge (Warrington), T Briscoe (Hull), K Eastmond (St Helens), J Graham (St Helens), R Hall (Leeds), S O'Loughlin (Wigan),

D McGuire (Leeds), A Morley (Warrington), J Peacock (Leeds), J Roby (St Helens), N Scruton (Bradford), M Shenton (Castleford), K Sinfield (Leeds), S Tomkins (Wigan), B Westwood (Warrington), S Lunt (Huddersfield), K Brown (Huddersfield), R Myler (Warrington), R Atkins (Warrington), J Broughton (Salford), L Cudjoe (Huddersfield), P Fox (Hull KR), L Smith (Leeds), G Carvell (Warrington), B Harrison (Warrington), J Langley (Bradford), T Clubb (Harlequins), B Jones-Bishop (Harlequins), A Lynch (Bradford), J Westerman (Castleford), K Yeaman (Hull), L McCarthy Scarsbrook (Harlequins), E Crabtree (Huddersfield), S Moore (St Helens), P Sykes (Bradford), J Wilkin

(St Helens), W Manu (Hull).