England rugby league coach to keep close eye on Fylde coast ace Down Under

Harry Rushton (right) had earned his Canberra Raiders deal before making his Super League debut for Wigan against St Helens last season

Fylde coast rugby league ace Harry Rushton makes great first impression at top A...

However, Wane admits he would have preferred the teenage forward from Thornton Cleveleys to have stayed longer with Wigan Warriors before heading Down Under.

The 19-year-old back-rower, a star of Wigan's all-conquering Academy side in 2019, made one Super League appearance last season before joining top National Rugby League club Canberra Raiders on a three-year deal.

Ex-Wigan boss Wane said: “I like the fact John Bateman and George Williams went over to the NRL after they’d won something with Wigan. They wanted to test themselves after proving themselves over here first.

"I’d have liked to have seen Harry stay here for a few years, cement a first-team spot at Wigan and maybe win a few Grand Finals and World Club Challenges first.

“He’s got the opportunity now, he’s chosen to take it and I wish him all the best. But it would have been nice to have seen him playing a few years in Super League first.

“I watch every NRL game as well as every Super League, so I’ll be following his progress from here. He’ll be playing for the junior teams at Canberra first but it will be interesting to see how he goes.”

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