Brodie Croft is “stoked” Salford team-mate Kallum Watkins has another England chance - but just wishes he didn’t have to face him.
Australian half-back Croft plays for the Combined Nations All Stars as they tackle Shaun Wane’s side at Warrington on Saturday. And Watkins, 31, lines up at centre FIVE years after his last England appearance in the 2017 World Cup final. He’s overcome a number of serious injuries to flourish with Salford this term where he’s converted to second-row.
Croft, who joined from Brisbane Broncos in the off-season, said: “Kal’s been playing on my edge and I’ve enjoyed every minute since he’s been back. He’s a special player. He can make me look better than what I am at times with how strong he can carry.
“When I first came here he was still coming back from his ACL injury, doing all the rehab, so I'm stoked he’s got this opportunity to play for England again. But I’m not looking forward to facing him. I wish he was on our team.”
Ex-Melbourne Storm half Croft, 24, added: “I was fortunate to play for the Australian Junior Kangaroos.
“We’d people like Kalyn Pongia, David Fifita and Zac Lomax. It’s good to be part of another rep’ team now. I was really pumped to get the call from Ellery (Hanley) to play for the Combined Nations. He’s really optimistic and positive about what we can do this week and the team we've brought together. I'm looking forward to playing in it and playing with a lot of these guys who are really special players."
He will link up with Wakefield captain and fellow Australian Jacob Miller in a half-back partnership Hanley hopes will be unable to break down England for a second year running. Croft, whose Salford team-mate Ken Sio lines up on the wing for the All Stars, conceded: "It was pretty rowdy when we all arrived on Tuesday!
"The boys were getting around each other and probably the biggest thing was meeting each other. There’s plenty I’d not met before. Obviously we’ve played everybody now in Super League at this stage of the season but there’s a difference between playing against them on the field and being in each other’s team. I’m looking forward to that on Saturday."
