Opportunity for England RL to be tested by Exiles appeals to coach Shaun Wane
It was confirmed yesterday that the three Test home series against Australia – scheduled for October and November – is officially off due to the knock-on effects of the coronavirus.
That has not only caused a “considerable impact” on the Rugby Football League’s finances but also created issues for new coach Wane who, as it stands, has no fixtures planned before England host the 2021 World Cup next autumn.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdNevertheless, he still hopes to play a game this year and Wales have already offered to stand in for world champions Australia but resurrecting the Exiles is also a possibility.
The representative side made up of overseas players operating in Super League ran from 2011 to 2013 and they twice beat England in their four encounters.
Given the likes of world dual-code stars such as Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Folau would currently be available as well as players of the calibre of Tonga’s Konrad Hurrell and New South Wales State of Origin half James Maloney, you can understand the attraction.
Wane conceded he was “devastated” the first Kangaroos Ashes tour in 17 years was off but, looking forward, admitted: “If you look at the quality of those players over here, it’s a great (Exiles) team.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“The other day I was in the garden and I picked an Exiles side of players I’d seen in Super League. It was a very strong team.
“It was as good as any Test team. So it would be great for the fans over here to watch a game like that of that standard and it would be a great test for us.
“But I know there’s a lot of things could happen, so it’s not certain of being on. If there’s a chance I know Ralph (Rimmer) has always been very supportive of me and helped me in every way he can, and I know he’ll do his best in the same way.”
Wane added: “I’d like to have a mid-season Test in 2021 if possible. I am in regular conversations with Ralph.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Whatever this season looks like, if there was something we could put in at the end, whether it be a camp, England Knights, some sort of a Test match against somebody towards the end of this year, that would be great.
“I know that’s going to be a big call. Super League comes first, I understand that. We need to get our games on.
“But I was aware there was a chance of the Ashes being cancelled. I’ve been putting things into place for how we can fix things.”
Continued complications surrounding global travel and the need to extend the domestic season in both hemispheres were reasons given for the decision by the RFL and the Australia Rugby League Commission to cancel the Ashes which included a second Test at Leeds United’s Elland Road on November 7.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAdmittedly, the NRL did resume playing at the weekend but Super League is not expected to start again until mid-August.
An Ashes tour could take place in 2022 and Rimmer said: “We have already indicated to the ARLC that we would be keen to welcome them for a three-Test series at any time in the future.
“We will now work together to make this happen as soon as possible.”
Editor’s note: First and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAlmost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.
And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.
Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.
If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.
Sincerely. Thank you. James Mitchinson, Editor
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.