McNamara refuses to point any blame

England head coach Steve McNamara during the press conference Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Henry Browne Livepic

 

 

England Rugby League coach Steve McNamara was “bitterly disappointed” after watching his team exit the World Cup to New Zealand.

A last minute try from Kiwi Shaun Johnson condemned England to a 20-18 defeat at Wembley Stadium in the semi-final of the World Cup.

McNamara said: "We are bitterly, bitterly disappointed. The team showed great determination but sport at the very elite level can be cruel."

George Burgess conceded a late penalty which gave New Zealand the momentum in the final minutes while Kevin Sinfield missed a conversion attempt that could made it a different outcome for England.

McNamara added: “[It would be] very cruel to pin the blame on anybody for that result".
"I cannot speak highly enough of him. If you had a daughter, you would want her to marry someone like him.
"He does the little things when no-one is watching, the sign of a true champion. He is not blessed with outstanding size or power but he gets every ounce out of himself.
"We have got to move on. Right now we are all feeling this, the worst we can probably be, but worse things happen in the world."