In yesterday’s game, the focus was quite clearly on the players playing.
For England, it was a case of shedding some light on the team Shaun Wane is likely to play in this year’s World Cup whilst for the Combined Nations there was a story surrounding the halves with two potential England number nines figuring for Ellery Hanley’s side with Daryl Clark and Kruise Leeming both putting their hands up to feature in England’s squad with Leeming especially standing out.
However, their inclusion ensured that Hull KR hooker Matt Parcell didn’t play but despite this Hanley claimed that Parcell was his “man of the match” even though he did not play.
This was because the former Leeds man took the decision that he would not be playing very admirably understanding that Leeming and Clark needed to be given the chance to play in a World Cup.
“I want to mention Matt Parcell,” Hanley said, “I had to have a conversation with him about him being left out. He’s been so professional about being left out.
“When I gave him the news that he wasn’t playing, he didn’t go to his room and sulk. He was brilliant especially in terms of speaking with the other number nines.
“With Daryl Clark and Kruise Leeming, I felt like I had to give them the chance to play in a World Cup. It’s a four-way race. Matt understood that, that Daryl and Kruise had a chance of playing in a World Cup.”
A lovely gesture from Hanley and equally great sportsmanship from Parcell who’ll no doubt get back into the swing of things with Hull KR next week as they take on Huddersfield hoping to further their play-off bid.
