Shaun Wane believes Rugby League World Cup postponement could work in England’s favour
England were due to kick off their campaign against Samoa on 23 October
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Your support makes all the difference.Shaun Wane is hoping the postponement of this year’s World Cup will give England a better chance of lifting the trophy in 12 months’ time.
Wane’s men were due to open their campaign against Samoa at St James’ Park in Newcastle on October 23, but will instead face France in Perpignan as they re-draw their preparations for next autumn.
However, far from seeing the delay due to the coronavirus pandemic as a setback, England’s head coach is determined to use the extra time to hone his side for an even stronger challenge for glory.
Wane said: “To be honest, I am the eternal optimist and the way I look at it, in the big scheme of things as a sport, it’s really disappointing for me and for many other people who had worked hard to get this World Cup on.
“But it’s not to be, the simple fact is it’s not to be and we’ve got another 12 months, so I’m going to use that 12 months to make sure my players are even better prepared for next year’s World Cup. That’s the only stoic way we can look at it.”
Had the World Cup taken place as planned, some of the nation’s emerging stars – the likes of Leeds centre Harry Newman, St Helens stand-off Jack Welsby and Wigan second row Kai Pearce-Paul – might not have made Wane’s squad, but stand a chance of doing so now.
Asked if the postponement has improved England’s chances, Wane said: “Absolutely. We are in good shape.
“The Super League clubs are doing a great job with these players to produce them. We just need to produce more and better players.
“We can’t sit back and pat ourselves on the back. Super League clubs, coaches, scouts, they’ve all done a great job in producing that young talent list, it’s immensely talented.
“But it can’t end. We have to double that. We have work hard and we have to get better staff, better quality, everything has to improve. That’s the mentality we must have.”
Indeed, Wane will use the France game, his first official Test since his appointment in February last year, to run the rule over some of his young hopefuls.
He said: “I’m trying to pick my best team with a view on the World Cup. If I’ve got a choice between a 31-year-old and a 21-year-old, I’m going to go with the 21-year-old in this game if they’re very, very similar because my main focus is to have a really good World Cup next year.”
I'm going to use that 12 months to make sure my players are even better prepared for next year's World Cup
Wane is expecting a tough encounter in France after his own painful introduction to Test rugby on that side of the English Channel.
He said with a smile: “My first carry, I ran into a bloke called Max Chantal and he smashed my nose all over my face. I can’t remember another thing, knee to head and it was one of the worst games I ever played. That was my introduction to Test rugby in France.”
Meanwhile, Wane once again refused to be drawn on speculation that he could return to former club Wigan for the 2022 campaign.
He said: “I’ve not agreed anything with anybody. My one focus is the French game coming up with England. I’ve not said anything definite with anybody from Australia or anybody in Super League.”