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BRISBANE - Having no regrets over his shock Tri Nations walkout, rugby league halfback Sean Long has all but ruled out playing for Great Britain again.
Initially keen to keep playing for the Lions in the UK, the 31-year-old has changed his tune as he counts down the start of what could be his final season with English Super League club St Helens.
Long has already vowed not to tour again, ruling him out of the 2008 World Cup in Australia.
But today the Saints playmaker admitted it was unlikely he would make himself available for Britain's home series against New Zealand later this year.
"I'll see how we go this year and see how my body feels," he told The Daily Mail newspaper.
"I'm 30 now and maybe it's in my best interests to prolong my career if I don't play -- I'll just have to see how I feel."
Long caused a stir when he left the 2006 Tri Nations tournament before a group match against Australia and flew home to England for "personal reasons".
He said at the time he was exhausted after a long season with Saints and wanted to be with his pregnant wife who has since given birth to a daughter.
Long today said there were "no regrets at all".
"The people I have spoken to have all understood the kind of season we had," he said.
"It was a hectic schedule and they understood. Some people have been putting bad stuff in the papers but the people I have spoken to have been alright."
Long -- off contract at the end of 2007 -- also confirmed he wanted an extension at Saints, all but ruling out his goal of playing in the NRL.
He said the matter was in club chairman Eamonn McManus' hands.
"He will contact me when he wants to discuss it," he said.
"Going to Australia is always a possibility with my contract being up at the end of the year.
"But I'm enjoying my rugby league at the moment so why change something that is not broken."
St Helens begin their 2007 countdown with a pre-season friendly against Leigh on Saturday -- a match that will mark former Newcastle Knight Matt Gidley's Saints debut.
- AAP