Jamie Lyon looms as the man most likely to replace Justin Hodges in the Australian World Cup squad, because just about everyone else is unavailable.
After Hodges withdrew from the squad with injury, other centres Matt Cooper, Mark Gasnier, Steve Bell, Jarryd Hayne, and Michael Jennings have all been ruled out, leaving Lyon as the frontrunner to be named in the squad today.
Cooper has a groin injury, Gasnier has left for French rugby union, Bell is leaving for the English Super League, Hayne will play for Fiji and Jennings is playing for Tonga.
Lyon, who starred for premiers Manly this season, disappointed representative selectors by opting out of the State of Origin series this year, but ARL chief executive Geoff Carr says the player is still eligible for national selection.
“Jamie Lyon has never become unavailable,’’ Carr told News Ltd. “Jamie has never made an application (to be exempt). He made it clear through Origin, but through the media.
“For a player to get exemption, he has to apply before the first representative match of a season and give his reasons for the ARL to consider. Jamie has not done that.’’
Hodges’ replacement is expected to be named today.
