Rugby league legend and Australia head coach Mal Meninga has shared his thoughts on the upcoming Ashes Test series against England.
The series is the first since 2003 and it will also be the first time these two have faced each other since the 2017 World Cup Final in Brisbane.
Meninga himself is no stranger to the Ashes, having played in a record four of them as a player: 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994.
Now it’s his turn to coach them in such a historic rugby league event, he is as excited as most about the game.
He said: “The Ashes series between Australia and England is what our international game has been built on. I think it is the ultimate.
“We love the history, which goes back to 1908 and 1909, but we haven’t had a chance to play England since 2017 and from an Ashes point of view, we haven’t played since 2003.
“To be able to play at Wembley, at the new stadium in Everton, where no other team has been before, and then going back to the tradition of Headingley, that is exciting.”
Whilst England have hosted both Tonga and Samoa in recent years, Australia have opted instead to compete in the Pacific Cup a little closer to home.
Rugby League legend and Australia coach Mal Meninga relishing Ashes series against “very formidable” England
The Australian head coach reflected on Australia’s last encounter with England as well as both sides’ recent international form.
He added: “I thought that game in 2017 was one of the best games I have ever been involved with as a player or a coach, given the quality and the closeness of the game.
“The execution and commitment by both teams was extraordinary. We had to work really hard and if we didn’t prepare really well for that game, England would have won.
“Maybe they should have won but it is one of the best games I have been involved with as a player and a coach given the quality and the closeness of the game.
“From what I’ve seen of the England team in recent times against Tonga and Samoa, they are a very formidable rugby league team.
“We have had a bit of success in the Pacific Championships so we are looking forward to using this Ashes tour as a lead into the World Cup.
“We want to play our best footy when we put that Kangaroos jersey on, so it is going to be enormous.”
Meninga will spend the majority of the season watching the NRL before finalising his squad but admitted that he is likely to stick with what has worked in recent years, especially from last year’s win in the Pacific Cup.
He finished: “I like to be loyal, but a lot of things can happen in the coming months and I think it will make everyone more excited about staying fit, playing really well and being available to be selected.
“I know that even last year when we were in camp for the Pacific Championships, one of the aims of the team was going back on a tour and a lot of the players who were involved in the World Cup really enjoyed the atmosphere that the crowds in England brought and the stadiums over there.
“We also want to make a statement leading into the World Cup in 2026, so it is an important part of the journey for us.”
