Canberra Raiders hooker Jayden Brailey has extra motivation to secure a place in England's World Cup squad: the memory of his grandmother, Sandy Turner, who passed away late last year. Brailey's mother, Carla, and Sandy were both born in England, making his recent selection in England's 38-man squad particularly meaningful.
Family roots drive international ambition
Brailey runs onto the field with an English flag around his neck during the NRL's multicultural round, a tribute to his heritage. After one such game, he received a text message from his nan expressing how much it meant to her. Now, representing England at the World Cup would be a dream come true, honouring both his mother and his late grandmother.
Brailey will continue to press his case for a World Cup berth when the Raiders face the Melbourne Storm today in Melbourne. The match is a key opportunity for the hooker to impress England selectors.
Emotional connection to England
According to Brailey, the death of his grandmother is not the only reason he wants to play for England, but it is a significant one. His mother Carla's English roots also play a major role in his desire to don the national jersey. The NRL star has spoken about the pride he feels in representing his family's heritage.
Brailey's journey to the World Cup squad began with his inclusion in England's 38-man squad last week, a moment he described as extra special given his family background. He hopes to remain in contention for the final squad when the tournament begins.
