Jake Connor included in Combined Nations All Stars squad

Ellery Hanley has named his first Combined Nations All Stars squad ahead of their mid-season with England later this year.

The All Stars side face Shaun Wane’s England on Saturday, June 18, at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Nine players of Samoan heritage feature in the 29-man squad. Six players from Tonga have also been named.

Hull’s Jake Connor has also been named, having missed out on a space in Wane’s training squad.

Connor, who played in the inaugural All Stars fixture last summer, will once again represent his family’s Trinidadian heritage.

Wakefield winger Tom Johnstone has also been named, representing his German heritage. Wigan full-back Jai Field

Both England and the All Stars will wear Tonga-inspired jerseys for the match to raise funds for the relief fund following January’s devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Ellery Hanley on first Combined Nations All Stars squad

Ellery Hanley said: “I’ve spoken to every one of these players personally because I think that’s the way to do things correctly. I have been overwhelmed and so impressed by the way they have responded.

“It was important for me to talk through the values and qualities I am expecting from them, and the message I got back from them was that they are ready to go – and so proud to have the chance to be involved.

“I also want to make it clear that the door is still open for other players to force their way in between now and June – we know there are going to be injuries, as we have already seen, and hence the reason for naming this large squad, which we will reduce as we get nearer to the match.

“It’s also important for fans and players to recognise the framework we’ve been given to work with, in that no more than six players will be selected for the match from any one Super League club. Some people will raise eyebrows and ask why we haven’t included any of the brilliant St Helens players – for example I’d have loved to include Sione Mata’utia in our squad alongside his brother Peter.

“But we have to recognise that a lot of St Helens players are very important to Shaun Wane’s plans for England this year, so it was more sensible for us to look to other clubs across the Super League.”

Combined Nations All Stars squad

• Jake Connor (Hull FC, Trinidad)
• Kenny Edwards (Castleford Tigers, New Zealand)
• Jai Field (Wigan Warriors, Australia)
• David Fifita (Wakefield Trinity, Tonga)
• Ben Garcia (Catalans Dragons, France)
• Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity, Scotland/Germany)
• Sam Kasiano (Catalans Dragons, Samoa)
• Shaun Kenny-Dowall  (Hull KR, New Zealand)
• Tim Lafai (Salford Red Devils, Samoa)
• Samisoni Langi (Catalans Dragons, Tonga)
• Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants, Samoa)
• Danny Levi (Huddersfield Giants, Samoa)
• Kane Linnett (Hull KR, Scotland)
• Mason Lino (Wakefield Trinity, Samoa)
• Tui Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants, Tonga)
• Joe Lovodua (Hull FC, Fiji)
• Jake Mamo (Castleford Tigers, Australia)
• Rhys Martin (Leeds Rhinos, Papua New Guinea)
• Peter Mata’utia (Warrington Wolves, Samoa)
• Manu Ma’u (Hull FC, Tonga)
• Mitchell Pearce (Catalans Dragons, Australia)
• Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos, Australia)
• Ligi Sao (Hull FC, Samoa)
• Chris Satae (Hull FC, Tonga)
• Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils, Samoa)
• Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity, Tonga)
• Zane Tetevano (Leeds Rhinos, Cook Islands / New Zealand)
• Carlos Tuimavave (Hull FC, Samoa)
• Luke Yates (Huddersfield Giants, Australia)

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