Haven's McNally is only non-SL teen on Oz tour

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:08, Friday, 20 June 2008

Whitehaven superkid Gregg McNally is the only teenager from a non-Super League club named in the 22-strong England Under-18 party to tour Australia next month.

Gregg McNally

The scrum-half, 17, will be in illustrious company as all but four of the party are based at the ‘big four’ top-flight outfits.

St Helens boast seven star kids in the squad, Bradford Bulls have six, three come from Wigan and Leeds Rhinos have two. Hull, Huddersfield and Castleford have one each.

England open up against Brisbane Broncos Under-18s on July 23, a week after jetting Down Under. They follow with two Tests against the formidable Australian Schoolboys.

And ex-Haven scholarship boss Gary Hewer, who with Alan Davidson guided McNally to the Recre as a 12-year-old, has no doubt he will be able to cope with the schedule.

“He’s always been a winner,” said Hewer, the current Workington Town No 2. “Gregg’s been riding the crest of a wave for the past month, but he’s worked hard for it for the past six or seven years. Even at 12, he had obvious talent, and with his club Kells, we nurtured that.”

Hewer recalled how McNally was named in the England squad at 15, only to fail to make the final cut. And how he bounced back the following year to lead Whitehaven School to national and European titles.

“When the school played the full French team, Gregg was up against some hostile tactics, including off-the-ball, but he stepped up and showed he could take a knock,” Hewer recalled.

“He’s tough, though obviously he’s got some development ahead of him. Gregg’s also very respectful and a good listener.

“He has a sound base in terms of his parents, and I’m sure he’ll go along way, should he wish to do so.”

England: Matthew Ashurst, Phillip Baines, Andrew Dixon, Gareth Frodsham, Jonathan Lomax, Shaun Magennis, Gary Wheeler (all St Helens); Keale Carlile, Jason Crookes, Steve Crossley, Kieran Hyde, Thomas Olbison, Elliot Whitehead (all Bradford Bulls);

Shaun Ainscough, Ben Davies, Liam Farrell (all Wigan); Paul McShane, Kallum Watkins (both Leeds); Gregg McNally (Haven); Tom Briscoe (Hull); Ben Gledhill (Castleford); Michael Lawrence (Huddersfield).