Wane had no doubt about players
ENGLAND coach Shaun Wane watched his side thrash a dangerous Samoa 60-6 in their opening World Cup match in Newcastle and warned there is more to come.
Wane’s men made a nonsense of the underdogs tag as they ran in 10 tries to one at St James’ Park to claim a victory that potentially enables them to avoid Tonga in the quarter-finals.
“We won’t get carried way, it’s not the English way,” Wane said. “We have to get better and we will.
“I know nobody gave us a chance but we knew what we could do. We enjoyed all that negativity to be honest. Without sounding arrogant or disrespecting Samoa, I’ve got to know these players really well over the last two years and I know what they can do.
“I thought we were very patient, our discipline was good and I was happy with the pressure we put them under but we can improve, without any shadow of doubt.”
Anticipating a decisive battle up front, Wane selected four forwards on his bench and was delighted with the dominant performance from his pack.
“They were 10, 15, 20 kilos a man heavier than us and for us to manage that so well was outstanding,” Wane said. “One thing we do have is big hearts and we don’t back down from anyone. That will bode well for us further in the competition.”
Newcastle Knights winger Dom Young, one of three Nrl-based players who caught the eye on their competitive debuts, justified his selection ahead of England’s all-time record try-scorer Ryan Hall by scoring twice in the first half as the home side made a fast start.
“It was a dream come true,” said Young.