Paul Sculthorpe takes 'toughest decision' to choose club over country

Jul 26 2007 by Ian Laybourn, Liverpool Daily Post

PAUL SCULTHORPE described the decision to turn his back on his country as the toughest of his career but insists his club now comes first.

The 29-year-old St Helens loose forward yesterday announced he is to relinquish the Great Britain captaincy and retire from international rugby league with immediate effect after three years dogged by injury.

Sculthorpe, whose autobiography “Man of Steel” is out next week, is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles and is unlikely to play until 2008 but expects shortly to sign a new contract with the Super League champions.

The former Warrington player was appointed as Great Britain captain when Andy Farrell switched codes with Saracens two years ago, but a succession of knee injuries forced him to miss each of the last two Tri-Nations Series and he would have been struggling to make the end-of-season Test series with New Zealand.

“It was the toughest decision I’ve had to make,” he said. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing for GB but it’s the right decision.

“I’ve not played for a while and my priority is getting fit and getting back playing for my club.

“To be honest, I made my decision before I did my Achilles. I wanted to announce it while I was playing well but unfortunately I got this.”

The only player to win back-to-back Man of Steel awards, Sculthorpe has won 26 Great Britain caps since making his debut in Papua New Guinea 11 years ago and played four World Cup matches for England in 2000. But he admits that the captaincy appointment became something of a poisoned chalice.

“The only game I’ve been captain was in the Kiwi game and that lasted 18 minutes,” he said. “I’ve been unlucky but I was honoured to get the job.”

Sculthorpe, who remains the most expensive forward in rugby league following the £370,000 deal that took him from Warrington to St Helens in 1997, is out of contract at the end of the year. But Saints recently gave new deals to 30-year-olds Keiron Cunning-ham and Sean Long and Sculth-orpe hopes to tie up a new contract in the next few weeks.

“I’ve spoken to (chairman) Eamonn McManus a few times and I’ll catch up with him this week,” he said.

“It was a six-month injury so it’s more than likely it will be next year before I play again but I saw the specialist in London on Monday and he was really pleased with my progress. He said ’you’ll make a full and 100% recovery, no doubt’.”

Sculthorpe has scored 1,230 points, including 111 tries, from 243 appearances for St Helens.

Great Britain coach Tony Smith, who will take charge of England for the 2008 World Cup in Australia, led the tributes to the former skipper and revealed he has plans to keep him involved with the national side.

“Some of the things that he could add to the squad are still available to me,” said Smith.

“I am sure there will be some ongoing contact and advice because he’s very experienced. He’s been there for a long time and done it.

“I’d certainly like to tap into his knowledge for the future, depending on what his commitments are.

“I’m not saying he’d necessarily be in camp at each Test that we have but I’ll certainly get advice off him from time to time. He is very forthcoming and seemed very keen to help in that role. He’s first and foremost very, very loyal to Great Britain.”