Jon Wilkin criticises Shaun Wane for “inflammatory language”

In the third and final test at the home of Leeds Rhinos, England completed a series whitewash against Kristian Woolf’s Tonga.

It was certainly England’s best performance of the series and perhaps their best since they thrashed Samoa in the opening game of the World Cup last year at St James’ Park.

The opening try for Warrington Wolves star Ben Currie after good work from John Bateman, Harry Newman, Tom Burgess and Harry Smith typified the attacking display from Shaun Wane’s men.

But if you needed further evidence, just look at the final try which was undoubtedly the try of the season. This was because of a great move down the left before Smith kicked back to the right with Newman, the Leeds star, scoring at Headingley.

This shows what England can do after Shaun Wane felt his side were disrespected at times. In truth, Wane has been developing a siege mentality from the opening game criticising Paul Wellens for joining Tonga before the opening test.

Wane then hit out at the comments from the Tonga camp claiming that England didn’t win but rather Tonga lost it. He then slammed Tonga on BBC after the second test and added to that in a press conference after the game.

This narrative clearly worked but Jon Wilkin questioned this on BBC. He criticised Wane saying: “It’s just bizarre to me and they’re creating something out of nothing. From the language he’s used in his programme notes in week one to post match interview last week and to the press conference this week; it has all been quite inflammatory sort of language.

“I’m all for creating a villain and I’m all for building a narrative of why his team needs to be good but England already had a pressing reason to be good. That was the World Cup last year and crashing out at the semi-final stage.

“They didn’t need to make Tonga into ‘the big bad Tonga that we need to get a win over because they’re cruel and mean and their words hurt us!’”

Either way, this narrative has paid off with a series whitewash against Tonga.