England head coach Shaun Wane has been waiting five years for a “smash-up” with Australia and is relishing the role of underdogs ahead of the first of three long-awaited Ashes Tests at Wembley on Saturday.
Wane took the England role in February 2020 but a mooted series later that year was abandoned due to the Covid pandemic and the 61-year-old has been counting down the days to get another crack at the Kangaroos.
Speaking at the series launch event in London on Tuesday, Wane said: “I took the job in 2020 and this was the first thing I saw, the Ashes series.
“Obviously that got cancelled and I was absolutely wounded. The chance to play against the best team in the world in an iconic stadium like this, it’s got the makings of a fantastic day.”
Australia have named their matchday squad which includes four debutants, but while Wane has also settled on his line-up, he insists he will not name it until Thursday lunchtime.
Chief among the questions are whether Mikey Lewis or Harry Smith will partner George Williams in the half-back positions, and if Lewis’ team-mate Jez Litten has done enough to earn the number nine shirt over St Helens hooker Daryl Clark.
Either way Wane believes he has a squad at his disposal that can build on series wins over Samoa and Tonga in the last two seasons and pull off a huge upset against the Australians in the first meeting between the two nations for 22 years.
“Nobody gave us a chance against Samoa and Tonga, which is good,” added Wane. “It does give us added motivation. It would be good to stick it to the doubters. I’m not on social media but I know a lot of stuff has been said.
“It feels like a club the way we’re training. It feels like a Super League team. That’s hard to get that club feeling in the international set-up.
“They’re going to be physical with us and we’ll be physical with them. It’s going to be a smash-up and the best team will come out in the end. I hope it’s us.”
Reece Walsh has won the battle to be named as Australia’s starting full-back after a stellar display for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL Grand Final against Melbourne Storm earlier this month.
Walsh, who will replace Dylan Edwards, is one of three starting debutants along with Gehamat Shibasaki, who scored two tries for the Broncos in the final, and Sydney Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase. Keaon Koloamatangi will start on the bench.
Australia head coach Kevin Walters said: “It’s going to be huge thrill for all four of them to wear the green and gold for the first time in a Test match at such an iconic stadium.
“I’m excited for them as well as all of our players. Every member of our squad, whether they take the field or not, is about to experience something incredibly special this Saturday at Wembley.”
Australia team: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Isaah Yeo (captain)
Interchanges: 14. Tom Dearden, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Keaon Koloamatangi
Kevin Pietersen reveals trick he used to prepare for Mitchell Johnson speed in Ashes
Chris Woakes sounds Ben Stokes warning over Ashes bowling
Chris Woakes: England must keep Mark Wood and Jofra Archer fit to win Ashes
Toulouse and York given final Super League places as London Broncos snubbed
Bradford Bulls to make long-awaited return to Super League as club gradings revealed
R360 dealt fresh blow as NRL threatens rebel players with 10-year ban
