Hadley was selected on Brian McDermott’s first England squad last month
Dean Hadley of Hull Kingston Rovers applauds the fans(Image: SW Pix)
Being selected to represent England at the Rugby League World Cup would mean the world to Dean Hadley, but he knows he must end the season well with Hull KR in order to get the chance.
After being overlooked by Shaun Wane over the last couple of years, Hadley was named in Brian McDermott’s preliminary England squad last month.
That squad isn’t final with the national team head coach set to make changes to it at the end of the season, but it provides Hadley with confirmation that he is in McDermott’s plans and the Gold Coast Titans assistant will be watching his performances closely from now until the end of the season.
As such, while he will have been keen to end the season well anyway, the Rovers forward now has a little extra motivation to catch the eye over the final months by helping KR reach the play-offs and the Grand Final the only thing on his mind at present.
“It meant a lot,” Hadley said on the call-up. “It’s really special.
“Obviously it’s a big squad and that might change at the end of the season but to be included, I suppose it’s recognition that I’m doing the right things and it’s a thing to say that I’ve been consistent over the last few years.
“That gives me even more drive to make sure I finish the season really well, give everything and look to improve. I’ve still got loads of improvement in me and it’s about being consistent week in, week out and hopefully I can do enough.
“It would mean everything, it’s not something I’ve been able to do up to now but the opportunity to play for England at a World Cup, it doesn’t get much bigger, it would be a dream. That’s something that I’m going after but my first thought is here at Hull KR and I need to be playing well at Hull KR week in, week out.
“There’s strong competition in the forwards over here and in Australia so I know I need to be at the top of my game and that’s my focus really. What will be at the end of the season and hopefully I’ve done enough. What I can control is what I do.
“For me my focus is here at Hull KR and we can achieve something special. If we do that and I do that personally then things come off the back of that. If I do that to the best of my ability and keep improving, hopefully that will be enough come the end of the season.”