England Head Coach Shaun Wane has spoken to the press ahead of the Third ABK Beer Ashes Test at AMT Headingley Stadium on Saturday, where England will be aiming to get a victory against Australia.
After a disappointing defeat at Wembley Stadium, England came excruciatingly close at Everton last Saturday, but it wasn’t to be, as Australia went on to retain the Ashes once more.
Upon reflection, Wane said:
“I thought we played better in the second test. I was disappointed that we lost, but we did a lot of good things.
“We need to make sure that we don’t switch off in the second half – if we hadn’t have done that last week, then we’d be in a much better shape.
“International rugby – nobody will understand it unless you’re in it. It’s all about fine margins.
“We had trained so well but then switched off for one set, and that’s all it takes against champion teams.”
Wane has made two changes for the third Ashes test in Leeds, with Hull KR winger Joe Burgess and Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman coming into the team.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Budgie [Joe Burgess] – he’s earned it, and also Harry Newman at Leeds. I’m so excited and so glad for him, especially at Headingley,” Wane explained.
“It was a tough few days [after the second test loss]; it was tough for everybody moving forward, but the mood now is very intent on getting a result on Saturday.
“We’ve had two really good training sessions this week. We just need to be really thorough and concentrate for 80 minutes and then we’ll get what we deserve.”
Passion and pride is on the line for England this weekend, who will be doing everything they can to ensure they don’t go 3-0 down in an Ashes series.
Full attention and focus turns to putting in their strongest performance out on the Headingley field, where a win would also see them become the first England side to defeat the Kangaroos since 1995 - over 30 years ago.
“We’re just obsessed about making sure it’s not 3-0 this week,” emphasised the England Head Coach.
“We don’t want to be the team what lost a test series 3-0. There’s a lot of pride in it.
“All I’m concerned about is making sure these lads are ready for half two kick off on Saturday.
“We need to have that confrontational attitude in defence, but when we get the ball, we’ve got some talented players. I want us to play, I want us to be free, but I also want us to build pressure.
“You can’t turn the ball over to Australia in dangerous field position - if you do that, you won’t win a test match.”
Meanwhile, Kelvin Walters has named his strongest side as the Kangaroos hope to bring the curtain down on the Ashes series in style.
And Wane is under no illusion that another huge challenge awaits, but firmly believes his players will want it more on the day:
“We’re up against 17 absolutely fantastic players, but it just has to mean more to us this week.”
Will you be there to show your pride and passion and cheer on Wane's England in the third and final test?
The ABK Beer Ashes Series concludes on Saturday 8 November as the Third Test takes place at AMT Headingley Stadium in Leeds (K.O. 2:30pm).
It’s a complete sell-out, with Shaun Wane's England side looking to finish the series on a high!
The match will also be available to watch live on BBC One, with information on overseas coverage available here.
