England boss Shaun Wane slams how ‘waste of time’ claims over June match were made
SHAUN WANE has blasted back at Hull FC chairman Adam Pearson for writing off England’s mid-season match as a potential ‘waste of time.’
He wants to work with Super League clubs after himself finding the national set up working against him.
Wane will finally get the chance to lead his nation into battle against the Combined Nations All Stars – Super League’s best non-English players - on Friday, June 25 at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.
However, Black and Whites owner Pearson hit out at the concept, especially if English NRL-based players cannot come over – he also claims he may not release Hull’s stars who play for nations other than England.
Wane, though, has fired back for Pearson going behind his back, saying: “I’m all for face-to-face chats, getting things off your chest and sorting it out that way.
“I had conversations with him for weeks and he knew about the plans for 12 months. I just don’t understand why he’d go public and not ring me.
“This has been an international weekend, agreed by the international board and the owners of clubs for months.
“To me, it’s simple. I’ve had chats with CEOs and coaches. They all had a chance to voice their opinion and everyone was really supportive.
“Then all of a sudden he’s talking about pulling players out. I just don’t understand it.
“I know it’s difficult because of the congested fixture list. Clubs have just had their worst season ever financially. I get they need crowds and money.
“But the fact is we need to make sure our players are ready for the World Cup. If that means playing an All Stars game, that’s what we need to do and I’m sure 98 per cent of Super League will get behind it.
“When I was at Wigan, we’d send information on our players of what they needed to do as we had them every day, they were our players, and they’d come back broken.
“Things weren’t stuck to. Any advice I get about a player, that’s exactly what we’ll do. We want to get the players healthy and it’s more important I send them back healthy.”
Wane is waiting to hear if travel restrictions may be eased, so the likes of Josh Hodgson, George Williams, Elliott Whitehead and Luke Thompson can travel.
Even if they cannot, though, they will be getting together as they will be at Wane’s first face-to-face meeting with players on April 6.
And Wane revealed how the miles do not stop Australia-based stars from being part of the World Cup build-up, thanks to former Super League player now Canberra Raiders strength and conditioner Ryan Clayton.
He added: “We’ve sorted it. They’ll be listening in at the meeting I have with the players on April 6, it was important to me they get exactly the same message in Australia.
“There’s a guy at Canberra who we’re going to bring on board. It’s all covered.
“It will happen on the international weekend and more towards the end of the season, dependent on when they finish their season, they’ll be jumping in with Ryan and do some work with him.”
England’s women will face Wales immediately before the men and 4,000 supporters are able to buy tickets now, with the hope more would be able to attend is restrictions ease.
