Head coach Shaun Wane has rejected bizarre claims that the World Cup is being set up for England to win.
The unexpected interrogation took place during an otherwise uneventful midweek press conference at the squad’s Robin Park training complex, as Wane announced his squad for Saturday’s semi-final against Samoa at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
In between fielding questions about Samoan physicality and why he has replaced prop forward Matty Lees with Luke Thompson, Wane was asked to comment on suggestions the competition had been rigged in the host nation’s favour.
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The left-field probe came from one of a large Australian press pack, and centred on suggestions that “a lot of teams” believe that logistical headaches with hotels and training facilities suggest that “the way the tournament is run and organised has been set up for England to win”.
To say the head coach was baffled would be an understatement.
“I’ve never, ever heard that before and I never thought I would hear that to be honest,” Wane replied.
“I just don’t see where that would come from. That is definitely not what I’m seeing.”
When the reporter clarified that some teams had been left unable to get a hotel from tournament officials, leading to suggestions that “the organisers are doing the best to help you guys out”, Wane seemed to realise that the mind games may have already started before either potential final opponents England or Australia had played their semis.
“I think the World Cup has done a great job in organising,” he said.
“We have had seven-day turnarounds and I don’t think any team could moan about changing hotels. We are changing hotels this weekend and travelling down to London.
“Australia play on Friday and we are Saturday. 24 hours in a steam room will have them relaxed, they have 24 hours on us.
“We look at it as exciting, getting on a fantastic coach to go to a great hotel in our capital. We use it as a way of bringing us even closer, we don’t look at it as a negative as some people do.”
England travel to London on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s showdown, a rematch of the opening game of the tournament, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
Samoa had barely acclimatised on day one in Newcastle, with their under-prepared NRL stars thrashed 60-6 by their rampant hosts.
And Wane knows that with revenge in the air, this weekend could be very different.
“Every Samoa player has played better [as the tournament has developed].
“I know how good they are as I watch all the NRL so I knew they would improve massively and that is what has happened.
“Jarome Luai is one we have really looked at. He is one of the main ones, he can play, has a great step and is very smart. They have good players throughout the team.
“We have never mentioned the first game. We know this is a different team with a lot of really good players. It has the makings of a really good hit out.
“They are full strength and we are strong, we are ready. I think we are stronger than when we played Samoa and I think we are doing things better.
“I’m happy but I will never be satisfied with how we are playing. I still think we can get better on the performance from last week. I know we will improve, I know what these players are capable of.
“The spirit we have and how close we are is the tightest I’ve felt in a team, and we have had some good teams at Wigan.
“I genuinely mean it. We use every week to get better and tighter, and hopefully you will see that on Saturday
“I want us to be error-free, I want perfection.“
England play Samoa at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon, with Australia and New Zealand competing the first semi-final at Elland Road on Friday night.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
