EAGER Martin Aspinwall has rejected the Giants’ offer to allow him to return to pre-season training two weeks late.
Because the 26-year-old’s season had been extended by his inclusion in England’s World Cup train-on squad, his Super League club were happy for him not to turn up on the first day of training on Monday, November 10.
But with winger Aspinwall missing out on England’s final 24-man squad and then being left out of coach Tony Smith’s national side that thrashed Wales 74-0 in Doncaster 10 days ago, he has made it clear he wants to get back with his Giants teammates straight away.
“Missing out on going to Australia for the World Cup was a bit of a blow,” said Aspinwall.
“But to then miss out on the side to play Wales after I’d trained so hard for the previous month felt just as bad, if not more so.
“I certainly don’t hold it against Tony that he didn’t pick me. After all, it was him who named me in the England train-on squad, even though I missed over half the season with my knee injury.
“But it would still have been nice to have had a bit of a run-out against the Welsh.
“As I said, that was tough to take. But I think it’s made me even more determined to get back with the Giants boys as soon as possible and make sure I get a really good pre-season under my belt.
“Missing out with England this year has made me even more determined not to miss out next year, and the best way to make sure that doesn’t happen is by playing as well as I can for the Giants.
“My knee injury meant I didn’t have a pre-season with the Giants last year, and the year before that I wasn’t able to do pre-season training because of a groin injury.
“I’m sure if I can get a quality couple of months under my belt between now and the start of the season I’ll come back much stronger and can make an immediate impact with the Giants. And I think there’s less chance of that being achieved if I turn up to training two weeks later than my teammates, that’s why I’ve told the club to expect me back on November 10.
“With Nathan Brown coming in as our new coach, I want to make a good early impression on him, and as quickly as possible. To be honest, I don’t want to give the other boys two weeks’ head start on me!”
After coming so close to making the final England squad, he is looking forward to supporting his close international colleagues throughout the World Cup.
And he is confident the side can do well.
“I’ve seen how hard everyone in the England camp has worked, and I know the players are ready to play,” he added.
“I’ve every faith they will go out and give a superb account of themselves.”
Those sentiments have this weekend been echoed by Brian McClennan, who masterminded New Zealand’s shock Tri-Nations victory over Australia in 2005, and believes the defending champions could be vulnerable at the World Cup.
The Leeds Rhinos coach has earmarked Samoa as potential dark horses in the 10-team tournament but also rates England’s chances of springing an upset if they reach the final on November 22.
“I think England have got a good chance,” said McClennan. “When we beat Australia in 2005, we knocked a bit of that invincibility tag off them and also in 2006 we took it to the wire in the final.
“I think they will be the dominant side for a while but winning a World Cup is all about getting your timing right.”
