World Cup boost for Harry Newman and Paul McShane - England boss' high praise for Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers duo
England coach Shaun Wane says he is a “big fan” of Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman - and has also talked up Castleford Tigers hooker Paul McShane’s prospects of featuring in this year’s World Cup.
Newman, who is back in light training after suffering a broken leg four months ago, was called into Wane’s elite performance squad early last season after being capped by England academy in 2018 and Knights the following year.
The 20-year-old was named Super League’s young player of the year in 2020, despite playing only 12 games before his injury and Wane insisted he is very much in contention to figure in this autumn’s showpiece.
“He needs to improve in quite a few areas, like everybody else, but he is a really good player, a good athlete,” the England boss said.
“He is having an enforced break now, unfortunately, but Luke Gale [the Rhinos captain who tore a pectoral muscle in training last week] is exactly the same.
“I sent Luke a message saying this is a time when you need to get stronger, fitter, better - come back a better player, find a way.
“It is the same with Harry, I like him a lot and I can see me starting with him in October. I am a big fan of his, but like every single other player there are things he needs to get better at.”
McShane has yet to win an England cap, despite being one of the most consistent hookers in Betfred Super League.
He is the reigning Man of Steel and asked what the former Leeds and Wakefield Trinity man needs to do to get into the England side, Wane said: “Defend well, show to me he can handle big bodies.”
He noted: “We play Samoa and they are physically a lot bigger than us.
“I rate Paul McShane, I have always rated him, he is a really really good player and he proved that last year for Castleford.
“His one-on-one D [defence] needs to be better, but I could say that about every England player.
“I am happy with the players, but I am not satisfied with them. I know every single player can improve.”
Wane revealed he was set to speak to McShane last night - along with St Helens’ Jonny Lomax - to go through “the fine detail of their game they need to improve on”.
But he stressed: “When it comes to October and I am picking my team and Paul McShane is playing the way he is, then [he] gets picked.”
Meanwhile, Wane is delighted his assistant Andy Last is involved in day-to-day coaching at Wakefield Trinity - as right-hand man to Chris Chester - after leaving Hull, where he was caretaker boss last year.
“It is very, very important - I am glad he has got a gig with Chris at Wakefield,” Wane said.
“He would have been wasted [out of club coaching], he is a very, very smart, hard-working coach.”
Wane added: “We have [online] meetings every week - me, all the staff, the Knights staff - we watch games and we talk about things for three or four hours at a time.
“I learn so much, they learn so much and Andy Last is a big part of that. I rate him very highly and now he is grafting every day it will keep him ticking over well.”