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Lyon to make rep exile a formality
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/26/2502264.htm?section=sport
Manly centre Jamie Lyon has confirmed he will formally apply for exemption from representative football upon his return home from the United Kingdom.
Lyon, 27, caused a storm last year when it was revealed he had informally told New South Wales coach Craig Bellamy that he did not want to play for the Blues and was duly overlooked.
Lyon also played no part in last year's World Cup.
Lyon, who has played six Tests, heads into this Monday's (AEDT) World Club Challenge officially available for Country, NSW and Australia in 2009 but said: "I feel like I'd rather leave that to someone else and concentrate on club footy.
"I think the reason there was bit of drama before was because I hadn't written a letter. So I'll sit down with Dessy (Hasler) and figure out what to do.
"We'll do it sometime early in the season."
Lyon has indicated his desire to end his career in Britain.
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr did not want to speculate on what his board might rule, but said that Lyon did appear to have a good case for exemption.
"He was playing for Australia when he was still very, very young, so on the surface of it he would qualify," he said.
"But he has to request that in writing and we haven't received anything yet."
The Eagles had Wednesday off with some players visiting historic York, while most remained at the Leeds Marriott base.
Coach Hasler has scheduled two training runs for Thursday.
Both sides are due to be named with Matt Diskin to deputise for the injured Danny Buderus, while much speculation surrounds the availability of England half Rob Burrow (back).
The Rhinos have been training behind closed doors while Manly held an open session.
Sea Eagles captain Matt Orford - on his first visit to the UK after a run of outs with representative selectors - said he was looking forward to playing against Burrow.
"He's light but so am I," Orford said. "He's a smart half. He's very crafty. He's got a great kicking game.
"It doesn't matter what size you are, you can still read the game and still obviously control things in the middle there.
"He's been there for a while and he does that well for them."
Lyon, meanwhile, said 34 second half points against Harlequins last week - and just six against - was not a strong enough performance to guarantee victory this week.
"We've got to improve on that," he said. "There was a bit of razzle dazzle and some good tries, but I don't think it will be as open as that against Leeds.
"It will be a lot tighter, a lot tougher, a bit of an arm-wrestle. That's what we'll be training for."
-AAP
