England head coach Shaun Wane has brushed off Kevin Walters’ complaints about the Kangaroos’ travel arrangements, insisting Australia were the ones who booked their own flights.
Walters had criticised the Rugby Football League (RFL) on the Inside Ball podcast last week, claiming England’s governing body had handed his squad “the worst flight possible”.
His comments quickly sparked debate, with the Kangaroos coach revealing his side had even hired a sleep specialist to help them cope with the journey to London. But Wane, speaking at England’s training base after unveiling his 24-man squad, was having none of it.
Wane: ‘They booked their own flights’
“I know that they (Australia) booked the flights,” Wane said with a grin. “I know that, so it just blows what he said out the water. They booked their own flights, I’ve been reliably told that.”
Walters had complained that his team’s late arrival time, 8:15 pm in London, could disrupt their sleep patterns, but Wane appeared unconcerned. “At the end of the day, they’re in business, they’ll lie down and sleep,” he added. “They’ll be good when they get over here, but so will we.”
The Kangaroos are due to land in the UK later this week ahead of the first of three Tests, which kicks off at Wembley on 25 October. The following matches will take place at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on 1 November and Headingley on 8 November.
With both coaches already trading barbs before a ball has been kicked, the stage looks set for a fiery Anglo-Australian series.