ZAK HARDAKER admits he is contemplating a change of role before Castleford go for Grand Final glory.
And if he does, he is ready to take on the world.
The Tigers star has been a wow at full-back this year and is one of three contenders for the Steve Prescott Man of Steel honour, which will be given out tonight.
But whether he gets the number one jersey for England at the World Cup is a bigger debate.
League legend Garry Schofield would have Hardaker as the first name on the teamsheet but national boss Wayne Bennett, who is based in Australia, may shift him to centre.
The 25-year-old played that role, which he occupied earlier in his career, in May’s Test win over Samoa and he is ready to do it again.
Hardaker said: “I’ll play anywhere. It would be for my country so I’ll play anywhere.
“The most crucial thing, though, is that I want to play for England again.
“I tried to get an inkling about whether I’d be picked in the squad a couple of weeks ago and who I spoke to said they haven’t got a clue.
“But I know Wayne’s watching every game, that’s the main thing so I’ll just have to see how it goes.”
Hardaker has achieved several of his aims this year, not least getting back into the England reckoning which was one of his main goal after leaving Leeds, who he faces in Saturday’s Grand Final.
But even though he could walk away with rugby league’s biggest individual honour, he still has doubts over whether he will be in the 24-man party which is named on Monday.
If he is not, then he will be baffled as to why.
Hardaker added: “If you’d asked me a couple of weeks ago if I was preparing for a flight to Australia, I’d have said, ‘No, I’m still not sure.’
“I just don’t know how Wayne’s mind works but to get in the Dream Team and be nominated on the Man of Steel shortlist, I can’t do much more.
“If he doesn’t pick me this time, then I don’t know what to do.”
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