Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey has revealed he is considering pledging his international allegiance to England, despite being eligible for both countries.
The 26-year-old has been in career-best form for the Sharks and is firmly in the conversation for representative football.
Brailey is the form hooker of the competition right now.
He leads all hookers with 13 try assists in 2025, has made more dummy-half runs than anyone with 130, and has completed a league-best 997 tackles this season.
MORE: Sharks set to extend Brailey after captaincy call-up
Brailey weighing up heritage decision
Brailey confirmed on SEN that he has “definitely thought about” playing for England, with his mother born in Liverpool.
“It’s something I’ve definitely thought about and I’ve had conversations about,” Brailey said.
“It’s obviously great that I have that side in me.
“My mum is full English, she was born in Liverpool, so I do have a close tie there where I could represent both nations.
“I’d definitely love to one day represent my mum’s side of the family and also my dad’s side, who is Australian.”
Origin dream at risk
Under the current rules, choosing England would mean Brailey is no longer eligible for State of Origin.
Despite that potential setback, he admitted the chance to wear the England jersey for his family heritage remains a strong pull.
“For my name to be around that conversation, it’s obviously a dream come true,” he said.
“Hopefully I can continue my form and the selectors and the coaches see that … if that phone call comes, I’ll be over the moon and I’ll take it with both hands.”
MORE: Five NRL Fantasy players set to explode in Round 26
England yet to make contact
At this stage, Brailey has not spoken to England coach Shaun Wane.
But with an Ashes series looming at the end of the year, the Sharks star could yet join the likes of Victor Radley, AJ Brimson and Billy Smith in committing to England.
Brailey, who made his NRL debut in 2019, is chasing a deep finals run with Cronulla and could soon add an international jersey to a breakout 2025 season.