Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has fired back at critics for suggesting Australia’s Ashes series victory over England was ‘a walk in the park’. Walters hit out after Australia’s 30-8 victory in the third Test at Headingley, which wrapped up a clean sweep for the Aussies and saw England fans calling for the sacking of coach Shaun Wane.
The English side were thoroughly outclassed across the entire three Test series, with some home supporters labelling their third Test performance ’embarrassing’. Australia’s 3-0 series whitewash came despite the failure from Walters’ side to hit their best form in England, with handling errors, lack of discipline and disjointed displays from the Aussie attack leaving many supporters underwhelmed.
Fans are calling on England coach Shaun Wane to be sacked after their humbling Ashes series defeat to the Kangaroos. Pic: Getty
The Kangaroos’ superior defence was ultimately the difference between the two teams, with Wane’s England only managing to cross for two tries the entire series. As was the case in the opening two Tests, England couldn’t turn their numerous opportunities into points in Leeds, despite enjoying a better completion rate and dominating the territorial battle for large parts.
Wane has been copping it over his selections all series, with England fans suggesting he ignored recent form and picked many players on reputation alone. And after their latest lacklustre display at a raucous Headingley, fans could be heard calling for the coach’s sacking from the stands, with many echoing the sentiment on social media.
Shaun Wane insists he’s the right man to lead England
However, the England coach was bullish when asked after the third Test whether he believed he was the right man to lead England in next year’s World Cup. “I don’t believe. I know I am,” Wane insisted. “We’ve not played well enough for long enough periods against a really good team. This is a different challenge against a team that’s going to ask you questions. We couldn’t do it for long enough periods.”
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Wane remains under contract for the World Cup but his role will come under enormous pressure after seeing England humbled by a Kangaroos side that was far from its best. His Aussie counterpart Walters could face similar scrutiny after failing to get the Aussies firing during the series.
Kevin Walters insists Ashes series was no ‘walk in the park’
But the Kangaroos coach hit back at suggestions that it was an easy Ashes series win against a weak England side. “Some of the Australian press have been saying ‘it’s like a walk in the park’,” Walters said. “Well, come over and walk in the park against the English, and see how you go … These were tough matches.
“There’s been some chat back home about this English side – they’re this and they’re that – but if you talk to our players, they’ve got nothing but respect for them and the way they play their football. It’s a different style of game here, and it’s great that our boys can experience that now.”
The Kangaroos squad celebrates with captain Isaah Yeo after completing an Ashes series clean sweep over England. Pic: Getty
Walters said he also felt for his England counterpart after admitting he was shocked to hear chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ ringing from the stands in Leeds. “I’ve certainly been surprised by the criticism Shaun has received… that was great Test football,” the Kangaroos coach said.
Many critics have slammed the standard of footy and questioned whether the Ashes series deserves a regular spot on the league calendar after a 22-year hiatus. But Walters is adamant it should be here to stay. “These series need to continue on a regular basis for both countries to get better and develop better as rugby league-playing nations,” Australia’s coach added.
with AAP