Following Samoa’s triumph, England manager Shaun Wane gives a somber warning.
Shaun Wane’s team wins 34-18 after the captain scores one goal and sets up two more early on. It was stunning how England opened up Samoa in this thrilling first Test match at Wigan.
SHAUN WANE acknowledged, “We wouldn’t trouble Australia,” while watching his England team thrash Samoa.
They raced in six tries against opponents who destroyed their World Cup aspirations in a heartbreaking semi-final two years ago, and captain George Williams was inspired. “I was really happy with that, and overall, you have to be to beat a team like Samoa and their talent,” Wane insisted.
However, we never brought up retaliation. That game was not shown [2022]. I’ve witnessed enough of it. This Test match was all about winning. We can easily correct certain aspects and make improvements. And winning the series would mean the world. However, we are aware that Australia wouldn’t be bothered by that performance. We must improve.
Standoff in Warrington Williams led the way early on. He is one of nine players left from the team that suffered golden point heartbreak at Emirates Stadium in 2022. However, Herbie Farnworth, the outstanding center who was injured and missed last autumn’s series thumping of Tonga, and great hooker Daryl Clark provided strong assistance for the 29-year-old. When England plays the second and final Test at Headingley on Saturday, they will attempt to complete back-to-back clean sweeps. Even before the game started, things got tasty here.
As they performed their traditional Siva Tau war dance, Samoa’s Gordon Chan Kum Tong got literally up into the face of England star Mikey Lewis. The diminutive Man of Steel refused to back down, their heads coming together in an intense showdown which set the tone. But Samoa could barely get near England on the field in the opening 20 minutes as the ruthless hosts raced into a 16-0 lead.
Williams took control, brilliantly tipping on Kai Pearce-Paul’s pass to get Farnworth over for the game’s first try. The Warrington schemer then came up with the killer ball for club-mate Matty Ashton to cut infield and score before he got over himself after hitting Harry Newman’s excellent flat pass. Harry Smith, who controlled superbly alongside Williams, slotted the second of his four goals and Shaun Wane’s side were pitch-perfect.
Mike McMeeken thought he’d added a fourth but was ruled out due to Clark’s forward pass. Sloppy Samoa, constantly pinged for ruck infringements, didn’t have a look in. However, they were handed a lifeline when Clark – the otherwise excellent Warrington hooker – threw an intercept pass on halfway for Deine Mariner to lap up in the 34th minute.
Junior Pauga improved to give Samoa something to work with at 16-6. They tried to get moving in the second half but Dom Young nailed Pauga with a massive hit and Anthony Milford spilled to waste one shot. Instead, England fired back, Dolphins centre Farnworth turning provider as he produced a stunning pass to get fellow NRL man Victor Radley over.
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