A GAMBLE worth taking or a panicky late about-turn?

Either way, England boss Steve McNamara has made a massive decision for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup semi-final showdown with champions New Zealand at Wembley (1pm) – dropping half-back Rangi Chase and bringing Gareth Widdop in from the cold.

New Zealand-born Chase, the 2011 Man of Steel, has started all four matches of England’s campaign, while Melbourne Storm stand-off Widdop – who overcame a dislocated hip to earn his place in the World Cup squad – has made only two brief appearances off the bench, both at the start of the tournament.

Leeds centre or second-rower Carl Ablett is one other addition to the 19 on duty for last week’s quarter-final against France, with Wigan hooker Michael McIlorum the other player to make way.

The axing of Chase represents a major change of heart by McNamara, who has largely kept faith with Salford’s big-money signing since he controversially switched his national allegiance two years ago.

He gave the 27-year-old, then of Castleford, his England debut in 2011 and remained loyal ever since – ignoring the clamour for Huddersfield’s current Man of Steel Danny Brough, formerly of York City Knights, to be included, and pinning hopes of World Cup glory on Chase’s half-back partnership with captain Kevin Sinfield.

The pair have been in tandem throughout the tournament but England have played well only in blitzes, and Chase appears to have paid the price for their least impressive performance, the 34-6 win over France.

Will it prove a McNamara masterstroke or bring to an end his four-year tenure?

McNamara said: “As with every week, the squad is picked with not only the opposition in mind but the best combinations for ourselves.

“We have had a great week with our preparation and the players are ready to take on the world champions in what is the biggest game we have been involved in since the World Cup semi-final in 2008.

“The players are well aware of the improvements we have to make. We will have to be at our best, but we’ll relish the pressure of playing against a quality team on one of the biggest stages in world sport.”

Leeds hooker/half-back Rob Burrow is also in England's 19 but looks set to be on the bench, with Widdop likely to be in the 13. It will be the Halifax-born 24-year-old’s 11th cap but only his third start, the other two having been at full-back.

Favourites Australia meet Fiji in Saturday's other Wembley semi-final (3.30pm).

England: from Ablett (Leeds), G Burgess (South Sydney), S Burgess (South Sydney), Burrow (Leeds), Charnley (Wigan), Cudjoe (Huddersfield), Farrell (Wigan), Ferres (Huddersfield), Graham (Canterbury), Hall (Leeds), Hill (Warrington), Mossop (Wigan), O’Loughlin (Wigan), Roby (St Helens), Sinfield (Leeds), Tomkins (Wigan), Watkins (Leeds), Westwood (Warrington), Widdop (Melbourne).

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