Shaun Wane talks Covid precautions, Exiles revival... and why he's going bananas for Herbie

A three-time Grand Final winner as head coach of Wigan, his deal with the national side now runs until the end of 2022.

Here were some of the main talking points...

Return of the Exiles

Wane has previously floated the idea of reviving the match between England and the Exiles – a team comprised of the best overseas players in Super League.

He has been talking to his RFL bosses, including chief executive Ralph Rimmer, about arranging a match in the middle of next season to help him prepare for the autumn World Cup.

“I’d like a fixture at the end of this year, but I know the well-being of the players is the priority,” said Wane.

“I’d like to see a few games if possible. The reality is we’re all in a circumstance now which we could never foresee coming.

“We all need to adapt and it isn’t going to be perfect. An Exiles game around the middle of next year, around June-time, hopefully we can that in there.

“I want it (Exiles) to be one game, three games, whichever way we look at it.

“You look at the Exiles, let’s get a big sponsor and make it a big deal and make it like a Test match.

“That’s what I’m encouraged to see. We’re behind the eight-ball not having an Ashes series, so the more two-day camps I can have in the pre-season, the better.

“But the Exiles game is a massive one. If I wanted to play a mid-season game against the Exiles I would like my Aussie-based players here, but that’s a conversation to have with Ralph.

“Reviving the Exiles has become more serious with me since the Ashes were called off. I need to coach.

“I need some stress at weekends and I’ve sat down with Ralph and said what I want with camps and games.

“It’s not going to be perfect but it’s going to be the best we can do in terms of our prep for the World Cup.”

And in terms of a game at end of year?

“I’m going to keep trying – even if it’s a scrimmage game against our Knights I’m going to keep trying. That’s my job; to keep pushing for more games,” he said.

Bringing in more players

Wane has been impressed by the performances of English three-quarter Herbie Farnworth for Brisbane Broncos, and has drafted him into his provisional elite squad.

Farnworth hails from Pendo, in east Lancashire, and once played amateur for St Pats. He moved to Australia with his uncle Brian Foley, who used to work with Wigan’s youth system. And Saints loose forward Morgan Knowles is also in the frame after he agreed to switch his allegiances from Wales.

Wane, who will meet the NRL-based players when he travels to Australia in November, said: “Herbie is young and will have time to develop into one of the leading candidates for World Cup selection.

“They’re doing it tough at Brisbane, everyone is there. I wouldn’t say he’s stood out but he’s doing a few good things which I like to see.

“He’s warranted his selection in the top squad.

“I’d need to see more from him but the glimpses I’ve seen are very encouraging.

“His size and athleticism are very impressive and I can see him pushing very hard for a centre spot next year.

“I know him through the scouts at Wigan – Matty Peet (now assistant coach) made me aware of him many years ago. We’ve followed his rise through the ranks and to end up over there, playing NRL at his age, is very impressive.”

His links with the NRL

When his contract extension was announced, Rimmer mentioned it gives Wane the security amid reports linking him with a move to the NRL.

The former Wigan boss says he never had any direct talks with any clubs, having been linked with St George Illawarra, Canterbury Bulldogs and New Zealand Warriors.

“Not directly, no. It was just tentative enquiries a while ago but it hasn’t gone any further,” he said.

“My name is being tossed up with everything over there and I can’t seem to stop that, that’s just the way it is.

“When I took this job with England, there wasn’t a prouder man.

“I’m very patriotic and the chance of coaching against Mal in the Ashes was a huge motivation for me.

“For that to be cancelled was really devastating for me. Coaching at the World Cup is going to be special, no question.

“When I packed in at Wigan I wanted to coach England and I definitely wanted to coach in the NRL, but whether I’ll get the chance, I’m not sure.”

Super League’s return

Wane has been at Headingley and St Helens to watch all the matches.

“Before lockdown, I thought the standard needed to improve,” he said.

“But the way the players have come back is a credit to them.

“The physicality watching these games, they’ve only had a couple of weeks with the players and the coaching staff at the clubs have all done a fantastic job.”

He admits he has sketched an England side and the outside backs gave him the biggest headache.

But he added: “I know who my best team is but that changes every time I watch a round of Super League.”

Covid-19

Hull FC won’t play this weekend after a dozen positive coronavirus tests – nine players and three staff – which also forced them to cancel last week’s Super League match.

Wane doesn’t know the circumstances but says those tests, followed by a case at St Helens today, serve as a reminder that the virus has not gone away.

“I was concerned and a bit angry. At the end of the day, this game is really important to me like it is with the Hull players,” he said.

“We just need to make sure that we’re all really supportive and smart in how we go about our business and we protect our game.

“The ramifications of having even more problems is really bad. There’s no question about that.

“I’ve loved these last few weeks, watching two or three games a day, and I don’t want it to stop.

“While all the players are already being smart, we need to be smarter and obsessed with making sure we do the right things. There’s no dressing it up. I’m fearful of more postponements because I want to give us the best chance of winning the World Cup.

“We need to make sure that we’re the shining light of all sports, and we behave the best. I know the majority of players in Super League will all be trying, we just need to try harder.”

Support from clubs

Wane said: “I’ve mentioned being thankful to the RFL and clubs in past interviews, without it being written about, but I’d like to get it out there that genuinely they’ve been so supportive.

“I was at St Helens and (chairman) Eamonn McManus came over and was asking me questions and saying, ‘Anything you need from us, let us know, we want to help you win the World Cup’.

“And that’s the same everywhere, every CEO, every head coach, and I just want that to get out there because they’ve been fantastic.”