McNamara got 'no respect' from RFL

The Rugby Football League has been accused by Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson of disrespecting Steve McNamara in the way they handled his removal as England head coach.

McNamara's contract with the RFL expired after last November's Test series win over New Zealand but the Roosters assistant not was told until almost three months later that it would not be renewed.

The RFL announced the appointment earlier this month of veteran Australian Wayne Bennett as McNamara's successor on a two-year contract and he has arrived in England for this weekend's World Club Series involving his Brisbane team.

Bennett refused to discuss his England role at the series launch in Manchester, preferring to focus on the six-club tournament before his official unveiling later in the week, but McNamara has spoken of his disappointment and his Roosters boss Robinson was damning in his criticism of the actions of the governing body.

"It's probably the lack of respect for what Steve has done over the last five years in the way that the team and the players have developed and the understanding of what England means to players," Robinson told Press Association Sport at the launch.

"That has been under-stated in the last couple of weeks, I think that's really important to understand.

"They've got one of the best coaches in the history of our game and for me it hits hurts to see the lack of respect for what Steve has done. But then I've got the utmost respect for Wayne Bennett.

"I just think the way they handled it was poor. But we know as coaches, they're going to make those decisions.

"Steve is obviously disappointed, to coach your country is an amazing privilege and to have that taken away can be tough."

McNamara, who recently signed a new two-year contract as Robinson's assistant at the Roosters, said he holds no grudges against the RFL but believes Bennett inherits a team in good shape and was confident he would have gone on to win the World Cup in 2017 had he retained the job.