McNamara aware of French threat

The national coach had come in for criticism in some quarters for sticking by the mercurial Rangi Chase and Leeds Rhinos’ Kevin Sinfield as his playmaking duo for the tournament.

Many believed Huddersfield 
Giants’ captain Danny Brough – who has led rank outsiders Scotland to the last eight – should have featured in the mix or perhaps Melbourne Storm stand-off Gareth Widdop, who has so far only had two brief appearances off the bench.

However, as England prepare for Saturday’s quarter-final against France, McNamara’s first-choice pairing have shown genuine signs of gelling and bringing the sort of creativity for which his side has been crying out.

“I’m really surprised this question has been raised,” he said, when asked if he felt vindicated by his decision to stick with Chase and his England captain at half-back.

“I think they have been really good for a long period of time.

“They’ve had some chances to be consistent together and that certainly helps in terms of a combination.

“All the great half-back combinations – in club or international careers – are about spending time with each other.

“You look at the Australian team with (Johnathan) Thurston and (Darren) Lockyer and Cameron Smith and (Billy) Slater.

“They took out Lockyer and put (Cooper) Cronk in. They play a lot together at club level, some of those players, and international level, and it pays dividends.

“I am pleased with Kevin and Rangi, but also with the contribution of the others as well.

“We’ve got some pretty dynamic combinations (at half-back) and plenty of options in that area.

“Everyone has got to be on their toes ready to play and I don’t exactly count the number of tries, but is it 18 in three games?

“We’re scoring points, which is pleasing, but the ferocity of our defence last week was a real improvement for us also.”

McNamara expects to need the same ferocity shown in that 34-12 success over Fiji when they seek a semi-final slot this weekend.

Though France lost 22-6 against Samoa on Monday night, their final Group B game was a hugely physical encounter which had been level after an hour.

Samoa had three players put on report in the first half at Perpignan and McNamara admitted: “It was pretty brutal at times with a lot of physical contact.

“Both sides knew they were going to progress into the quarters, but I thought there was a lot of intent from both.

“I think France are going to be a really tough team. They showed that and they stood up to Samoa.

“They were brave and pretty heroic at times under some real pressure.

“They have got a lot of spirit within their team, so they’re dangerous opposition for us.”

France have just one win, however, having edged past Papua New Guinea 9-8 at Hull KR before being vanquished 48-0 by New Zealand.

Also, they have only managed two tries all tournament – England’s Leeds Rhinos winger Ryan Hall alone has scored three times as many in the World Cup – but McNamara insists there will be no complacency especially after the hosts’ shock friendly loss to Italy.

“We’ve covered that and already learned lessons from it, probably in the Ireland game,” he said.

“It was a sharp lesson before the tournament started and I knew if you weren’t ready to face anybody then you would get beat.

“I actually said that on numerous occasions to a lot of you regarding the whole tournament.

“I don’t think we were all quite convinced it was going to be the case.

“As the tournament panned out, it has proved to be the case, not just for ourselves but for other teams as well.”

McNamara, who has a fully-fit squad, is definitely expecting a sterner test from France than the last time they met when they won 48-4 at Salford 12 months ago.

He believes they are improving under Wakefield Trinity Wildcats coach Richard Agar.

“All the signs suggest, with the way Catalan Dragons are developing as a club and the amount of players they are producing, they are going to be a threat moving forward,” he said.

“Certainly this weekend, in a quarter-final, it’s winner takes all and the loser goes home.

“There is no extra motivation needed for either team.”

Samoa will be without both Leeson Ah Mau and Sauaso Sue for Sunday’s quarter-final against Fiji after they were handed one-match bans for striking with the shoulder and tripping respectively against France.

Meanwhile, Ryan Whitcut has stood down as joint-chairman of Bradford Bulls following “conversations with the governing body of the RFL”.

Whitcut, who first arrived at Odsal as general manager last year when Omar Khan brought the West Yorkshire club out of administration, said: “Although I am disappointed, I am confident the new team I brought together will help the club move forward and take it back to where it belongs as an industry leader.”

His departure leaves Mark Moore in place as chairman alongside board members Ian Watt, Andrew Calvert and CEO Robbie Hunter-Paul.