Aaron Woods clearly hasn’t learned his lesson from earlier this year, again lighting the fuse with comments made about an opposition coach.
The former Kangaroos prop took aim at England coach Shaun Wane just days out from the Ashes series kicking off at Wembley Stadium on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Woods reacted to a team talk from Wane to his players that was posted to social media.
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“Fair dinkum, can you wake me up?” he said on Triple M.
“Listening to that, are you kidding? No wonder they haven’t won the Ashes in so long.”
Aaron Woods WWE via Getty Images
It comes after Woods got into a war of words with Billy Slater during this year’s State of Origin series, where he famously labelled the Maroons coach a “grub” on radio.
The latest sledge from the former Wests Tigers star has made its way overseas to the UK and now Wane has returned serve in an interview with Nine’s Michael Chammas.
Speaking at the iconic stadium ahead of the series opener, Wane dismissed the barb from Woods but conceded his antics were clearly part of the job.
“Who’s that?” Wane said jokingly.
“I know he’s paid to be controversial. I wouldn’t have thought he’d genuinely meant it.
“He called me boring, did he? That’s up to him. I watched him play as well.
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“He comes out with his comments and he’s entitled to his view. He’s played in the NRL and I’ve never done that. Fair play. It doesn’t really bother me what he says.
“I know I have an effect with my England team and hopefully you see that on Saturday.”
Asked if the players took offence to the comments, Wane said it had been a topic of discussion and that an England victory would be on Woods’ shoulders.
“Oh yeah, it’s been mentioned,” the coach said.
Shaun Wane has responded to Aaron Woods Getty/Instagram
“I’m not on social media but my daughter sent it to me. My daughter is very protective of me, both my daughters. They were a bit pissed off. The players were as well.
“We’ll find out on Saturday, but if we do get that victory, it’s going to be down to him.”
Woods commented via Instagram and applauded Wane for his response.
“What a legend that’s how u [sic] handle banter,” he said.
Woods played 270 first-grade games and featured in 17 matches for Australia, including the Kangaroos’ 2017 World Cup victory.
Wane has been in charge of the England side for the past five years.