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Long, Sean |
  Sean LONG [Player Stats] + Submit additional information or a correction to this player 
Long stands down from International duty Tue April 17, 2007 by Matthew O'Neill St Helens and Great Britain halfback Sean Long has decided to stand down from all International matches to focus on club duties for his club side. Long has had an interesting and controversial time at the International level where in the end he wasn't able to consistently fulfil his full potential on the big stage. The St Helens halfback was one of the most talked about figures in the Tri Nations last year. He was sensational in the Lions upset 23-12 victory against Australia in Sydney despite copping a late shot from Australian forward Willie Mason and than mysteriously withdrew from the Great Britain side on the eve of the return match in Brisbane. In between those two clashes Long had a disappointing Test match against New Zealand where the Lions went down 24-4. Long said, "I've made my mind up and just want to do my best for St Helens now. I've got to listen to my body. "If I can have a couple of full pre-seasons from now on, then I might get another season or two out of myself at the end of my career. "There are too many games in a year for someone to keep playing internationals and expect to be right for the following Super League season." Great Britain will play a one-off Test against France in June before hosting the centenary Test series against New Zealand after the Super League Grand Final. Bradford's Paul Deacon and Hull FC's Richard Horne are favourites for the halfback position. However, if the Lions are looking for a halves combination that hasn't yet been scarred at Test level and searching for two confident players than they could do no worse than select Wakefield's Jamie Rooney and Warrington's Lee Briers in the 6 and 7 shirts respectively. Briers has performed brilliantly in the big matches in his limited appearances and has done outstanding for the Wovles. Rooney is pretty much a one-man band at the Wildcats and deserves his opportunity. Long leaves for 'personal reasons' says Great Britain Tue November 14, 2006 by Matthew O'Neill The departure of Sean Long from the Great Britain squad has created plenty of furores, controversy, speculation and rumours as to the real reason why he is now on a plane home to England. Great Britain team management last night released a statement, personal reasons for Long's departure. The statement said: "Sean Long has left the Great Britain training camp based in Manly, Australia, and has returned home to the UK for personal reasons. He will no longer be a part of the Great Britain Rugby League squad for the remainder of the Gillette Tri-Nations tournament. Long took a flight from Sydney airport late this (Monday) afternoon, Australian time. No replacement player will be called up and the squad will now continue preparations for the match against Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane this Saturday." Speculation has been rife as to why Long is no longer a part of the Tri Nations tournament as Great Britain face one of their most important matches in years when they take on Australia at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium this Saturday night. Already there have been four different reasons for Long's departure with Great Britain officials keen to pour cold water on the speculation as they attempt to stay focused on qualifying for the Final next weekend. The initial reports that came through were that Long was caught gambling on Tri Nations matches and Long has already been suspended in the past for betting against his club side St Helens when they were depleted of players for a Super League match in 2004. Other reports suggest that Long was highly intoxicated following the Lions loss to New Zealand at Wellington and he's also unhappy with coach Brian Noble for some of his selection policies including choosing Bradford hooker Terry Newton ahead of the more dynamic James Roby. However, the official reports say that Long has gone home to be with his pregnant wife Claire who is expecting their second child in the coming weeks. Whatever the reasons for Long's departure it has added more mystery, controversy and intrigue to what has been an excellent Tri Nations tournament. It's been unfortunate that the likes of Long, Nathan Fien, David Kidwell, Stuart Fielden and of course Willie Mason have provided much of the publicity and marketing as the ARL, NRL and RLIF haven't done a single thing between them to promote the tournament.
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