England boss Shaun Wane believes his side will be “huge underdogs” against Samoa in their Rugby League World Cup opener.
The countdown is on to the tournament, which starts next month with the eagerly-anticipated clash at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Wane is hoping to inspire a home nations win for the first time since Great Britain’s 1972 success. His bold claim that Samoa are favourites to win their contest on Saturday October 15 will come as a surprise to many.
Clearly, the Pacific island has grown stronger with a raft of NRL stars pledging their allegiance to their cause. New South Wales State of Origin half-back Jarome Luai was the latest to turn down the Kangaroos to instead represent Samoa. He followed the lead of his Penrith and Origin team-mate Brian To’o, the prolific winger who is one of six players from the NRL champions expected to be included in Matt Parish's squad.
But Samoa are rated as 20/1 outsiders to win the tournament with Betfred pricing England as 7/1 third favourites behind holders Australia and New Zealand. However, Wane insisted to the Daily Mirror : “Samoa will be one of the best teams at the World Cup. When you look at their squad, they have a strong team not only full of NRL players but NRL players who are playing really well.
“We’ll be huge underdogs in that opener. Samoa will be strong favourites. We need to be very good first up to get the win against them and we know that.”
Wane was speaking today as the RFL announced a Three Lions Week in the build up to the World Cup to encourage more people to get involved in rugby league. Running from September 25 to October 2, clubs across the country will throw open their doors and encourage people of all ages and abilities to “give rugby league a go” through activities, tournaments, and open days, organised by the clubs’ foundations.
Forming part of the InspiredBy campaign linking the RFL and RLWC2021, and aimed at driving participation in the sport before, during, and after the World Cup, Three Lions Week gives people the opportunity to learn from the best - with professional club players invited to come down and join in with sessions. Wane said: “It’s a great concept. I first got involved with rugby league when I was five at my school St Edward's in Wigan.
“Rugby league was all anyone knew. I love the sport. I think it’s the best in the world. And the more we can encourage people to give it a go the better. In the build-up to a home World Cup, when we’ll see the best, most skilful and athletic players across the globe all here in all formats, this is a great chance to show people what the sport’s about.”
Former England captain Sean O’Loughlin features in a special video for the launch. He said: “Rugby League is a sport for everyone and Three Lions Week provides a fantastic opportunity to build excitement and support before the World Cup. The tournament is only six weeks away, and we want everyone to get behind our England teams – whether they are Rugby League diehards or new fans to the sport.
“My old community club Wigan St Patricks will be playing their part and there are loads of others where youngsters first discover the sport, and which are so important in their communities. It’s already been a great year for sport in England with the Lionesses victory in the Euros and the success of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. It’s now Rugby League’s time – and I want everyone to make the most of it.”
InspiredBy is the sport’s largest ever player recruitment drive and is an example of RFL’s ongoing commitment to growing the sport and supporting clubs and their foundations across the country. As part of the campaign, last month the RFL offered community clubs around the country a grant to help them deliver a festival or similar event during August.
Three Lions Week will start the day after the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, as attention turns to the World Cup with the Women launching their campaign against Brazil at Headingley on November 1, and England Wheelchair taking Australia in a heavyweight opening fixture at London’s Copper Box Arena on November 3.
To find out more about Three Lions Week activity and the InspiredBy campaign, please visit: Rugby League (rugby-league.com)
