Shaun Wane has told England’s players to repay his faith in them with a flawless, physical performance to overpower a “unique” Papua New Guinea in the men's Rugby League World Cup quarter finals.
The hosts have been in electric form to romp through the group stage with a 100 per cent record, notching up thumping victories over Samoa, France and Greece. Samoa could yet cross England’s path again, with a much-improved run later in the group stage setting up their own mouth-watering last-eight clash with Tonga on Sunday.
But 24 hours before that, Wane sends England into battle against a PNG team renowned for its defensive physicality and unpredictable attack with ball in hand. Wane is wary, but full of faith in the players he has chosen to see England through.
“My team is strong and we’ll be having a good dig at them, no question,” he said. “They’re a really strong nation, a strong team who run hard and hit hard. It’s going to be a tough one. But it will be tough for them as well.”
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Wane revealed this week how he had endured a tough few days trimming his 24-man squad down to a matchday 19, “leaving people out who never get left out”.
They include hooker Andy Ackers, who excelled in a full 80-minute performance against Greece, England’s record try scorer Ryan Hall and prop forwards Luke Thompson and Mikolaj Oledzki.
“They always start in their respective club teams. But we’re all friends and we’re a really close group. It’s not easy but we have to win on Saturday. It’s knockout rugby now and I have to pick a team I think will get us through.”
That squad of 19 will see two more left out on Saturday, with Kai Pearce-Paul likely to make way at centre for the returning Kallum Watkins and Herbie Farnworth.
With Wane tending to favour a big bench, Mark Sneyd could well be the other odd man out, with the impressive George Williams and Jack Welsby in the halves.
“It’s knockout, we have to win, and I have the team in my heart that I feel can get the job done,” Wane adds.
PNG were impressive in an opening defeat to Tonga that many felt they should have won. Subsequent wins over Cook Islands and Wales saw them through as runners-up, although Wane knows the Kumuls could easily have won the group and represent a real danger.
“They are well coached and they challenge teams by running hard. They have done for years, and they defend like their life depends on it. We have to be ready for the challenge. I don't really care if we're favourites or not, but I know it's going to be full on.
“I thought the Samoa game was going to be full-on but it wasn’t to be. Obviously they’ve improved massively since then. But this will be a tough challenge. It’s sudden-death. We have to perform.”
“The way they play is a bit unique, they are very direct and really challenge you to get your detail right in contact to get the attack good, because if you mistime something you are going to get bent in two!”
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
