England 24-26 Combined All Stars - Shaun Wane loses first game
Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
| Men's international |
|---|
| England (12) 24 |
| Tries: Farrell 2, Knowles, Davies Goals: Ratchford 4 |
| Combined All Stars (14) 26 |
| Tries: Sio 2, Mata'utia, McGillvary Goals: Sezer 3 Pens: Sezer 2 |
Shaun Wane's tenure as England boss began in disappointment with a 26-24 defeat by the Combined All Stars.
Appointed in February 2020, Wane finally took charge for the first time after replacing Wayne Bennett.
But Ken Sio and Peter Mata'utia crossed for the All Stars - in between Liam Farrell's double - for a 14-12 lead.
Jermaine McGillvary and Sio's second extended the lead and, although debutants Morgan Knowles and Tom Davies responded, it was not enough.
Three-time Super League winner Wane was supposed to oversee an Ashes Test series against Australia last autumn, but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It meant he has had to wait 16 months to lead out England, as the national team competed in an international fixture for the first time since 2018, but a thrilling contest ended in defeat.
The preparations for Wane's maiden fixture have been less than ideal, with players missing due to Super League games taking place this weekend, playing in the NRL, as well as outbreaks of Covid-19 at several clubs.
Skipper Sam Tomkins showed few signs of fatigue with a solid showing after a marathon 16-hour drive from the south of France to avoid quarantine, while Catalans Dragons team-mate Davies, who arrived in a separate car, scored on his debut.
Wigan forward Farrell impressed with two tries, including a superb solo run, but it was two Huddersfield men who made the difference for the All Stars in front of 4,000 spectators in Warrington.
Winger McGillvary, who featured for England in the 2017 World Cup final loss against Australia, managed to burrow over in the corner to remain under consideration for this year's tournament and Huddersfield's Aidan Sezer's 10 points with the boot proved crucial.
England's final warm-up match is against Fiji at Rochdale on 15 October and the hosts begin their World Cup campaign against Samoa in Newcastle a week later.
However, a decision on whether the World Cup will still take place in England this year or be postponed until 2022 will be made next week.
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