Rugby League World Cup 2021: England vs Samoa talking point and team news ahead of the opening match in Newcastle | News about rugby league

England head coach Shaun Wane has faced a long wait for the World Cup to take place

England will kick off the 2021 Rugby World Cup against Samoa on Saturday and let’s take a look at some of the talking points and team news ahead of the Newcastle clash. Also check out a preview of the evening match between Australia and Fiji…

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Shaun Wane has faced a longer-than-expected wait to lead England at the World Cup, but now the four-time Super League Grand Final head coach is delighted to be taking on close.

Wiganer was appointed Wayne Bennett’s successor in 2020 but had to wait until next year to coach the national team in a match as the Covid-19 pandemic brought international rugby to a halt.

Concerns about the virus also caused the World Cup to be postponed for 12 months. However, Wane’s frustration over those delays is now being carried over to securing England a place in Group A and the tournament with a win over star-studded Samoa at St James’ Park (2.30pm).

“I’ve been bored for the last two years,” said Wane, who kicked off the tournament with a 50-0 win over Fiji last Friday. “I’m very hungry for this tournament but my job as head coach is to make complicated things simple.

“I need to prioritize what is going to help us win against Samoa. We performed well against Fiji but here’s another challenge this weekend against a really good Samoan team with six players from the likes. win NRL.

“They have big athletes, for men, they’re 10-15 kg heavier than us. We’re not as big but we’re very healthy and we have the stuff in the game that we believe in. could cause problems for Samoa.”

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Around 45,000 spectators are expected to be at St James’ Park for the match, which will be the most attended opening match in Rugby League World Cup history, and it will is an opportunity to enjoy the boy Dom Young of the British team in particular.

Young, who happens to represent the Australian city of Newcastle with the Knights at the NRL, got off to a good start to his international career last Friday by scoring and providing two assists. ​created in victory over Fiji.

Although born in Wakefield, the 21-year-old has a family from the North East and are all proud Newcastle United fans. But as playing at United’s home ground probably doesn’t mean much for Chelsea Young fans, he can’t wait to feature in the match he will start as one of the players. England winger.

Young said: “My whole family is from Newcastle. “It was really weird, especially when I was in Newcastle in Australia – and so many suburbs had similar names.

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“They’re all Geordies, all proud United fans, and I’ve been to the stadium a few times. It’s huge and it’s going to be a great atmosphere – you know England fans are like how.”

Samoa played to reduce expectations for the opener

A quick look at the bookies’ odds for Saturday’s opening will tell you that Samoa, not the hosts, are the small-to-win favorites.

That might come as a surprise to the casual fan, but like their Pacific Island cousins ​​Tonga, the Samoans have assembled a team of many NRL talents who have scurried away. crossing from Australia and New Zealand to represent the nation.

That includes five of the Penrith Panthers that won this year’s NRL Finals and two more from runner-up Parramatta Eels, but captain Junior Paulo has warned it won’t be easy going up against England

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“It will be a pretty good result for us but it’s all about preparation,” said Paulo. “The boys played pretty well but, knowing we didn’t play a lot of feet together, it was all about building that bond.

“They have a quality team of strikers and in that warm-up they definitely provided strength in the middle. It’s a challenge we’re definitely looking forward to.

“We know we’ve got a quality outfit and we’re looking to start running this week.”

Samoa have not played together since June 25 when they easily won 42-12 over the Cook Islands in the mid-season international and head coach Matt Parish warned not to expect good. from his team in the match against England.

Samoa trains in Newcastle ahead of Saturday’s World Cup opener against England

“We haven’t finished the first match yet,” Parish said. “England played a test match while our boys were all on the plane.

“I’m confident we’ll get better as the competition goes on.”

Team

English (from): Sam Tomkins (captain), Tommy Makinson, Kallum Watkins, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Welsby, George Williams, Tom Burgess, Michael McIlorum, Luke Thompson, Elliott Whitehead, Victor Radley, Dom Young, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mike Cooper, Chris Hill, Mike McMeeken, Marc Sneyd, Kai Pearce-Paul.

Samoa (from): Josh Aloiai, Stephen Crichton, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Oregon Kaufusi, Spencer Leniu, Danny Levi, Jarome Luai, Tyrone May, Anthony Milford, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo (captain), Jaydn Su’a, Joseph Suaalii, Hamiso Tabaui-Fidow, Izack Tago, Martin Taupa’u, Brian To’o, Kelma Tuilagi.

Meninga to use Aussie team for Fiji clash

World champions Australia begin their bid to retain the Paul Barriere trophy against Fiji at Headingley on Saturday night (7.30pm).

Apart from 2008, when they were defeated by New Zealand in the final, the Kangaroos have maintained their place in the World Cup since 1975 and are the favorites to hold the title in England this year.

Head coach Mal Meninga, a player for the winning teams of 1988 and 1992, took the step of marking his match on day 17 on Tuesday, with seven players set to make their Australian debuts. because those who participated in the recent NRL Finals are resting.

“This is an incredibly strong team and it’s in line with what we’re trying to achieve in the league,” Meninga said.

Australia head coach Mal Meninga is using his squad depth for the clash with Fiji

“The players of the Finals won’t be playing against Fiji, while some of the players we’ve named haven’t played for weeks. It’s important to give them game time as we look at the situation. our combination.

“All players not playing against Fiji will play next game against Scotland [on Friday, October 21]. “

Team

Australia: James Tedesco (captain); Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi; Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans; Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Ben Hunt, Jake Trbojevic, Angus Crichton, Jeremiah Nanai, Cameron Murray.

Exchange: Harry Grant, Reuben Cotter, Pat Carrigan, Jack Wighton.

Fiji (from): Sunia Turuva, Miteli Vulikijapani, Kevin Naiqama (captain), Semi Valemei, Maika Sivo, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Brandon Wakeham, King Vuniyayawa, Apisai Koroisau, Tui Kamikamica, Vmeme Kikau, Josh Wong, Lamar Manunirol-Lioni Jowitvaasa, Lamar Manurol-Lioni , Tagaveveasa Ben Nakubuwai, Taniela Sadrugu, Netane Masima, Isaac Lumelume.