The big task facing Shaun Wane this week ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final clash against Papua New Guinea at Wigan Warriors’ DW Stadium was settling on a team.
With question marks over the wing spots with Ryan Hall, Dom Young and Tommy Makinson fighting over two spots whilst Marc Sneyd also tries for force his way into the spine, it will have been tough to select a team for this clash.
However, Wane already knows his 17 for the game and admitted it has been tough to leave players out who are used to starting for their clubs.
He said: “I know my team, I’m not going to share it. It’s strong. We’re up against a strong Papua New Guinea team but we’ll have a good dig.
“The lads know the team, we’re happy, we trained really well. We know there’s a massive challenge ahead of us.
“It’s not been an easy few days. I’m leaving people out who never get left out, who always start in their club teams but we’re all friends, we’re a close group, those conversations are not easy but we have to win and I have to pick the team I think are going to win.”
When asked if the team would be similar to the side who demolished Samoa in the opening game, Wane hinted that it would be similar but there would be “a few changes.”
He said: “That was a good team that played that game but there will be a few changes.
“We’ve got a team run yet before Saturday and things can change. We’ll be strong on Saturday.”