WE DON’T GIVE A RIG

Wane laughs at ‘fix’ claim over England’s schedule

ENGLAND boss Shaun Wane hit back at suggestions the World Cup’s schedule has been worked in their favour, insisting: “I never thought I’d hear that!”

Wane’s side face Samoa in the semifinal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Champions Australia, who have won eight of the last nine tournaments, meet the No.1-ranked New Zealand in the other semi-final tomorrow night at Elland Road.

But there have been mutterings from some quarters about how the tournament’s been structured by Rugby League World Cup 2021 organisers.

Wane said: “I’ve never, ever heard that before – and I never thought I would hear that. I just don’t see where that would come from.

“The Aussies are playing Friday and we’re on Saturday. They’ll have 24 hours in a steam room, so they are relaxed. They’ve got another 24 hours on us.

“The World Cup has done a great job in organising what they have done.”

England demolished Samoa 60-6 in their opening group game on the first day of the tournament.

But their rivals were massively undercooked, having only had a couple of training sessions beforehand, and will put up more of a challenge this time.

Samoa have won every game since that defeat, producing a stunning victory over No.2-ranked Tonga in Sunday’s quarterfinal. Wane, who has brought prop Luke Thompson back in to his side, insists they will not be complacent. “They’re not that sort of group,” he said.

“We never mentioned the first game. Everything’s been about Samoa and Tonga. They played really well. We’ve not even referenced it.”

Samoa captain Junior Paulo had his one-match ban for striking Tonga’s David Fifita overturned on Tuesday night.

But Wane was not fussed about the prop getting off, either.

He said: “I’m glad he’s in the team. He’s a good player. He’ll make it to the competition on Saturday. We’ll challenge him.”

Somebody who can do that is Canterbury prop Thompson, selected at the expense of St Helens’ Matty Lees, after being a shock exclusion from the quarterfinal win over Papua New Guinea. RL: ENGLAND v SAMOA