Widdop, Hastings in halves

The National Sports
Former NRL stars to face Boas, Laybutt

FORMER National Rugby League playmakers Gareth Widdop (Dragons) and Jackson Hastings (Sea Eagles) have been named in the halves for Great Britain’s test against the Kumuls on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).
After scoring only 22 points in their past three loses, Lions head coach Wayne Bennett will want nothing less than a win from his James Graham-led charges in their final fixture of the year.
The 69-year-old has also named Canberra’s NRL grand-final trio of Josh Hodgson (hooker), John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead (backrowers) in his starting side for the Oil National Football Stadium clash.

PNG Kumuls’ Stanford Talita (left), Wartovo Puara Jr, Edwin Ipape and Justin Olam with Ela Murray International School students in Port Moresby yesterday. – Nationalpic by JASON KAVAN

Former Raiders playmaker Blake Austin, who now plies his trade with English Super League outfit Warrington Wolves, starts on the wing with Sydney Rooster Ryan Hall and Wigan back Oliver Gildart nursing injuries.
Former Penrith and North Queensland fullback Lachlan Coote, who is coming off a memorable year after winning the Super League with St Helens, has been left out of Bennett’s 19-man squad.
Meanwhile, the Lions visited Taurama Primary School yesterday to give students tips on rugby league and living healthy. Coote and Austin spoke about the importance of having the right attitude and living healthy.
“I grew up playing soccer but started played rugby league since I was nine years old,” Coote said.
“It is not impossible to be successful but it takes a lot of hard work in training and eating the right food.
“It’s about staying healthy. Keeping your body in shape with the right attitude will see you go a long way.”
Austin said: “All of my family are rugby league-mad people. They motivated me to play and I actually started playing when I was four years old. It’s a great game and I’m enjoying it.
“You just have to be mentally and physically healthy to be successful.”
Lions: 1. Jonny Lomax (St Helens) 2. Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), 3. Jack Hughes (Warrington Wolves), 4. Jake Connor (Hull), 5. Blake Austin (Wolves), 6. Gareth Widdop (Wolves), 7. Jackson Hastings (Salford Red Devils), 8. Chris Hill (Wolves), 9. Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), 10. Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 11. John Bateman (Raiders), 12. Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), 13. James Graham (St George Illawarra Dragons); Interchange – 15. Luke Thompson (St Helens), 17. Alex Walmsley (St Helens), 18. Joe Philbin (Wolves), 19. George Williams (Wigan Warriors).