Today 13 players picked up their first caps for England and amongst them was one of Super League’s most impressive young players in the shape of Wigan Warriors halfback Harry Smith.
Wigan fans might have been worried that he was injured however when he went off however Shaun Wane has confirmed there was no injury and that he just wanted to look after Smith who has a short turnaround ahead of the game against Hull FC on Thursday:
“No they play on Thursday. They’re at Hull on Thursday and I want to look after him the best I could.”
Wane also gave his assessment of Smith’s debut:
“He was good. I think he can do a lot better. He did some really good things. But I know him, I know he can do more, he can do better.
“It was a good debut but not mind blowing.”
In playing Smith it meant Hull KR star Mikey Lewis was left out alongside Warrington Wolves’ Josh Thewlis.
Wane opened up on the difficult chats with both: “Having that conversation with him and Josh wasn’t easy. Normally I find it quite easy but that wasn’t.
“The way they have trained and handled themselves they have been impeccable and they are a credit to their clubs.
“I am so impressed. The way they have got behind the other players despite the disappointment has impressed me even more.
“They have really put their hands up.”
He said Lewis needs to fix some areas of his game however:
“Yeah, if they keep going the way they are going and Mikey fixes up what he needs to fix he will certainly get a chance.”
