Calls from Down Under have been made for England Rugby League to make a coaching switch, with current boss Shaun Wane under fire following his side’s poor performance at Wembley last weekend.
Wane, who has been England’s head coach since February 2020, will lead England through to the end of the next World Cup at the end of 2026.
However, a lack of results in big games have brought the former Wigan Warriors man some criticism, with the Australian media backing two NRL and England legends to replace him.
Defeat at the semi-final stage in the 2022 World Cup raised initial eyebrows, and whilst England were successful in series wins over Samoa and Tonga, their poor performance in the opening Ashes Test match against Australia brought more questions regarding the capability of the 61-year-old.
England were well beaten at Wembley, and after all the talk stated that the home nation could take it to the Kangaroos and give them a competitive game, they failed to live up to their word, and if not for a Daryl Clark consolation score, would have been kept to nil by Kevin Walters’ men.
The Daily Telegraph are reporting that the former England forward duo of James Graham and Sam Burgess could be next in line to take their country forward, with key figures in the game supposedly wanting to make that happen.
As part of a wider article by established NRL journalists Brent Read and Michael Carayannis, the report stated Burgess as the ‘ideal man’ to next take on the role.
It said: “Sports Confidential understands that key figures within the game believe that Burgess, currently in charge at Super League side Warrington, would be the ideal man to restore passion and pride to the England jersey, potentially alongside his friend and former teammate Graham.”
Of course, Burgess is the current head coach of the Wolves, and has a contract there that runs for another 12 months. However, with that also being the same time Wane’s England deal expires, it is not out of the question that two of England’s greatest ever forwards could take the reigns for 2027 and beyond.
If England are to lose again this week at Everton, the series would be over with a game to spare, and it would be a damning reflection on the English game if that were to happen. This weekend’s match-up is a do or die game for Wane, the players and the game in this country, and another defeat, let alone poor performance, could spell disaster for the English national team.
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