A tad unfair. Not sure who would be a guaranteed improvement on Briscoe, and Yeaman has run back into some very good form last season so not a controversial selection. But who would you have played there?

I agree with the above - Before the tournament kicked off, I had Yeaman and Briscoe in my team as they have demonstrated this year that they work really well together.

Taking into account the last 3 games, I think they have played really well. The defence on their side has been pretty solid, the other wing is where we seem to have problems defending.

At no point did I make ANY suggestion about who would be a “guaranteed improvement” and with a crystal ball none of us can. I am simply saying that if those two are the best that England have then no wonder they are so far behind Australia.

Whether they have done well in a vastly inferior competition counts for little. They are well below the standards required to compete against Australia on a regular basis and I doubt even Superman could coach the side to a win.

Ah, so you agree Mac picked the best selections available. Fair enough.

Hmmm. Quite why you feel the need to put words into peoples' mouths is a curious practice on here FA. I never said that whatsoever.

FWIW, I would have young Foster in my side before Briscoe, Sinfield would never be in the halves, Wilkin would be nowhere near a game, Westwood is an absolute liability and Chase is completely the wrong nationality.

So, no, I don't believe he did pick the best selection available, but, even if he had done so, the quality as I said before is sadly lacking.

WTF? What's your problem now?? Fookin'ell, I try to have a normal conversation with you yet ... ???? I won't bother, it really, really ain't worth it -ENDS-

So, Mac coaches a comprehensive defeat of Australia's frequent nemesis, New Zealand, keeping them well in check for most of the game and comfortably qualifying for the Final. Briscoe and Yeaman in particular played well.

Imagine what could happen if he could only coach . . .

Well he's got the best English players from around the world into a tournament final.

That's an achievement.

However, his club coaching record is still poor

I still don't understand what Widdop has to do to get a game?

Or Wilkin not to get a game.

i wouldnt want steve mac anywhere near my team and been an international coach is easy really you expect to beat france expect to get beat by the aussies and you take in turn with new zealand to beat each other

Bring back McNamara now!

If the last couple of weeks have proved anything it is that his recruitment at Odsal was spot on, the attacking and defensive systems he introduced were sensational and the spirit, attitude and motivation he fostered in the squad was immense.

It just happened that, by some weird three year long fluke, results and performances didn't show it.

Indeed. TBH I have no idea whatsoever the point that FA is trying to make here. I do realise that most people find his frankly baffling views hilarious in the extreme but trying to convince anyone that will listen that him presiding over two games (one of which was a defeat) and finishing top two in a three team tournament AT HOME as being a sign of ability whilst conveniently ignoring four and a half years of utter failure is taking blinkered stupidity to a whole new level that I must admit I didn't even think that FA was capable of.

Clearly he is on the wind-up.