How Shaun Wane lines England up against Samoa in the second Test is a big talking point, specifically the inclusion of a certain Wigan Warriors man.
England won the first Test 34-18 with relative ease but two of Samoa’s three tries came from lengthy breaks, something that Wane would not have been too happy about.
In fact, in his initial post-game assessment he lamented the performance as one that ‘would not trouble Australia’, with the Kangaroos the benchmark in the sport and England’s opponents for next year’s Ashes series.
Reflecting again yesterday when speaking to the media, the England boss would backtrack somewhat as he noted: “I was more impressed when I watched it back,” but recalled the errors and explained: “We can’t make unforced errors or give away interceptions – in international football you can’t do that.”
Looking ahead to the second and final Test on Saturday at AMT Headingley, there is a split in the opinion between fans over whether England should stick to a winning formula or rotate and rest with an eye on the future.
One such man who is the focus of many fan’s attention is Wigan Warriors star Junior Nsemba with the Super League Young Player of the Year left out of the matchday 18-man squad. Now, fans have had their say.
Serious About Rugby League asked fans if Shaun Wane should make any changes to the team for Saturday’s second and final Test, a game where a win would secure a second clean-sweep series victory for the former Wigan Warriors boss.
The answers were mixed with the notion of not changing a winning team pitted against that of promoting youth to try and develop for the 2025 Ashes and the 2026 World Cup.
Central to that second point was Wigan Warriors’ Junior Nsemba with the Dream Team second-rower a prominent absentee for game one.
Among the suggested changes, Junior Nsemba into the starting 13 was a popular one and one that Martin Collard suggested as he said: “At the very least, Junior in for Bateman.”
Dean Williamson called for “Just two changes. Knowles out, Nsemba in. Burgess out, Thompson in.”
Mark Davison was another calling for Nsemba to feature, stating: “Thompson, Nsemba & Smithies for Havard, Bateman & Knowles.”
Those calling for Luke Thompson to feature appear to be in luck with Shaun Wane confirming that the Wigan Warriors prop will ‘definitely’ play, arguing that he would have played on Sunday if not for his ban.
Wane also noted that both Dom Young and Matty Ashton had knocks and were two of ‘about four or five’ but with both wingers name-checked, it could be a hint that Liam Marshall might feature, another Wigan Warriors man that was on the mind of many fans.
Kenneth Hart argued: “Marshall should play Shaun, he deserves a chance. He’s played out of his skin all year, give him what he’s worked hard all year for.”
Alison E Hardman added: “Get Mashall and Nsemba on the pitch.”
There were still advocates not to change a winning team with Brian Cosgrove asking that very question: “Why change a winning side?”
Scott Taylor (presumably not the former England international) added: “You won, why change.”
Others, including Garrath Willshaw, called for change: “These matches are a chance to test new players in an effort to get better on the world stage. Give them a go after they’ve performed all year in their club games. I don’t see the point calling up all the players not to give them a run out.”
Tom McGinn put forward a balanced argument and surmised the situation very accurately, claiming that the decision to change or not was dependent on the objectives.
He said: “Depends on what our objectives are? Our first should be pick our best team to win. But the other thought maybe to give as many of the squad a game as possible to see how they perform. The coaches decision.”
We’ll know more on Shaun Wane’s decision on Thursday when the 19-man matchday squad is confirmed which will almost certainly see one change with Luke Thompson in, but for who is unclear.
Saturday’s match between England and Samoa will follow England Women taking on Wales with both matches televised, the Women’s game broadcast from 11:00 am on BBC Two before coverage switches to BBC One at 2:00 pm.
