WARRINGTON Wolves’ England players and their national teammates need to beware the wounded animal in Leeds today.
The precedent was set in the Rugby League World Cup two years ago, when England faced Samoa for the first two times in the sport’s history.
While last Sunday’s 34-18 success for Shaun Wane’s national team against the tourists in the first Test at Wigan was not as comfortable as the 60-6 victory in the opening game of the Covid-delayed 2021RLWC in Newcastle, it was nevertheless convincing.
Two years ago the Samoans, albeit with a mostly different squad and coaching staff, turned that around into a 27-26 semi-final success against England in London, so on paper their task in changing their fortunes this time is not as big a mountain to climb.
The Wire have a quartet of players in the 19-man squad hoping to pull on the England shirt with pride at Headingley, led by skipper George Williams.
Matty Ashton, who crossed for two tries in the first Test, plus back-rowers John Bateman and Ben Currie hope to feature too.
For all the England players, it is one of the last opportunities to show head coach Wane what they are capable of in the Test arena before next year’s end-of-season Ashes series with Australia.
And on that subject, indications are strong that the first Ashes series since 2003 could be played on English soil rather than Australian as first planned.
The Rugby Football League has confirmed that “initial conversations” have taken place with the Australian Rugby League Commission over a series in the UK.
In 2023 it was announced a new series had been scheduled to take place in Australia, but the plans are now set to change, while a tour in 2020 before the 2021 World Cup was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Wane said: “I was brought up on Australia and New Zealand in the 70s and 80s and when it got cancelled I was absolutely devastated.
“So to get this on again and for them to travel here is unbelievable. I’m so excited. I can’t wait for it now.”
When asked about the significance of a first Ashes series since the Kangaroos whitewashed Great Britain 3-0 in 2003, Wane said: “It’s so important.
“I know New Zealand are a good team, they’ve beaten Australia in the last few years, but the NRL and Australian rugby league is the pinnacle.
“They’ve played the best rugby over the last couple of decades and that for me, as a coach, is what I want to pit myself against.
“I’ve never done anything as big as that and that’s why I took this job. For me personally, it would be the pinnacle of my career to have a chance of coaching against them.”
Wane guided England to a 3-0 series win against Tonga last year, followed up by beating Samoa 34-18 last Sunday.
“We need to keep that momentum going with a really good calendar,” Wane said.
“I thought Sunday was fantastic, a good atmosphere and it will be even better at Headingley.
“So if we can keep doing that, get the Ashes next year and then the World Cup (in 2026), I think we’re on a great roll.
“Everybody recognises that a really good, stand-up international calendar is great for our sport.”
Wane was critical of his side’s display last Sunday, which, he said “would not have troubled Australia”, but feels both England and Samoa will improve.
“They’re going to be a lot better, so we need to be a lot smarter,” he said.
““We need to be because Samoa have a smart coaching staff and they’ll see ways they can put us under a bit more pressure.”
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