
Steve McNamara will still be the England coach in 2015, according to RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer.
McNamara came under fire from Rugby League fans using social media following Saturday’s defeat against New Zealand.
Many questioned his team selection and tactics after watching England again fail to reach a major final.
Since McNamara’s appointment as national coach in April 2010 England have reached only the 2011 Four Nations final.
They failed to reach the Four Nations final in 2010 and 2014, and lost in the semi-final of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
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Their only success came in 2012, when they beat France and Wales to win the Autumn International Series.
But Rimmer, who confirmed McNamara’s contract runs until the end of next year, insisted: “There are some real positives. Our points difference over the three games is zero.
“We filled the gap of Kevin Sinfield, Sam Burgess, Jon Wilkin and James Roby, and Steve brought a young team together to perform 12,000 miles from home.
“We are a better team than we were in the World Cup (last year), and these performances absolutely tee up next year’s series against New Zealand.”
Speaking after Saturday’s defeat, McNamara was asked whether he expected to be in charge of England next year.
“Yes, I hope so,” he said.
