Rugby League Dec 07, 2025

The difference between NRL and Super League? Shaun Wane calls for 'more Test match level games' in England

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
The difference between NRL and Super League? Shaun Wane calls for 'more Test match level games' in England

England are 2-0 down in the Ashes and head coach Shaun Wane believes that if his side are to win this series one day, Super League needs more high-intensity games similar to the NRL.

England were much improved from their 26-6 trouncing at Wembley but two tries straight after half-time from Cameron Munster and Hudson Young proved the difference as the Green and Gold secured a 14-4 win and a series-clinching 2-0 lead.

It means England are kept waiting once again to win in this iconic series with Australia having defended it 13 times in a row.

Wane's outfit join generations before them who have not been able to get one over the Kangaroos and the England man believes if they are going to be able to complete that goal in the future, Super League needs more "Test-level" matches.

The NRL has the likes of the State of Origin games that take the intensity up a notch.

And Wane said: "I mean, a lot of credit we have to give to Australia, they play Test matches - they play a lot of Test matches - in their competition, and we play 10, 15 a year. They play a lot more intense games.

"That makes me feel proud that we've stuck at it for 70 minutes today, but still the overriding feeling for me is disappointment of not finishing the job.

"Absolutely, I'd love that. That's what we need, we need really intense games, and that's going to improve the competition and that's going to improve the chances of us winning these sort of games.

"For me as an international coach, at the minute the more intense Test match games we play, the better for all of our players in our comp."

Now, England will be focused on ensuring it is not a 3-0 whitewash when they close out the series at Leeds' Headingley Stadium next week.

Wane says he is now "obsessed" with ensuring his side leave the series with a win on the board.

"That's really important, they'll be obsessed to get to win 3-0, and we need to be obsessed to make it 2-1, I've just said that to the players," Wane added.

"So that has to be our obsession, starting tonight and [with the] review tomorrow. It's going to be a tough week, but if you want it the most you get it next week."

First Test:

Second Test:

Third Test: Saturday November 8, Headingley Stadium, Leeds

Tags:

rugby-league news id:13460725

Share this article

Related Posts

Good Friday derby: Head coaches Matt Peet and Paul Rowley receive same message ahead of St Helens vs Wigan Warriors

Good Friday derby: Head coaches Matt Peet and Paul Rowley receive same message ahead of St Helens vs Wigan Warriors

For St Helens head coach Paul Rowley and Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet there has been one simple message delivered to them by fans: Beat 'that l...

Willie Peters challenges Hull KR to channel emotions and end his tenure on a high before NRL return

Willie Peters challenges Hull KR to channel emotions and end his tenure on a high before NRL return

Willie Peters has challenged his Hull KR players to channel the emotion of his confirmed end‑of‑season departure into writing a final chapter fitting...

Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty ready for emotions surrounding Leeds Rhinos derby: 'We want to put on a show!'

Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty ready for emotions surrounding Leeds Rhinos derby: 'We want to put on a show!'

Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty knows that this week has been a little bit different as his side prepare to face Leeds Rhinos in Super League...

Hull FC 24-20 Catalans Dragons: Black and Whites hold off second-half fightback for successive Super League wins

Hull FC 24-20 Catalans Dragons: Black and Whites hold off second-half fightback for successive Super League wins

Hull held off a spirited second-half Catalans fightback and earned back-to-back Betfred Super League victories with a 24-20 win at the MKM Stadium.Hul...

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs two-year deal with Wakefield Trinity from next season in shock move away from NRL

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs two-year deal with Wakefield Trinity from next season in shock move away from NRL

New Zealand Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has signed a shock two-year deal with Wakefield Trinity in an unexpected move away from the NRL.The 32-y...

Paul Rowley: St Helens head coach interested in taking charge of England for Rugby League World Cup

Paul Rowley: St Helens head coach interested in taking charge of England for Rugby League World Cup

St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has expressed his interest in the vacant England head coach job, saying he has a "burning desire" to coach his countr...