ENGLAND coach Steve McNamara says the feuding between two members of his Four Nations squad has helped galvanise it after revealing the rivals made a peace pact before going into camp.
St Helens second rower Jon Wilkin rounded on Leeds prop Ryan Bailey for his post-match celebrations at Saturday’s Super League Grand Final, accusing him of crossing the line by taunting the younger members of the Saints team beaten 32-16 by the Rhinos.
“I thought 16 of their players were possibly the most gracious people in victory and lovely fellas as well,” Wilkin said. “But the way Ryan Bailey behaved – I’m embarrassed for him as a human being. He’s playing a man’s game but I’ve never seen such a child play a man’s game before in my life.”
Wilkin and Bailey could soon be team-mates after being included in McNamara’s 24-man squad but any fears of the obvious bad blood between them spilling over into the England team were allayed before they met up at Loughborough University today.
“They’ve acted so maturely,” McNamara said. “They dealt with it themselves initially. The players are absolutely fine. There has been some laughing and joking and, in a silly sort of way, it’s created a bit of a bond.
“It shows the passion those two players have for their own clubs and we want players with that type of passion doing that for England.”
Speaking at an England media day at the university, Wilkin insisted the rivalry was not an issue after revealing he broke the ice.
“It’s part of sport, isn’t it?” he said. “Personal battles happen, I think it’s what makes sport interesting. Passion sometimes does overflow.
“Ryan’s form has been fantastic and it’s good to have him in the England team. I spoke to him before we came into camp and there are no issues.
“Those rivalries that you have are just signs that people care. I care as much for the St Helens cause as much as Ryan cares for the Leeds cause and that’s why we clashed.
“If we can translate that into caring for the England cause, that will be the common bond between us.”
Wilkin, who has been involved with the national team since 2004, says the regular get-togethers of McNamara’s elite training squad this year will help remove club tensions and make the current England team one of the best prepared in history.
“One thing that is different this year to other years, is that we’ve been in camp two or three times already,” he said. “It now seems very familiar, very comfortable, almost like a second club in that you already have a kind of kind of bond with people here and the surroundings.
“It is the best preparation without doubt. In years gone by, it was good but probably on a par with clubs.
“In terms of facilities on offer, resources, quality of coaching and time with specialist people, it’s far greater than anything I’ve known.
“That’s not a criticism of the past but it does give you the feeling of something elevated from club rugby.”
McNamara, who has been given unprecedented access to Super League players this year, yesterday welcomed Melbourne Storm utility back Gareth Widdop and Brisbane Broncos centre Jack Reed into his squad. The Yorkshire-born duo arrived in the country yesterday and linked up with players from St Helens, Leeds, Wigan and Warrington alongside the initial train-on squad.
