Henry Paul

[CanadianSteve]

I see that England has named a 43 man squad to train for the WC. It includes players from the England A team that recently beat Canada, the US twice, and Japan on a tour. Henry Paul was on England A but wasn't named to the 43 man squad. Is it time for him to go back to RL, or is he still young enough to shoot for the next WC?

 

[AliN]

Do you think he'd go back to league?
I saw an interview with him last year with him saying how happy he was playing union..
But then againmaybe money will talk.
I'm too lazy to look it up, but he must be around 30 by now?

 

[CanadianSteve]

Earlier this year the ESL team Widnes tried to lure him back to RL, but he turned it down. I wonder if not getting a shot at the WC might change his mind?

 

[GBT]

Yeah, the Vikings tried to lure him back. As Ali say's, I think he's about 30 now.

What did he go for - a chance to play on a bigger international stage?

 

[CanadianSteve]

Here's an article about Henry Paul:

Paul waits for call from his new home
By Phil Wilkins
Friday, July 25, 2003

The World Cup is conjuring up some neat qualification acrobatics, none more fascinating than those by the brilliant New Zealand-born inside back Henry Paul.

Having played 24 rugby league Tests for New Zealand since 1993, the 29-year-old developed World Cup fever and qualified residentially for the England rugby union team. Now with Gloucester, Paul made his debut for England against France last year. He has yet to win a second cap, but performed well on the recent England A tour of North America.

"It's good that England have a pool of about 60 players to choose from rather than just 20 or so," he said in a moment of benevolence to fellow players. Paul was not in England's preliminary World Cup squad, but should anything happen to the Newcastle pair of Jonny Wilkinson and Dave Walder, Clive Woodward would be straight on the phone to the "Tokoroa Kid".

With England's rugby players in their minuscule off-season, who was the man New Zealand wanted as five-eighth for tonight's league Test? Henry Paul.


I'm not sure if the last part is true, but it would've been interesting.

 

[Z]

He holds the record for the most goals ever in Rugby League in a row with 35. Hazem looks to be hot on his heels but....