League: Betham wants to be counted

Monty Betham

Wakefield captain Monty Betham is delighted to get the chance to bang the drum for England-based rugby league players.

The 28-year-old former New Zealand skipper received a belated call-up for Wednesday's (NZ time) test against Great Britain at St Helens following the withdrawal of Warrington backrower Logan Swann.

Betham, halfway through his first season in Super League with the Wildcats, did not make coach Brian McClennan's initial 22-man squad but quickly put that disappointment behind him when he joined the party in Leeds this week.

"When it was first dreamed up, I was keen to be part of it," he said.

"Then when the squad was named, I realised I wasn't in and I put my head down and concentrated on Wakefield.

"Getting the call from Bluey (McClennan) this week has been great, a nice surprise. It's been a while since I played test football."

Betham's last appearance came in the centenary test against Australia in Auckland in 2003 when he famously captained New Zealand to a 30-16 victory.

Centre Clinton Toopi, who will follow Betham into Super League with Leeds next season, scored a hat-trick of tries in that memorable win and he will also line up at Knowsley Road on Tuesday.

The only other National Rugby League players in the side are 20-year-old Canterbury Bulldogs stand-off Ben Roberts, who is poised to make his debut, and Melbourne second rower David Kidwell, who will fly out on Saturday after playing for his club.

Elsewhere, it will be down to the Super League-based Kiwis to take on Brian Noble's Great Britain side and Betham is confident they will be up to the task.

"It's great for us to come over to Super League and still play for our country," he said.

"It's a great boost for me.

"We want to make sure the New Zealand selectors realise there are still good players over here in the Super League."

McClennan's big selection surprise, Wigan youngster Harrison Hansen, was chosen with one eye on the end-of-season Tri-Nations Series and the 2008 World Cup but he could yet feature in the one-off test.

He represented England at junior level but Hansen has now opted to play for his homeland.

Out for three months with a broken ankle, the 20-year-old son of former Salford forward Shane Hansen is hoping to play against Warrington at the JJB Stadium on Friday in a bid to prove his fitness.

"We're still assessing things as we go," McClennan said.

"It was a nice surprise when I met with Harrison when I was over last month to discover that he wants to become a Kiwi.

"His father was a great player back home for us and he's a good young talent."

McClennan will trim his squad to 18 and name his captain when they convene on Monday after the completion of the weekend's Super League fixtures.

Great Britain also go into camp on Monday and Noble will finalise his squad 24 hours before the match.

- NZPA