Opportunity for England to test themselves against Exiles appeals to head coach Wane
ENGLAND HEAD coach Shaun Wane says the Exiles could be as “good as any Test team” as he looks for potential new opponents following the cancellation of the Ashes.
It was confirmed yesterday that the three Test home series against Australia – scheduled for October and November – is officially off due to the knock-on effects of the coronavirus.
That has not only caused a “considerable impact” on the Rugby Football League’s finances but also created issues for new coach Wane who, as it stands, has no fixtures planned before England host the 2021 World Cup next autumn.
Nevertheless, he still hopes to play a game this year and Wales have already offered to stand in for world champions Australia but resurrecting the Exiles is also a possibility.
The representative side made up of overseas players operating in Super League ran from 2011 to 2013 and they twice beat England in their four encounters.
Given the likes of world dualcode stars such as Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Folau would currently be available as well as players of the calibre of Tonga’s Konrad Hurrell and New South Wales State of Origin half James Maloney, you can understand the attraction.
Believes games against an Exiles team would offer England the perfect examination.
Wane conceded he was “devastated” the first Kangaroos Ashes tour in 17 years was off but, looking forward, admitted: “If you look at the quality of those players over here, it’s a great (Exiles) team.
“The other day I was in the garden and I picked an Exiles side of players I’d seen in Super League. It was a very strong team.
“It was as good as any Test team. So it would be great for the fans over here to watch a game like that of that standard and it would be a great test for us.
“But I know there’s a lot of things could happen, so it’s not certain of being on. If there’s a chance I know Ralph (Rimmer) has always been very supportive of me and helped me in every way he can, and I know he’ll do his best in the same way.”
Wane added: “I’d like to have a mid-season Test in 2021 if possible. I am in regular conversations with Ralph.
“Whatever this season looks like, if there was something we could put in at the end, whether it be a camp, England Knights, some sort of a Test match against somebody towards the end of this year, that would be great.
“I know that’s going to be a big call. Super League comes first, I understand that. We need to get our games on.
“But I was aware there was a chance of the Ashes being cancelled. I’ve been putting things into place for how we can fix things.”
Continued complications surrounding global travel and the need to extend the domestic season in both hemispheres were reasons given for the decision by the RFL and the Australia Rugby League Commission to cancel the Ashes which included a second Test at Leeds United’s Elland Road on November 7.
Admittedly, the NRL did resume playing at the weekend but Super League is not expected to start again until mid-August.
An Ashes tour could take place in 2022 and Rimmer said: “We have already indicated to the ARLC that we would be keen to welcome them for a three-Test series at any time in the future.
“We will now work together to make this happen as soon as possible.”