Earlier this Week Ryan Hall was announced as part of the England squad to face the exiles on Friday 14th June, at the Halliwell Jones stadium kick-off 8pm.
Being a World Cup year does this season Exiles game have greater meaning to the teams build up?
Well it’s a lot closer to the world cup and we have had the world cup in our sights for quite a while under Steve (McNamara). Steve hasn’t let us forget that there is a World Cup at the end of the year. We are using the exiles game as a good competitive warm up game. We are taking it very seriously and want to win that competition this year. The more time we can get on the field with the boys the better. It's against quality opposition, the sort that we will be facing at the end of the year. Its a really important game for us and we will be taking it seriously as always going for the win.
How do you think it compares to the speed and toughness of the State of Origin game we saw this morning between Queensland and NSW?
Well I’ve not watched it yet (laughs).
Obviously the Origin games there are there equivalent of our International Origin. Its a high standard game and that's what we are trying to achieve over here, we’re trying to implement that and get some good games out of it.
The International Origin game this season is returning to a one game competition. Do you believe it fits into the fixture list better than last year’s 2 game series?
Yeah we have one weekend to fit it in and it’s a stand-alone fixture this year. The Leeds and Widnes game does effect that though as we have to catch that game back up from the World Cup Challenge. Our season is a little bit longer than the Australia season. It fits the competition better as there is one definite winner were last year it was one apiece and nobody knew who was the clear winner.
Last year we had nearly two completely different sides competing in the second game after the injuries to players like Leuluai. Is that a worry for the clubs that if they are allowing players to go to these test matches that they can return injured for club level?
You can never go out thinking you’re going to get an injury in this game as you are more than likely going to get one. You can probably talk about fatigue a bit more to be honest. We might have to back up for Leeds three days after the Exiles game so fatigue might come into it.
Well that's it; Kevin Sinfield played 42 games last year that must have an impact on your body come the end of the season?
Well me and Kevin actually played the same amount last year. Kev actually played 10 minutes less than me as he was sin binned. I’m used to playing a high number of games now, we are telling ourselves it’s just like another Easter. I’ve done it before and I bet I’ll be able to do it again.
The Exiles game takes place next Friday and on Tuesday we saw Steve McNamara announce his England squad for the game. 15 players from last year’s Tri-Nations final retain their place whilst there are some fresh faces such as Huddersfield's Brett Ferres coming into the side. Is it a team you think can cause the Exiles problems?
Yeah definitely it’s an England Squad with top class English players playing in the game. That's what the team is designed to do - to go out and win games.
What do you think of Danny Brough's decision to elect Scotland over England? Are you happy with Chase and Sinfield playing in the halves?
Well obviously I’ve played with Kev ever since I have come to Leeds and he is a quality player. From a selectors point of view he (Brough) has been playing really well but if he wants to go play for Scotland that's his own decision. We still have a group of quality players like Rangi who has won Man of Steel a couple of years ago.
Brian McClennan is in charge of the Exiles again and he has some real quality to choose from. What kind of a game plan do you expect from your old coach?
Bluey's always been a good motivator, he had his motivational techniques and they really came across at Leeds especially in some big games. He can get his side up for those one of big games. He comes up with some big plays so I’ll have to be on my toes.
You could be coming up against your centre partner Joel Moon. How much does it help knowing your opposition?
Yeah it will be exciting. I've played with him quite a few times this year. If I'm playing directly opposite him it will be interesting. You can always take things out like I know what he is about so you can kind of combat that.
You've already had great personal international success. You’re performances in the 2011 Four Nations, notably the two tries at Wembley, have gained you world-wide attention and a place in the World XIII. What does it feel like to gain this international recognition?
Yeah it's very nice obviously. It's just people’s opinion that goes into teams like that but it’s nice to be thought to be on the good sides of some people’s opinions.
Win or lose Steve McNamara has the luxury of come the RLWC of adding NRL based players. What impact does that have on the Super League players form in the remaining weeks of the Competition?
It's a good healthy system that Steve has, as he has some good players based over in the NRL. There can only be 17 people who can play in each game. It's up to Steve but all the English based players can do is play their best and that starts next Friday against the Exiles.
Tickets for the 2013 International Origin Game, England v Exiles at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, are now on sale from the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113 and online at rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk. Tickets can also be purchased from the The Halliwell Jones Stadium Ticket Office.
Leeds Rhinos use Multipower Sportsfood for sports nutrition tailored to your individual needs, visit www.multipower.com.
Interview by: Robert Hughes
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