Shaun Wane admits the decision to leave Jake Connor out of the England squad was not a hard one.
The Man of Steel was a notable omission this afternoon when the 24-man England squad was announced, with Mikey Lewis, George Williams and Harry Smith selected as the halves to face Australia in the three-Test series.
Connor hasn’t been named in an England squad since Shaun Wane took the job back in 2020, ensuring his last experience of international rugby league came with Great Britain, under Wayne Bennett, who he featured under regularly under.
The Leeds Rhinos man has made himself a hard man to ignore with his form in a blue and amber shirt under Brad Arthur. But, Wane is still of the belief that Connor hasn’t quite been good enough this season with the England coach admitting he wouldn’t be swayed by Connor picking up a Dream Team selection and the Man of Steel award.
Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.
Shaun Wane explains Jake Connor snub
“Not really difficult,” Wane said at his press conference earlier this afternoon in Worsley. “He’s a very good player, Jake, there’s no doubt about that.
“I spoke to him in the week and he’s going to be available for the World Cup next year. When I’m picking the squad, the thing you will never hear from me is ‘he’s the Man of Steel, he needs to be in’.
“I don’t know who picks the Man of Steel, I don’t know what goes into it, I don’t know who was in the Dream Team, that doesn’t come into my reckoning. I just watch the players player I think who could do a fantastic job against Australia.
“It’s more about his form than anything else. He took it well, he’s a really good lad and I’ve lots of time for him but there’s other players not got into this 24 and I don’t see the obsession with why every single person… the Man of Steel, it just doesn’t mean anything to me.”
Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.
1 Comment
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
International Rugby League
Shaun Wane teases Mikey Lewis role and lifts lid on double England injury blow
International Rugby League
Ex-England man makes ‘blessing in disguise’ Ashes point amid clear weakness
International Rugby League
James Graham slams “absolutely disgraceful” decision against England in second rugby league Ashes Test
International Rugby League
Australia star Cameron Munster lifts lid on what prankster said to him after national anthem stunt
Jamie
October 13, 2025 at 10:03 pm
MoS is a flawed concept. Jai Field robbed of it this year, just like French was robbed last year. Matty Peet was robbed of coach of the year last year, too. Rugby League is dying, IMG is the final nail. They’ve turned it into a WWE clown-show. The game is so corrupt now, theu’re not even trying to hide it. The Grand Final was the final straw for me as a fan. I’ve been watching Wigan since the early 90’s a a young kid, I wont be going to another game ever again. Wont be watching on tele, either. The game is an absolute disgrace compared to what it once was. IMG orddring the outcome, giving their orders to bent refs, the disciplinary panel isn’t fot for purpose, & to top it off, I despise the ‘family game’ fans. Our (Wigan) fanbase is one of the worst in the comp, a bunch of unbearable family game weirdos who I & many others can’t stand to be around at the games, & they’re even worse online. All the aforementioned crap os turning proper fans of proper rugby away from the game. The sport has less than 10 years left, & it’s only got itself to blame.