Tim Sheens on enjoying time in England and helping Shaun Wane’s preparations
World Cup winner Tim Sheens says he is loving his time in England and is happy to help Shaun Wane in his preparations for the World Cup.
Sheens, who has spent the last five and a half years in England after guiding Australia to World Cup success in 2013, has been out of the game since quitting as Widnes head coach in October.
The Australian has landed the All Stars job for the June 25 clash with England at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.
Sheens, who has not ruled out a possible return to club coaching, is taking out British citizenship with his wife and says he has no plans to return home.
He said: “People say we’re mad and ask why you wouldn’t go back to Australia but we’re enjoying our time here.
“At this stage we’ll continue to stay and I’ll continue working for whatever I can and then maybe some retirement but with a dual passport so we can come and go.
“When you like what you’re doing, it’s not hard work. When it gets to the point where I don’t want to go to work, I’ll stay in bed and give it up. You can’t do it forever, I understand that.”
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Sheens has no plans to speak to Adam Pearson, the Hull chairman who has hinted he may not release players from his club for the All Stars team, but says he will be sympathetic to the needs of the Super League sides.
With a full programme of league matches that weekend, clubs will be expected to release no more than six players each, with Wane getting first picks.
Sheens added: “We will work within the rules that are set out. Selection will come down to injury and form but, with so many players to pick from, I don’t think one club is going to be badly done by.
“My main aim is to give Shaun a good game and help with his preparation for the World Cup – I can say that now that I’m almost English – but the Australian in me is going to compete and I’m sure the boys will too.”
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Sheens says he would relish the opportunity to coach Warrington’s former Australia international Greg Inglis once more but will not put pressure on players to make themselves available.
He said: “It would be good for the game if he was up for it. If not, there’s a whole heap of other options.
“In some positions I’ve got some of the best players in the game that I can choose from, half-backs in particular.”
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