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Fraser McReight reflects on rise to becoming one of Wallabies’ best
Harry Potter • October 30th, 2024 4:56 pm
The marketing gurus had billed this autumn series between England and Samoa as a chance for revenge given what happened in an extraordinary Rugby League World Cup semi-final two years ago, when Samoa stunned Shaun Wane’s side in extra time at the Emirates Stadium.
The reality, however, is that this two-match series is not about looking back for England but rather looking forward to the next World Cup. To that end, this was another successful tick in the box for a side who will be largely unchanged when the tournament kicks off in Australia in two years’ time.
The hosts were ultimately too good for the touring Samoans, who trailed 16-6 at half-time and could have no complaints about the fact they need to win in Leeds next weekend to square the series. They, too, will have hopes of success in the 2026 World Cup after reaching the final in England last time out, given how they are littered with National Rugby League superstars.
Here, though, there were still simmering tensions from 2022. That was evident before a ball had been kicked, with Samoa’s spine‑tingling Siva Tau war dance leading to the Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis and the Manly Sea Eagles’ Gordon Chan Kum Tong going head-to-head.
When the action began, it was England who were the superior of the two teams. Led by another imperious display from their captain, George Williams, there was a lot to like about what Wane’s side delivered: even if his post-match assessment was not exactly glowing.
“We need to be better, if I’m honest,” the head coach said. “That performance wouldn’t trouble Australia. We know what we need to fix as a group, staff and players. But it would mean everything to me to make it 2-0 next week.”
English rugby league has been stuck in a cycle of heartbreaking World Cup defeats followed by four years of optimism-building displays going into the next tournament. Wane will hope this talented young group has the capabilities to break that cycle in Australia after falling short on home soil.
