All Gold Spedding?

After Andrew Johns pulled out following premature retirement, Darren Lockyer was the man identified as the Dally Messenger character for the New Zealand v Northern Union centenary celebration game at Warrington in the autumn. Now Darren Lockyer is ruled out following a cruciate knee ligament injury which has curtailed his season. The NZRL are now scouring the leagues for a suitable replacement. Johnathan Thurston is the early favourite, but there's been a rapid shortening of the odds on Richie Spedding getting the call.
Speaking exclusively to this website, Spedding said "It would of course be an honour to reprise the role played by Dally Messenger. Even to be mentioned in those terms is humbling", but he failed to say whether he would or would not accept the invitation were it to be extended. "The NZRL will have their opinions and I'm sure they'll invite someone of appropriate standing in the game soon", he said, coyly, though Wayne Bennett who will be taking charge of the 'All Golds' is a known fan of the undoubted superstar of the modern generation.
The only problem could be if the new Prime Minister calls an early election for October, as predicted by the Conservatives, where Spedding is rumoured to be lauching a bid for Parliament.