Graham Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I guess it sums up the British game. Our national team is coached by someone who has set his stall out and found his niche in life as an assisstant coach in an Aussie club. Surely we have better coaches for our national team than Steve? Maybe it's that the standing of the international team is so low that nobody else will take it? He's apparently signed up before this recent tournament to carry on as assisstant coach at Sydney Roosters for 2016 and 2017. The Australian Rugby League Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmduck Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Firstly the Roosters are based in one of Sydney's most desirable areas, with all the beaches and close to the city. A lot of people would take a lesser job to move and work there. The fact that he wants to stay there isn't that surprising. I believe Adrian Morley also has a flat there. The Roosters are one of the richest RL clubs in the World. If you are a coach it must be an attractive proposition to work at a club that supplies whatever you need whenever you need it. Also Trent Robinson seems to know what he's doing. If you can't get a Head Coach job, next best thing is probably to work with a coach that can teach you a lot of stuff while you're waiting for a shot at the top job. And, there's another possibility: maybe he wants to migrate here. In that case, any history of well-paid F/T work will help, especially when he gets references from some of the people at the Roosters, like the Head of Channel 9 network and the big bankers on the Roosters Board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 I can understand the situation from his point of view as you point out FD. As our national coach though he should be judged on what he can do to improve our set up and team. I'm sure he's a decent bloke with his head screwed on right. I just don't see what qualifies him to be our national coach apart from him being willing to do it. He's got this job and kept it in a mysterious way! I can't think that anybody seriously thinks he is the best qualified and most successful coach who deserves to continue in this role. I bet if his record is examined he will have coached England to more wins than losses. It'd be interesting to know what his win rate is against competitive teams though. Maybe the best we can say whilever he's England coach is that like some of our best players he is benefitting from seeing how things are done in the game in Australia. The Australian Rugby League Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmduck Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 It's difficult to assess his results. Ranked at #3, England should always beat the teams below them. Even a 25% win rate against the teams above them is probably acceptable. As a comparison, look at Argentina in the RUWC. They would have to consider that a successful campaign but their win rate over the last year is probably only 50% There's no single metric to rate coaches. We'd have to say Darryl Powell is a good coach considering the Cas squad but, Cas still haven't won anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 His results may not have been great as coach, but he has transformed the England RL setup into a much more professional and organised setup. Under Tony Smith in 08 World Cup there was a big Saints/Leeds rift in the camp. Now they have meet ups regularly, train at a world class venue and this shows in a much more cohesive camp which are all signing on the same hymn sheet. The setup now resembles more what other national sports do - cricket, football, rugby union whereas before it was an afterthought put together at the last minute (much like France and the other UK nations). Whether he is now the right man to take England onto the next level is a question that remains to be answered. He has to win the NZ series to stay on as coach in my view (and probably the RFLs too) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 Darryl Powell is a better coach than Steve McNamara will ever be. Saw the bloke working at Featherstone and have seen what he's doing at Cas. Top man. The Australian Rugby League Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 His results may not have been great as coach, but he has transformed the England RL setup into a much more professional and organised setup. Under Tony Smith in 08 World Cup there was a big Saints/Leeds rift in the camp. Now they have meet ups regularly, train at a world class venue and this shows in a much more cohesive camp which are all signing on the same hymn sheet. The setup now resembles more what other national sports do - cricket, football, rugby union whereas before it was an afterthought put together at the last minute (much like France and the other UK nations). Whether he is now the right man to take England onto the next level is a question that remains to be answered. He has to win the NZ series to stay on as coach in my view (and probably the RFLs too) England squad has improved with the extra element of well trained, fit and psychologically strong England players with NRL experience and practices. It would be great if England came out ahead against the Kiwis. NZ are a strong and creative bunch of players who will reveal any shortcomings England have. As for taking England to the next level, that has to be turning 3rd in the world to being as good as Aus/NZ consistently, something we've not been able to do for years and years. This series versus New Zealand (1st, 7th and 14th November) should tell us what we need to know. The Australian Rugby League Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSaint Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I guess it sums up the British game. Our national team is coached by someone who has set his stall out and found his niche in life as an assisstant coach in an Aussie club. Surely we have better coaches for our national team than Steve? Maybe it's that the standing of the international team is so low that nobody else will take it? He's apparently signed up before this recent tournament to carry on as assisstant coach at Sydney Roosters for 2016 and 2017. Can you remind me what the head coach of New Zealand does in his spare time? Oh yes, Brisbane Broncos assistant coach... In my opinion, an assistant coach slot is probably the best position for a national coach to be in. We don't play anywhere near enough international games to warrant a full time slot for a national head coach. At least this approach keeps both McNamara and Kearney involved and watching the game whilst having less responsibilites than a club head coach. It does make sense as long as the infrastructure is in place in the UK for the England team to succeed. Reading the article in this month's RL World about McNamara and understanding much of the good work behind the scenes that has happened during his tenure, I think England currently with McNamara are in a good place. He just needs to take it to the next level and start beating New Zealand and Australia consistently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 Good point re Kearney. I remember Steve Kearney as a player with Storm and was always impressed with his strong professional approach to the game. Met him briefly when he came over here with Storm for the World Club Challenge game while he was an assistant coach at Storm under Bellyache. Steve McNamara and him are so similar to my mind, both tried club head coach job, both struggled, both part time national coaches. The Australian Rugby League Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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