NRL Finals Series: Garry Schofield calls for more English players in the NRL after Canberra success
As the Raiders bask in the success of their English experiment, Garry Schofield - who starred for Balmain and Wests in the 1980s - has named three other players who could make it big in the NRL.
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The British are coming.
That’s the dream of England and Great Britain great Gary Schofield, who believes the international game will benefit if more NRL clubs follow Canberra’s lead and recruit from the UK.
The Raiders will try to book their first grand final in 25 years when they host South Sydney on Friday night after their four-man English contingent helped spark a revival in the nation’s capital.
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Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has earned praise for thinking outside the box and luring Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman and Ryan Sutton to the Raiders, with England Test halfback George Williams also set to come in 2020.
Schofield hoped more NRL clubs would now follow Stuart’s lead and recruit from the Super League, saying it would provide a welcome shot in the arm for Test football.
He even offered up who he thought should be their next targets - St Helens trio Luke Thompson, Alex Walmsley and reigning Golden Boot winner Tom Makinson.
“As far as I’m concerned, the more English players we can get in the NRL the better,” the veteran of 46 Great Britain caps said.
“I think the best thing would be if we could have 30 or 40 players out there.
“It would only be good for the international game.
“Luke Thompson I think could hack it. Alex Walmsley too...(and) Tommy Makinson would be outstanding out there with the right service.”
Schofield - who enjoyed successful 1980s stints at Balmain and Western Suburbs - paid tribute to Stuart, admitting it would have been a gamble to lure UK players starting with wily hooker Hodgson in 2015.
Schofield even admitted he had been surprised by the English players’ success at Canberra, particularly Bateman who now reminded him of Manly great Mal Reilly.
“I know Ricky pretty well and he took a massive gamble on Josh (Hodgson),” he said.
“But Ricky can see the talent and Josh has become one of the best hookers in the world.
“Elliott Whitehead has always shown that consistency.
“I was surprised about Ryan Sutton, he’s shown some great stuff.
“And Bateman is exceptional. One concern was whether he could last it in the NRL, because of his size.
“But he hasn’t shirked his responsibility in defence where nobody gets the better of him...(and) he’s got a great passing game.
“The last great ball-playing forward out there was Mal Reilly. I’m not putting him in the same bracket but Ricky has let John Bateman express himself and he’s been sensational.”
Originally published as NRL Finals Series: Garry Schofield calls for more English players in the NRL after Canberra success