Rugby League: Hanley's charges aim to please

CANDIDATES for Great Britain's side for the first John Smith's Test against Australia have their last chance to impress tomorrow, writes Dave Hadfield.

With the pared-down 19-man squad, including captain and vice- captain, to be named on Monday, players from Warrington and Bradford have already had their final opportunity to catch the eye, and Wigan's regiment get theirs today.

But no players are in a better position to make an impact than those from St Helens when they turn out against Leeds tomorrow afternoon. With Ellery Hanley, the Leeds captain and Great Britain coach, sidelined by a thigh injury, he will be able to run an eye over the form of Bobby Goulding, Alan Hunte and Chris Joynt.

Hanley has already singled out Joynt as one of the young players whose ability has persuaded him against attempting a Test comeback and he will figure in the squad.

Hunte leads the try-scoring charts with 13 this season, while Goulding has been in magnificent form and demands inclusion in some capacity; possibly, in what would be an imaginative but entirely logical move, at hooker.

Sonny Nickle misses his chance because of a three-match suspension for a high tackle. .

Jonathan Griffiths plays his first game of the season, but there is no place for Andy Dannall, transfer- listed after showing dissent when substituted at Oldham.

Closer to home, Hanley can take a detached look at his Leeds team- mates, Alan Tait and Garry Schofield, if not the injured Harvey Howard.