The England head coach, Shaun Wane, has laughed off suggestions that this year’s World Cup has been geared in favour of the hosts. England take on Samoa at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday for a place in the following weekend’s final while in the other semi-final the two sides who between them have won the past nine World Cups, Australia and New Zealand, square off.
There has been frustration from some nations about the logistical operations they have had to endure at the tournament. Samoa have relocated twice after being left disappointed by their base – they moved from Doncaster to Bolton and then on to Manchester. Australia have also switched from their initial training base at the Etihad Campus to Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium.
