LAST JOINS WANE’S WORLD ‘The chance came out of the blue, I can’t wait to get going in the role’
Driving to Wakefield for what he had expected to be a job interview, Andy Last had it all planned out in his head what he was going to say to secure a job he coveted. A passionate Englishman with a long-held ambition to help on the coaching staff of his country, the experience of assisting with Scotland had lit a fire which even being passed over for the Great Britain assistant role by Wayne Bennett hadn’t put out.
Last wanted to be involved with England and an opportunity to put forward his case for a job he hadn’t even applied for was his goal.
There will have been some nerves, apprehension perhaps, yet the feeling as he sat down with newly appointed England head coach Shaun Wane was probably one of confusion.
“I’d spoken with Shaun and we arranged a meeting on the outskirts of Wakefield,” explains Last, taking up the story of how his new role as England assistant coach came about.
“When I got there Shaun was having a chat with Chris Chester about how he saw things working with Super League clubs.
“When Chezzie left he came over and shook my hand and congratulated me and said he thought it was a great appointment in getting me on board.
“I had expected to be going for an interview but when I sat down with Shaun he more or less said he wanted me on board. I was a little taken aback by that, I nearly fell off my chair. I was a little numb, it’s an unbelievable opportunity to play a part for my country.
“Shaun asked why I didn’t apply and I had to explain I didn’t see that applications were wanted. I didn’t see a job advert so this was a great surprise to me.”
Last can’t contain his excitement as he discusses his new position, the pride and passion is evident. With Wane the epitome of a proud Englishman, the pair will dovetail well together.
So, if Last didn’t apply for the role, just how did Hull FC’S interim head coach wind up joining Wane’s English revolution?
“It all came out of left field and out of the blue for me,” adds Last.
“I applied for the Great Britain assistant coaching position last year when it was advertised. Ian Watson and Danny Ward got those positions to go on tour with Wayne Bennett and I was told my application wasn’t successful. I wished them good luck and I didn’t think any more of it.
“I got stuck into working with Hull FC and then when we played St Helens at home earlier in the season Radders came to me and asked if Shaun had spoken to me. I said ‘no, why does he want me’ and Radders said he would be giving me a call about the England assistant’s job.
“Radders said he had been asked for a reference about me and he’d given me a really good reference.
“Then after the game when I got home Adam Pearson texted me to say he had been sat in the directors’ box with Shaun Wane and he had wanted a reference as he was considering me for the England job.
“Adam said he thought it would be great for me, great kudos for the club and it would be a great opportunity for me to develop.”
Last, who has been appointed alongside St Helens coach Paul Wellens to Wane’s coaching set-up, has spoken with Wane several times since that meeting, with news of his appointment delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Like Wane, the 38-year-old Hull coach is eager to get started and already has next year’s World Cup on his radar.
“I’ve had a couple of conversations with Shaun and we’ve discussed some ideas about the squad, how we want to play and how we can go about beating the Australians. I’m really hopeful we get to have the series against the Aussies,” explains Last.
“I think it would be a great way to celebrate the end of what will be a really tough year for everyone. To have two teams steeped in such history facing off, it will be a good way to end a tough year.
“We may have a better opportunity to beat the Australians too in that it could be a shortened season and the players won’t have those burnout issues. It’s a great chance to showcase our game ahead of the World Cup next year. I’m really hopeful we can get the series on.
“It’s really exciting to think about the World
Cup too. What strikes you when you speak to Shaun is his passion for the role because he’s a very passionate Englishman. He will bring that pride and passion to the team and I think we’ll play the English way, which is important.
“It’s the pinnacle of the game and to be a part of that is something I have aspired to for a long time. To have that on my CV and be part of your home nation’s World Cup, it makes me very proud.
“Going to the World Cup in 2017 with Scotland working with a great coach in Steve Mccormack has helped me. I learnt a great deal off Steve and his ability to get the best out of that Scotland team.
“I gained a great deal of confidence from coaching at international level with international players and against quality international players, and I felt comfortable in that environment.
“To be able to coach the best players in England at a home World Cup, that’s incredible and I cannot wait for the opportunity to do that.”