NRL's Austin keeps England option open

Canberra five-eighth Blake Austin isn't ruling out playing for England at the Rugby League World Cup if approached.

Blake Austin of the Raiders

Canberra five-eighth Blake Austin isn't ruling out playing for England at the Rugby League World Cup (AAP)

Canberra star Blake Austin has left the door open to playing for Wayne Bennett's England team, but says no-one has approached him about it.

Reports emerged last week that Bennett had asked the five-eighth, who was born and raised in Sydney's west, to make himself available.

Austin has represented Portugal in the past but is eligible for selection for England ahead of this year's Four Nations tournament in the UK and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

"I do qualify through my grandmother but that's about as far as it's gone," Austin said on Tuesday.

"No-one's asked me (to play) or anything like that yet."

Asked if he would consider playing for England, the 25-year-old said he wasn't sure.

"You cross your bridges when you get to them if they come," he said.

"But at the moment, I'm just focusing on the Raiders and playing better footy each week."

Austin has had limited representative opportunities to date.

He starred for City with three tries in last year's NSW City-Country Origin match, but a knee injury and hamstring problem hurt his chances to play the match this year and chase a State of Origin berth.

Bennett last month dismissed reports he was trying to lure NRL stars to his side, including former NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson and Brett and Josh Morris.

Hodkinson's father is English while the Morris twins - who have both played for Australia - would be eligible thanks to their grandfather.


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Source: AAP


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