Australian World Cup winner calls out England ahead of rugby league Ashes

Former Rugby League World Cup winner Aaron Woods has asked huge questions of England ahead of the upcoming Ashes against Australia, going as far as to claim that each of New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga would trouble the Kangaroos more than Shaun Wane’s side.

Woods’ comments came before Wane confirmed his 24-man squad with plenty of questions asked since regarding the omission of Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor.

Speaking on Triple M radio, Woods was asked if there was anything that Kevin Walters side would be worrying about when they take on England, with the first Test less than a fortnight away.

“Worries? Not one single bit,” Wood responded bluntly before highlighting why, arguing that those having success in Super League couldn’t crack the NRL.

He explained: “After watching the style of footy and the players that dominated, you’ve got Jai Field and Bevan French for the Wigan Warriors – two Australian players with Field playing majority reserve grade and Bevan French being a dead-set winger out here.

“Jared Waerea-Hargreaves won his last ever game. My old teammate Sauaso Sue was his front-row partner. Watching that game, it’s attack-orientated and they want to throw it around and they move really quick with the ball in hand.”

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England tipped to ‘really struggle’ defensively as Ashes chances rubbished

It has long been said that Super League is a more attacking competition and that may well be true but it led Woods to argue that England would ‘really struggle’ in defence against Australia, partly due to a differing tackle style and technique.

Woods, who played the last time England faced Australia way back i the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, claimed: “Defensively, they’re going to really struggle against Australia with just the way that we tackle.

“They tackle up so when you put your kick chase in, a lot of sides in England like the contact so they’ll put a shot on and you can bounce, spin, find your front and get a quick play the ball.

“These blokes, the Yeo’s and others hit together and instead of letting you find your front, they lift you and drive you back and it ruins your set straight away. I don’t know how they’ll handle the defensive intensity of Australia.”

He then also questioned selection, stating: “They’re getting blokes like Brimson who can’t make an Australian or a Queensland squad to go over and play for them.

“I think Tonga, Samoa or New Zealand are a better chance of beating Australia than England are of beating Australia.

“To be honest, I’m probably more interested in watching the Pacific Championships.”

There’s no doubt that the Pacific Championships will be very competitive with a number of players declaring for their nations of heritage, but to diminish the Ashes because of a belief England will be wholly noncompetitive is a bold statement.

It’s also worth noting that England have a cumulative record of 5-0 against Samoa and Tonga across the past two years.