Japan lose GP
Wane vows to find a way to test Aussies
SHAUN WANE has vowed to use his Ashes devastation as extra motivation for next year’s World Cup.
This year’s three-match series against Australia was officially cancelled yesterday because of disruption caused by the coronavirus.
It leaves Wane uncertain as to when, or even if, England can now get any matches sorted ahead of next year’s home World Cup.
Australia, by contrast, have rearranged their threegame Origin Series – widely regarded as on a par with international standard – for the end of this year.
But Wane, who took over as England boss in February, insists it doesn’t give the world champions an advantage.
He said: “I will never say I am at a disadvantage to anyone. If we do not get any games we will have camps.
“Me and my staff just have to make them the best quality for the players. I will never ever make excuses.
“I am devastated that the Ashes is off but there are bigger, more important things going on.”
Super League has still not finalised when the season will restart but have ■
come up with three possible finishes – in Nojhvegmdbhesr,ddgescdember or January. gsdfgs Wane dgs said: fdg “The sgdf longer I have with sgd the players, fgs fdg the sdf more dshf satisfied I will be.
An earlier finish means I could get some camps with our players but I will make the best of it whenever it finishes.
“The priority at the minute is getting Super League going.”
Proposals are being considered for England to play one of the home nations or the Exiles – overseas players based in Super League.
Wane said: “If you look at the quality of Exiles players, it would be a great team. It would be a great test.
“But there are a lot of things that could happen. If we play the England Knights I 1 (right) 2 3 7 would be happy because there are certain areas that we would want to concentrate on.
“They would be intense and if we have two games against the Knights we will be in good shape going into the World Cup.”
Former Wigan boss Wane admits he watched ex-warriors star George Williams earn rave reviews in the NRL at the weekend with Canberra Raiders.
But he warned the England half-back: “He did some good things but if he delivered that for me at Wigan I would be into him. He can do a lot better.” 4 5 6
JAPAN will not have a Motogp round for the first time since 1986 after organisers yesterday cancelled the race set for October 18 at Motegi because of the coronavirus.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive of promoters Dorna, said that the championship would focus on doing as many races as possible in Europe until mid-november.
The Japan date is the sixth race on the 2020 calendar to be cancelled.
“Overseas events, if at all possible, should be scheduled after mid-november, which would be too late in the year for the Grand Prix of Japan to be held,” said Ezpeleta.
Motogp is hoping to begin racing in Spain, which usually hosts four rounds of the championship, at the southern Jerez circuit next month.