Zak Hardaker keeping his focus on domestic honours with Leeds
Tuesday 8 September 2015 17:33, UK
Zak Hardaker believes success with Leeds Rhinos this season can only enhance his chances of further England honours.
Hardaker made his England debut three years ago and won the 2012 Super League Young Player of the Year award.
The Leeds full-back has claimed the Super League's player of the month award for August with two tries and three assists but he knows the pressure is mounting as the season reaches its climax.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "It's been a great month and we have had some great victories most memorably at Wembley against Hull KR in the Challenge Cup final in front of a big crowd; that's got to be my highlight of the month."
Sam Tomkins is the current first-choice England full-back but he has been struggling for form as his his two-year sojourn in New Zealand comes to a close. But Hardaker knows he has to take care of his own game first before he can think about international honours.
He said: "I know it's been a difficult season for Sam who is playing in a tough league down there. All I have to do is concentrate on myself and my own performances for Leeds. If I can help us reach the Grand Final then that will boost my chances of an England place.
"We've got a lot of belief and set a lot of goals early in the season and most of those have come off. We won the Challenge Cup and are sitting top at the moment. We've got three games left in the Super 8s and if we win two of those that means we are league leaders.
"That gives us a home tie in the semi-finals and hopefully we can do that. We have a tough fixture against Catalans Dragons on Saturday but all the lads are confident of getting the job done."
