England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

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josie andrews
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England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by josie andrews »

There's uncertainty surrounding England's future plans as the status of their Autumn plans, and their coach, remain unclear.

New Zealand will not be taking on England next Autumn, Rugby League Live understands. The Rugby Football League, who are determined to host a Test series in England later this year, had hoped the Kiwis would act as opposition for the national team next Autumn.

However, it's understood that Michael Maguire's side will not be taking up the opportunity to tour in what has gone down as a blow to the RFL's plans ahead of the 2025 World Cup. It had appeared that there was genuine hope a series between two of the sport's powerhouses could have taken place.

The governing body is keen to host Tests both this year and next to provide game competition before the next World Cup in France and despite the setback, they have now set their sights on alternative opponents. However, it's understood that Australia will not be making the trip from down under either.

It means organisers are likely to turn their attention to one of the Pacific Islands, with World Cup Finalists Samoa and Kristian Woolf's Tonga the two obvious candidates. However, they would both require NRL approval given the raft of players they would want to bring across to the UK after the season has finished.

There is a sense of frustration that plans have yet to be finalised, with the World Cup concluding almost two months ago. A review of Shaun Wane's position as England head coach is also ongoing with his future still unclear.

When contacted by Rugby League Live, an RFL spokesperson said: "We are continuing to work on it, we are still hopeful of hosting a home series and hopeful of making an announcement in the near future."

England's last Test series was in 2018, when they overcame New Zealand under Wayne Bennett. A year later, Great Britain went on a disastrous tour of the Southern Hemisphere which cost Wayne Bennett his job. England were due to play Australia in 2020, only for Covid-19 to see those plans abandoned.

Instead, England played just four times between Wane's appointment at the start of 2020 and the World Cup, taking on the Combined Natons All Stars twice as well as fixtures against France and Fiji. They will return to the field in April when they face France in Warrington, though who will coach them is currently unknown.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... dium=email
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fozzieskem
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by fozzieskem »

It’s no surprise I feel,once the World Cup was done and dusted the NRL once again rules the roost sad;y
josie andrews
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by josie andrews »

fozzieskem wrote: Thu Jan 05, 2023 11:32 pm It’s no surprise I feel,once the World Cup was done and dusted the NRL once again rules the roost sad;y
Yes, the be all & end all of Rugby League.

Michel Maguire wanted NZ to play England in a test series at the end of the season. Seems like he has been overruled by the NRL!
Michael Maguire has thrown New Zealand's name in the hat to act as opposition for England in 2023. The RFL is currently working on plans for a Test series next year and the Kiwis boss is keen to see his side take on Shaun Wane's side.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... t-25229340
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
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nathan_rugby
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by nathan_rugby »

Where is the mention of the NRL over ruling or is that just assumed ?
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the pieman
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by the pieman »

nathan_rugby wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:27 am Where is the mention of the NRL over ruling or is that just assumed ?
Probably an assumption based on the below quote from the original article

It means organisers are likely to turn their attention to one of the Pacific Islands, with World Cup Finalists Samoa and Kristian Woolf's Tonga the two obvious candidates. However, they would both require NRL approval given the raft of players they would want to bring across to the UK after the season has finished.

i know the Kiwi's should be able to plan for their own tests without NRL approval, but given the NZ Warriors play in the NRL and a good proportion of their team do to, you can assume that the Kiwis are also being held to ransom by the NRL??
Caboosegg
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by Caboosegg »

Be very disappointed if Wane is dropped the world's best player didn't do any better with an arguably stronger team.
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josie andrews
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by josie andrews »

Caboosegg wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:40 pm Be very disappointed if Wane is dropped the world's best player didn't do any better with an arguably stronger team.
I would be disappointed too. Wane has had a crap deal being England coach with Covid etc & unable to play any teams of merit.

He should be given at least until after the next World Cup in France. Which, sadly I think is a mistake. As there is little support for RL in France except in the southern parts of the country!

Hey, but what do I know when we, England, are in exactly the same boat with the M62 corridor being our main areas of support for the sport 😉
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
The Yonner
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by The Yonner »

Mitigating circumstances certainly, but the bottom line is the failure to beat Samoa in the semi-final was a catastrophic result. Australia and New Zealand in the country for six weeks but neither got to play against England.

Going for experienced but ageing players like McIlorum and Hall wasn't the wisest move.

I don't think SW can really complain if he loses the job.
fozzieskem
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by fozzieskem »

nathan_rugby wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:27 am Where is the mention of the NRL over ruling or is that just assumed ?
It may have escaped your notice but the NRL tend not to play nice with the international,game…
fozzieskem
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Re: England dealt Test series blow as 2023 series and Shaun Wane future in doubt

Post by fozzieskem »

The Yonner wrote: Sat Jan 07, 2023 7:20 pm Mitigating circumstances certainly, but the bottom line is the failure to beat Samoa in the semi-final was a catastrophic result. Australia and New Zealand in the country for six weeks but neither got to play against England.

Going for experienced but ageing players like McIlorum and Hall wasn't the wisest move.

I don't think SW can really complain if he loses the job.
You have a point..it was baffling those 2 selections picking a form player such as Ackers you play him there’s no point otherwise him being there,as for Hall if the comp had gone ahead in ‘21 I’d have said a solid player to have in the side but that extra 12 months hadn’t been kind to him.
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