Remember how we mocked McNamara as the worst coach in the game.

He took over an absolutely garbage Catalans side last year, it had relegation written all over it.

Now he has them in superb physical condition, playing with a lot of hunger for each other, and playing some good rugby as well - look how they blew the Saints away. They turned up for what was the first big final for most of those players and they were not bothered by the occasion, they were on it from the first set. Even when they had some rocky moments and made mistakes they quickly got it together and put the pressure back on us.

With Tomkins joining they are one or two good signings away from being a real force. The future looks good for the Catalans.

Is it time to reassess McNamara? He spent time on the coaching staff at Sydney Roosters and looks to have come back from the NRL ready to do the business.

Well said ! Getting over the disappointment, it is excellent to see another name on the cup. Mc Namara has seemingly turned a shambolic team ,whose most significant trait was dirty ,niggling play, into a very good rugby playing side. It is only a pity Catalans couldn't have got their act together sooner to get in the super 8s.

Yes he has done well, but that team and that coach were getting pummelled on the pitch early season, notably by us when we nilled them.

McNamara saved his bacon by recruiting Drinkwater. Not the classiest half I've ever seen, not especially quick but a killer kicking game, a sweet pass and ppeerless organiser. He has been a major catalyst and without him Catalans wouldn't be half the team they have become.

I guess you mean the playoffs?

I had a feeling sometime ago,that Catalan would come good,that's why I took a chance in June and put a tenner on them at 18/1.but I must admit,it was squeaky bum time in the last few minutes,I thought you were going steal it.hope you get into the grand final,best of luck.

Not me, I’ve always said McNamara was a good coach.
Now I’d say he’s a brilliant coach.
He should win coach of the year IMO.

McNamara was a bit unlucky to be ditched as England coach after a series win over a good NZ side and generally the results and performances had been improving.

One thing McNamara did with England was break the old "same old favourites" culture that everyone used to complain about. He brought a lot of young players through in to the England team and they had some narrow defeats to the Aussies.

He also seems like a decent guy, he's not one of those "all about me" ego coaches.

I've been slating him (and I wasn't on my own!) for years, thought he was an empty suit who'd been given too many chances. Winning a trophy there, so soon, must feel pretty sweet for him - definitely time to re-evaluate.

On Mcnamara I'm somewhere in between banana-man and world beating coach.
Would we want him as replacement to Price, would Saints have him??... No.

to me, its like how some would like to have had, Challenge cup winning Coach and nothing else, Jon Kear as Wire Coach and others wouldn't.

He deserves his moment but that's it.

Lets not forget that when the dust settles on this era of Wires we will always list Kevin Brown and Tyrone Roberts as half backs in our "worst ever 13". I don't think Mcnamara produced some outstanding coaching display we were just awful and they managed to beat us. just....

if he's that good and his knighthood is in the post I assume he'll win all his remaining games then?

Castleford Away
Saints at home
Wakey away
Hull away
Huddersfield at home

or most likely just two...

To be fair, Cats' form has rollercoastered since their inception.
They've peaked at the right time for a trophy, and good for them. Let'ss see if he's not been sacked in 2-3 years, then we can judge.

Let's not forget, he suffered from the British disease, a few years back. In the driving seat, in the back end of a World Cup Semi-final, and we managed to concoct a heroic defeat, with seconds to go. Plucky old loser. Would any other nation put up with failure. No .

If he wins something else, then he'll get proper plaudits, and good luck to him

Bit more to it than Drinkwater.
They had ore season disruption. Everyone of their french players were in the world cup whereas us and Saints had less than 1/2 a dozen.

The change in Cats fortunes came half way through the season when they were bottom of SL. They played like McNamara's teams have done for the past ten or more years. Good early game play, maybe in the lead then a complete collapse. Hence why they were bottom.
Then the resurgence, discipline changed and so did their defensive structure. The attitude was totally different and so was their play.
I for one don't think McNamara is capable of coaching to that level of ability. I don't think its his input that has made them so good after such a dramatic turnaround.
Who is coaching the team is up for anyone's thoughts. I just don't think that its McNamara. Someone else at the club is coaching to that level, not McNamara.

Huh?
They have powered up the league and won the cup. What more evidence do you require?

Warrington had 9 players in the world cup. Cats had 8. Casty & Simon were not in the world cup.

But thanks to you pal the point is clear...Wire and Cats had disruptive pre season. It too Cats a little longer to hit the straps. Drinkwater having a significant effect...but not complete.