Rugby League: Sean Long, the forgotten man of the Lincoln Test series against New Zealand, has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Great Britain coach Andy Goodway.

After losing out to Wigan's Tony Smith for the scrum half berth in the first Test, Long was dropped from the squad when the loss of Adrian Morley through injury prompted Good-way to bring in an extra forward.

The St Helens half-back played no part in the second Test either but, after successive defeats allowed the Kiwis to clinch the series, he is hoping for a call for Saturday's face-saver at Watford.

"There's been a few injuries from the second Test," said Long, who made his international debut in last year's Super League series against Australia, "and I'm always there if Andy Goodway needs me.

"It's been a bit frustrating not being out there when you hear the national anthem. You want to be a part of it, but Andy's picked his team and, unfortunately, I haven't been in it.

"But if he gives me the chance, I'll do my best. I was itching to be on the field to show him that I can do it. I had a little taste of it last year, but that was on the wing. Six or seven would be something else."

With Iestyn Harris still nursing a groin injury picked up in Saturday's 36-16 mauling at the Reebok Stadium, Long could find himself in the No 6 role.

"Everyone presumes I'm a scrum half, but I've only played six months at scrum half at St Helens. I'm originally a stand-off," he said.

The former Wigan and Widnes Academy international was one of the form players of the season having stepped into the boots of former Saints favourite Bobbie Goulding.

He amassed 228 points in 1998, with only Harris (Leeds) and Andrew Farrell (Wigan) ahead of him.

"I've been happy with my form," he said. "Playing with a player like Tommy Martyn at six has helped. We got to know each other and he was unfortunate not to make the squad.

"There have been a few good scrum halves this year. Gavin Clinch has been the form No 7 and Tony Smith played well at Wigan. Shaun Edwards, even though he is getting on, has had a good season. I was glad to be number two for Great Britain and happy to be in the squad.

"I was in the 18 for the first Test, but a forward got injured and so Terry O'Connor was brought in, and I thought he did a great job.."

As one of just three players from the 23-strong squad yet to figure - Mike Forshaw (Bulls) and Terry Newton (Leeds) are the others - Long has endured a painful fortnight.

"I'm not a good watcher," he said. "When I did my knee and was out for 18 months, I couldn't watch the game then. I'd sooner be out there with the lads because I know how they feel.

"It's easy to say from the stand what they should have done and what they shouldn't have done."

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