Australian rugby league great Paul Gallen has launched a blistering verbal assault on England's national team, questioning their mental toughness just days before the highly anticipated Rugby League Ashes series kicks off.
The former Cronulla Sharks captain didn't hold back in his assessment, becoming visibly emotional as he tore into England's prospects during a passionate television appearance. "They're just not tough enough," Gallen declared, his voice rising with intensity.
Wane's Mind Games Dismissed as 'Pointless'
Gallen specifically targeted England head coach Shaun Wane's attempts to rally his squad, dismissing the motivational tactics as fundamentally flawed. "All this talk from Wane about firing up the team - it's meaningless if the players don't have that innate toughness," the NRL legend stated.
"You can't coach mental strength. Either you have that Australian-style resilience or you don't, and from what I've seen, England simply don't measure up."
Ashes History Looms Large
The comments come at a critical juncture in international rugby league, with England desperate to end Australia's long-standing dominance in the Ashes rivalry. The last series saw the Kangaroos emerge victorious, extending England's wait for silverware.
Gallen's outburst has added significant spice to the buildup, creating a genuine war of words that promises to raise temperatures when the two nations collide on the pitch.
Psychological Warfare Before First Whistle
This type of pre-match psychological warfare is nothing new in Ashes contests, but Gallen's particularly personal and emotional delivery has taken the mind games to another level.
"They can talk all they want about being ready, about being motivated," Gallen continued. "But when you're facing that Australian jersey, when you hear our national anthem, that's when you find out what you're really made of. And history shows England usually come up short."
The stage is now set for a potentially explosive opening Test, with England players undoubtedly using Gallen's comments as bulletin board material as they prepare to prove their doubters wrong.
