SHAUN Wane knows England have what it takes to topple Australia – he learned that in companies’ offices and as players had a coffee together.
The national boss hopes to mastermind victory in the first Ashes series in 22 years, one that has injected new enthusiasm into rugby league.
Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and Leeds’ Headingley have long been sold out, while a crowd of 60,000-65,000 is expected at Wembley for Saturday’s first Test.
Wane’s 24-man squad is ready, the man guiding a star-studded party definitely is, and lessons picked up along the way – whether it be from meetings or speaking to businesses – have moulded him into the man who hopes to conquer the Kangaroos.
“Speaking to businesses and causes helps,” the coach said. “I listen a lot.
“I go into lots of organisations and if there’s anything I can pick up that can help me coach these players better, then I’ll use it. I’m not an arrogant person. Every day is a learning day.
“If I can learn something from anybody that’s going to help us moving forward, I don’t care where it comes from, as long as it helps us win at Wembley.
“And when we had off-feet sessions, players had been in with their club all day, then they got with England and it was very, very intense.
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“I wanted answers about a few things. They needed to speak their mind about how we can beat Australia and I learned a lot from how they behaved in them.
“I want humble people. I want people who are not happy with their game, no matter who you’re talking about.
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“I want Mikey Lewis, whose form is good., to have nothing but things he feels he needs to work on. That’s the mentality I want and that’s what I’ve got in these 24 players.
“I’ve done my homework. I don’t take that many risks. I know these 24 will all get on. They’ll care about one thing, and that’s the England cause. And that’s going to be a massive strength for us.”
Wane’s squad certainly has the talent. If Herbie Farnworth was Australian, he would be in theirs after starring for NRL side Dolphins.
AJ Brimson may sound like a fair dinkum Aussie, but his family roots lie in Surrey – and they will be at Wembley.
Kai Pearce-Paul, Dom Young, John Bateman and Morgan Smithies have all starred Down Under, while Super League’s best can combine to create something very special.
Jake Connor may be Steve Prescott Man of Steel for 2025, but he did not make the cut. Nor did Wigan’s back-row star Junior Nsemba.
Nor did Hull KR’s treble-winning skipper Elliot Minchella and forward star Dean Hadley, along with Warriors pair Luke Thompson and Brad O’Neill.
But Wane is in no doubt the best of the best can take the sport to new levels, by downing Kevin Walters’ side, with the help of a series of guest speakers lined up to speak to the camp.
He added: “Beating Australia would be the best thing. I’ve won the World Club Challenge, when Wigan beat Cronulla, and that was special.
“I’ve won Test series against Tonga and Samoa, and that was very, very special – but this would be the best.
“This would be the best for me and I know it would be the best for the players. That’s why I’m so desperate that we get to feel that way.
“All I’ve done from being five-years-old is just watch lots of rugby league – Great Britain and England games have always been special.
“But I’ve just seen Australia come over here and dominate for a long time.
“We’ve not won many Tests against them, not series but games. That’s why it’s so emotional for me to make sure that that has to stop.
“And that’s why I’m so obsessed about making sure we’re prepared when we get to Wembley.”
