Fans get chance to help choose Headingley line-up

The Rugby Football League have never been shy over their love of innovation, the Club Call concept introduced two years ago, whereby the leading Super League club pick their play-off opponent, being a case in point.

They have now gone a step further by asking fans to choose their favourite players in the first Exiles squad.

It follows the Australian model of selecting their All Stars teams for the NRL curtain-raiser and RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said: “This unique concept will get the fans closer to the action.

“They are passionate about their sport and there’s plenty of knowledge out there to pick a great team to face England.

“The International Origin Match is long overdue. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the internal club rivalry come to the fore when club team-mates go head-to-head.

“I’m sure this will become part of the sporting calendar for years to come and maybe develop into a two- or even three-game series.”

Former Leeds and New Zealand chief Brian McClennan leads the Exiles, assisted by Castleford’s Terry Matterson, the former Queensland State of Origin star.

They have selected a 34-strong squad from the 95 NRL club-trained players operating in Super League with Leeds Rhinos’ Danny Buderus as captain and Wigan’s Thomas Leuluai his deputy.

It is reduced to 22 towards the end of May, nine picked by the coaches, the rest by public vote.

Fans can log on to www.internationalorigin.com but only a maximum of three players can be selected from one club and the deadline is midnight on April 21.

They will then receive a £5 discount on an adult ticket.

Backs: George Carmont (Wigan/NZ), Rangi Chase (Castleford/NZ), Brett Finch, Pat Richards, Amos Roberts (all Wigan/Aus), Brett Hodgson, Matt King, Joel Monaghan (all Warrington/Aus), David Howell (Harlequins /Aus), Brett Kearney (Bradford/Aus), Francis Meli, Iosia Soliola (both St Helens/NZ) (St Helens/NZ), Jarrod Sammut (Crusaders/Aus), Brent Webb (Leeds/NZ).

Forwards: Louis Anderson (Warrington/NZ), Danny Buderus (Leeds/Aus - captain), Ray Cashmere (Salford/Aus), David Fa’alogo, David Faiumu (both Huddersfield/NZ), Craig Fitzgibbon, Mark O’Meley (both Hull FC/Aus), Ben Galea, Willie Mason, Clint Newton, Michael Vella (all Hull KR/Aus), Ryan Hoffman (Wigan/Aus), Kylie Leuluai (Leeds/NZ), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan/NZ - vice-captain), Jeff Lima (Wigan/NZ), Steve Menzies (Catalan/Aus), Michael Monaghan (Warrington/Aus), Glenn Morrison (Wakefield/Aus), Luke O’Donnell (Huddersfield/Australia), Tony Puletua (St Helens/NZ).