There aren’t many sporting scenarios where you audition against your own national team, but Kruise Leeming passed his England trial with flying colours earlier this year.
The Leeds hooker - born in what was Swaziland but raised in Halifax - impressed for the Combined Nations All Stars as they beat Shaun Wane’s side 26-24 in June. Now Leeming is in line for his England debut in France on Saturday, and is a big believer in the mid-season clash despite the unusual scenario it presented him with.
“It was good for me,” Leeming explained. “It helped my season as well, it gave me a bit of confidence that I needed, it pushed me forward.
“It was always in my mind to play that game in front of the eyes of Shaun Wane and the selectors, and to put myself in the shop window for the end of the year.
“The different cultures we had in that camp - it was a lot more laid back and relaxed, whereas this one is a little bit more intense. Waney wants us to be squeaky clean in everything which is good. Both experiences have been fantastic.
“That's what makes our sport good, and that kind of competition should have been happening throughout the years. It was good to watch and something a little bit different from Super League. It was a little bit harsh on the body but I really enjoyed the experience.”
Leeming spent the end of the season at Leeds in the unfamiliar role of scrum-half and feels it has benefitted his all round development. He said: “You see the game from a different position - what you want from a hooker playing half, and vice versa.
“There’s certain things I’ve learned from playing half that’s made my hooking game improve. I’ve enjoyed the experience - at first I was a little bit sceptical, I didn’t like it and it was a bit uncomfortable for me.
“But I wouldn’t say it’s done me any harm. To work with (Rhinos assistant) Sean Long, one of the best halves in the world, and to get little tips from him was great.”
Wane will on Wednesday name his captain for Saturday’s clash, with current incumbent Sam Tomkins unavailable through a knee injury. Wigan back rower John Bateman and St Helens stand-off Jonny Lomax are seen as the key contenders.
Bateman said: “He (Wane) hasn’t said anything yet - he likes to keep his cards close to his chest. As long as I'm playing, I'm not too fussed.
“If he said it, though, 100 percent I'd be buzzing. You dream about it but you don't think it's going to come true - it would be alright for a lad from Bradford, wouldn't it?”
