Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Thu Nov 02, 2023 6:27 pm  

jonh wrote:

The interviewer asked him about Paul Wellens move to Tongan team and his knowledge of the English team.

He didn’t just randomly come out with a dig at Wellens, he was asked about the move and gave an honest assessment of it.

Didn’t see any issue with it.

It was Wellens that turned his back on England…to join a team England were playing in a 3 game series. If he was removed from his position and joined Tonga I’m sure there would be a very different sentiment but he didn’t. He chose Tonga over England and as head coach he had every right to make the comments he did.

He could just as easily have said “that’s a conversation that Paul and I had in private”

Lots of coaches play a straight bat when asked something contentious.

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Thu Nov 02, 2023 6:36 pm  

I think it’s clear Wane has tried to whip up a ‘us vs them’ mentality in his squad and I’ve no issue with that at all but my the same token, I’ve no real issue with Wellens working for Tonga either. It’s common place in other sports coaches being involved against their home nations. I know it’s a bit different with Wellens having been involved with England and leaving that role pre World Cup but in fairness to him, he did have his first head coaching position to plan for, so it was understandable.

It adds a bit of intrigue IMO with Saints players working under a guy associated mainly with Wigan and going up against their club coaches. Mate vs mate is played on in State of Origin and does no harm (I had to laugh at Welsby pushing Hopoate’s face in to the mud at the weekend. That’s a lad who will definitely leave friendships on the sideline).

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Fri Nov 03, 2023 7:32 am  

Stu M wrote:

He could just as easily have said “that’s a conversation that Paul and I had in private”

Lots of coaches play a straight bat when asked something contentious.

I’m glad when coaches give us answers, not just boring robot answers.

Gives the press something to promote the game with.

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Fri Nov 03, 2023 11:04 am  

jonh wrote:

The interviewer asked him about Paul Wellens move to Tongan team and his knowledge of the English team.

He didn’t just randomly come out with a dig at Wellens, he was asked about the move and gave an honest assessment of it.

Didn’t see any issue with it.

It was Wellens that turned his back on England…to join a team England were playing in a 3 game series. If he was removed from his position and joined Tonga I’m sure there would be a very different sentiment but he didn’t. He chose Tonga over England and as head coach he had every right to make the comments he did.

If I recall correctly, at the last world cup didn't most travelling teams have an assistant from a UK based team, I thought it was just to save on costs rather than fly loads of assistant coaches over they had UK based ones to help with things, I could be wrong though.
I have no issues with Wellens 'opting' to support Woolfe in his role, did wayne ask him and he turned it down, I haven't heard it said he has (again I may have missed it) but if he didnt then why not get the experience of assisting with a national team.

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Sat Nov 04, 2023 2:46 pm  

Can't be doing with this drum and band rubbish at Headingley doing my head in will have to mute it!

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Sat Nov 04, 2023 2:51 pm  

Hurrell

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Sat Nov 04, 2023 2:52 pm  

Harry Smith is superb

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Sat Nov 04, 2023 3:02 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Hurrell

So off the pace it’s unreal.

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Sat Nov 04, 2023 3:46 pm  

Superb today. It won’t sit well with some Saints fans but Wane has played Woolf like a fiddle. His side have bought in to the ‘us against them’ mentality and looked so hungry. Woolf must be under some pressure for his job after this series if Wane is so inferior.

Re: England Secure Test Series Win Over Tonga : Sat Nov 04, 2023 3:56 pm  

That looked like three punches and maybe even an attempted eye gouge from Hurrell. And only a yellow.