Rugby league legend Ellery Hanley loves ex-Wigan team-mate Shaun Wane to bits but - after his shock return to coaching - fully intends making life “torrid” for the England boss.
Hall of Famer Hanley remains one of the sport’s finest-ever players following a trophy-laden career and he famously brought the Aussies to their knees as both captain and coach of Great Britain.
But now he will be plotting against his homeland after his surprise appointment as the Combined Nations All Stars chief for the mid-season international versus Wane’s England on June 18.
The pair were pack colleagues from the great Wigan team of the late 80s so it will be a fascinating prospect - especially as the last time Hanley coached a side was helping National League Two part-timers Doncaster to promotion in 2008.
However, he has retained a keen interest - “I’ve never really been away from coaching” - and, since 2019, has chaired the Steve Prescott Man of Steel panel.
Getting Hanley, 60, on board brings real kudos to the fixture and he is backing his ability to get the best out of the All Stars team for their one-off game at Warrington.
But what about facing his old pal Wane from that iconic Wigan team that also included the likes of Shaun Edwards and Andy Gregory?
“I know everything about Shaun and how he plays the game,” said Hanley, who was offered the coaching role by All Stars team manager Carl Hall, his old boss at Doncaster.
“I know how he wants to play because he was a tough-nuggeted footie player and that’s what we needed on our side.
"I know Shaun inside out and he knows me as well.
"He's brilliant in terms of the high levels he demands from his players. He was the same as a player and he's just moved over to the role in a tracksuit.
“I have the utmost respect for Shaun and love him to bits.
“But we're going to have a difficult, torrid time when it comes to those 80 minutes in June.”
Hanley replaces ex-Kangaroos boss Tim Sheens who helped the All Stars inflict a 26-24 loss on England in last year’s inaugural encounter - Wane’s first game in charge of the national side.
“It still hurts me from last year,” admitted Wane, who is using the fixture as his main preparation for this autumn’s home World Cup.
“That 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.
"I have the utmost respect for what he's done and how he handles himself. I learned a lot from him as a player and still do now.
“He was the best player I ever played with, without a shadow of a doubt.
“But now I want to beat him."
