England v Tonga: Shaun Wane says hosts expect 'aggressive, tough' second Test
- Published
Second Test - England v Tonga |
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Venue: John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield Date: Saturday, 28 October Kick-off: 14:30 BST |
Coverage: Live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer; live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app |
England coach Shaun Wane is ready for "an aggressive, tough game" against Tonga as his side look to clinch the Test series in Huddersfield.
The hosts narrowly held off Tonga 22-18 at St Helens last weekend to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
And Wane says England are prepared for the Pacific islanders to raise their game on Saturday to keep their hopes alive.
"They will not want to go 2-0 down, we are desperate to go 2-0 up," he said.
"It has got all the makings of an aggressive, tough game - hopefully that's what they'll get."
Tonga, the first Pacific island team to tour England, are ranked fifth in the world - one place behind England - and are a tier two team in name only.
They took a first-half lead in St Helens, but a pair of Tom Johnstone tries after the break turned the game around and ensured England need just one more win from the next two games to secure the series.
The hosts were inspired in their win by 22-year-old debutant Mikey Lewis, who was named man of the match for an all-action performance in which he set up Toby King's opening try before scoring himself.
Lewis was audibly emotional when speaking to BBC One after the game, and Wane was happy to see how much playing for England meant to the half-back.
"It's pleasing for me and something that we really embrace," Wane said. "Last week was all about families, when Mikey and Harry Newman got their caps their families were there, it was very emotional.
"Mikey knows how important it is to represent his country, he is a proud Englishman. Our culture is different to Tonga, we are very reserved, so to see Mikey show his emotion that way, I watched him myself and I was quite touched."
England are set to be captained by Jack Welsby again, with regular skipper George Williams suspended until the final Test in Leeds on 4 November.
At 22, Welsby is the youngest man ever to captain England in rugby league, but Wane has no qualms with entrusting the St Helens player again at John Smith's Stadium.
"For a young kid, he has not captained his club for many games, so to captain his country in the manner he did, I was very impressed," Wane said. "His words before the game were important and justified."
Matty Ashton and Ben Currie have been called into England's 19-man squad for Saturday's second Test.
Warrington Wolves winger Ashton is set to make his second international appearance, coming in for the injured Tommy Makinson. His club-mate Currie replaces Morgan Knowles, who is also injured.
Knowles was ruled out of the series on Tuesday with a thumb injury and Makinson is sidelined with a wrist issue, both picked up during the opening match.
England squad
Ashton, Bateman, Burgess, Clark, Currie, Farrell, Hill, Johnstone, King, Lees, Lewis, McMeeken, Mulhern, Newman, Radley, Smith, Walker, Welsby (capt), Whitehead
Tonga squad
Fainu, Fonua-Blake, Fotuaika, Frizell, Havili, Hopoate, Hurrell, I. Katoa, E. Katoa, Kaufusi, Koloamatangi, Koula, Lolohea, Olakau'atu, Penisini, Sele, Suli, Tatola, Teaupa, Toa, Tupou, Wong