Sean O'Loughlin would have preferred English coach for England
Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
| 2016 Four Nations |
|---|
| Dates: Friday, 28 October to Sunday 20 November |
| Teams: England, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland |
| Coverage: Selected games live on BBC TV, radio and streamed online |
England captain Sean O'Loughlin says he would have preferred an Englishman in charge of the national team, but is looking forward to working with Australian Wayne Bennett.
Bennett, 66, was appointed head coach in February, succeeding Steve McNamara.
"As a patriotic Englishman, you always want everything to be English and everyone involved to be from England," O'Loughlin, 33, told BBC Sport.
"But I think that sport has changed and it is not always about that now."
England face Australia, New Zealand and Scotland in this year's Four Nations, which will be broadcast on the BBC and conclude at Liverpool Football Club's Anfield stadium.
Bennett is the most successful coach in Australian rugby league history, with seven Grand Final wins.
He has been given a two-year contract with England until the 2017 World Cup and will continue in his role as Brisbane Broncos boss.
"Wayne is someone who has a lot about him," added Wigan forward O'Loughlin. "You know what he has achieved in his career. When I first met him, I was impressed with his focus on the job and the preparations he wanted to do.
"Sometimes you introduce people in order to improve you and that is what the powers that be see Wayne doing.
"Whether we need an Aussie or Kiwi to do that, as long as it is pushing our sport forward, that is the main decision that comes into it."
Making up ground on the NRL
During McNamara's five-and-a-half-year reign, England were runners-up in the 2011 Four Nations and also reached the semi-finals of the 2013 World Cup.
The former Bradford coach's last game in charge saw his side complete a 2-1 series win over New Zealand, the world's number one side.
Despite improvement on the international stage, Australian National Rugby League sides thrashed their Super League counterparts in all three games during the World Club Series earlier this year.
"Looking at the World Club Series games, you will see we haven't bridged the gap. But, with the number of top English players we have produced at international level, we are bridging the gap there," added O'Loughlin.
"We won the series against New Zealand last year, which was a massive step forward for us. We have teams who are more than capable of competing in the NRL. If Wigan went there, we would improve because of the strength of the competition.
"We may not win more games but it would improve our players massively. Coaches and players over here are always looking to get better and we keep trying to bridge the gap."
Return of the two Sams
Full-back Sam Tomkins returned to England with Wigan Warriors after a two-year spell with New Zealand Warriors, but has been unable to play this season because of a long-term knee injury.
Forward Sam Burgess also returned to rugby league with the South Sydney Rabbitohs after a one-season spell with English rugby union side Bath.
"Just having a bloke like Tomkins back at the club is great," said O'Loughlin. "He has been good for the youngsters who have been playing in his position. He is always there to give his opinion at the club, he is a is positive influence.
"Burgess is a phenomenal player and it is great to have him back in an England jersey. He is is an inspirational player and does his job very well. He is very influential on the team and gets the best from the players around him.
"He is a good leader too. With him in the side, you have a better chance of winning."
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@#1 The name you mention relates to the head coach of another sport.
In terms of the England rugby head coach, I'm really glad Wayne Bennett is in charge. I think he will become the missing link in the chain and propel England onwards and upwards.
It would be good to see Bennett appoint a British assistant so that we have someone with experience at the very top level for the future.
Let's hope they appoint referees with consistent interpretation of the laws.
Over the past two months I have attended games at both the Exeter Chiefs and Warrington Wolves. Both were great and made for superb viewing (although the more passionate atmosphere was at the latter).
1 No
2 Don't they?
3 Yet another skill, dimension and tactic
4 Is why Wales lost
5 Stuart Lancaster
6 Washing my hair that month
7 Ask Mitch Garbutt
... anyway, the rugby's on now!
Really looking forward to the Four Nations and will be off to the Coventry, London and Liverpool matches.
Miss old school/classic RL in all weathers but rules were changed to suit Aussies and TV.
Papua New Guinea seem to have been abandoned.
Should Ireland, Scotland & Wales combine in RL as Celtica.
Bennett comes across as being somewhat divisive - this is the last thing that England needs.
"Suppose you're talking about Southern Hemisphere teams."
No. What on earth made you think that?
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32. Posted by Woofwoof
"Which broader skills do you mean?"
Lineout; scrummaging; rucking and mauling; breakdowns and turnovers; and of course continuity ... makes for a much greater variety, more of spectacle and a far greater physical challenge.
"Bennett is a master stroke."
I really hope he proves to be the strategic success we're looking for but my concerns about his commitment to England and not just the money are genuine.
"RL leads, RU copies. Proud to support such a progressive, inclusive sport"
You're right to be proud.
That aside, I think Bennett is a good appointment.
McNamara's time in charge was not a success when you look at it overall - very few wins against the top two (3 against NZ, none against Aus) and only recently (after 4 years) did England start to show any real progress.
The result is that few English coaches and managers get a chance to develop to the top level of the game. It's a real weakness in our sporting model and the blame lies squarely the with our most cynical media...and some fans!
Far more likely for the BBC to have an HYS on show jumping, or tennis, or RU. Much more Auntie's style.
Agree that O'Loughlin must be there on past performance, not current form.
Could the NRL contingent help the England side achieve more?