Ellery Hanley wants to help England win the Rugby League World Cup

Newly-appointed Combined Nations All Stars coach Ellery Hanley insists he would love to help England win the Rugby League World Cup.

Great Britain legend Hanley has been appointed as the new head coach of the Combined Nations All Stars, taking over the reigns from Tim Sheens, who is back in Australia in a coaching role with NRL side Wests Tigers.

Although he will be trying to defeat England with a team full of Super League’s overseas stars in June, Hanley insists he wants to provide good preparation for England ahead of the World Cup.

Hanley said: “Yes, it’s there in terms of anything we can do. I do think it’s important that we help England. We all want to see England win a World Cup.

“It’d be no benefit to the England team if it was just a bunch of players coming together. They want a competitive game and that’s what we want.”

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Wane lost his first game in charge of England last June against the All Stars, who won 26-24 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

And the England boss believes Hanley will only better the All Stars this time around.

Wane said: “That defeat makes this game even bigger and it’s bigger because it’s against someone I respect. That’s not to say I don’t respect Tim Sheens but obviously I don’t know him as well as I know Ellery.

“Walk in a room and he’s an icon. You respect everything he says. He doesn’t talk rubbish. Everything he says he means and makes sense.

“I have the utmost respect for him and I’m sure every player and staff member in that All Stars camp will be behind him. It will make it tougher for us which is great for our preparation.”

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