Does Steven McNamara have a role at present with the England team, as assistant coach to Wayne Bennett?

The reason I ask is that after the Sydney Roosters vs St George-Illawarra game on Sunday (in which the Roosters won 42-6) McNamara, who is an assistant coach at the Roosters, came out on to the field and was seen talking with English Test candidates Gareth Widdop and Michael Cooper. The two players were very attentive to what McNamara was saying (which was not audible to we TV viewers).

ex England coach talks to his ex playing staff shocker!

He was telling them that he won't be joining them at hull kr next season

The fact that the former England head coach was an assistant at an NRL club speaks volumes. Happy to see the back of him.

Cooper is going back to Warrington. You really aren't as funny as you think you are.

The fact that a former England coach has shown the humility to realise that he needed to learn from the best is a refreshing change IMO. Compare and contrast to the current English head coaches in SL who have done their time learning in the NRL. Oh hang on, none of them have. Maybe that's one reason why SL standards are so low.

I would echo that completely. I've often said we (by we I mean English clubs) often appoint Head Coaches who haven't had a proper apprenticeship. There are a number of Head Coaches in this country who would benefit from a couple of years as an assistant in the NRL and come back far better for it.

I'd argue far too many head coaches are appointed based purely on being ex players at a particular club and haven't gained enough experience in England, never mind Australia.

If I was a CEO at a SL club, I'd be looking for the next Maguire or Robinson - i.e. up and coming assistant at an NRL side. They have shown they can make a big difference in SL. There's absolutely no reason why the next Maguire/Robinson couldn't be an English coach.

Rohan Smith at Bradford being a prime example and test of this theory. He's been an assistant all over for over a decade before coming to Bradford.

Joey Grima was another at London. He didn't make it but has dropped back into a No2 ish type role back in Aus.

Rubbish. Did you notice how bad Craig Sandercock was.

Although he (Smith) may become on of the best coaches in the game, you've picked a very poor example.
Bradford have had a horrible season and not making the top 4 has put them in a precarious position.

Regarding Macnamara, it's good that he is trying to improve his knowledge of the game and all credit to him for doing so but, ANY Great Britain coach should be above assistant level at ANY club, which indicates the poor caliber of applicant for the role, when he was appointed or, what a poor decision it was to appoint him in the first place.

Bennett is certainly a superior coach than Macnamara and we will soon find out if he can steer the GB team to victory over the Aussies.

I want to see if we can play more attractive rugby first and foremost under Bennet; the rugby under McBanana was utter dog turd.

Which has nothing whatsoever to do with Smith, yes the games were there to get us in the top 4 but the players werent. You will see a massive difference when he has his own squad next year. Going from Mathers at full back to Kieron Moss, then not needing a scrum half to having Dane Chisholm he knows what the squad needs and we will be a different kettle of fish next year. To be judging Smith on Bradfords current seaso with a squad built by Ferres and Lowes is ridiculous

Apologies I meant moving forward, principally after a pre-season. Currently Smith is won 9 and lost 5 and has already has his ups and downs. But from next season it'll be interesting to see what the NRL (+ SL and international) assistant coaching experience brings to the Bulls.

And whether or not this will work compared to the prior approach of Lowes and Cummins who both suffered from inexperience and sticking to their guns/stubbornness.

I did say that he may become a good coach but, regardless of who put the squad together, he will have taken on the task, knowing and expecting that a top 4 finish was the minimum requirement.
Yes, he will likely do better next season assuming that Bradford have a similar spend available for their squad.

Bradford not making the top 4 was the biggest shock of all in the Championship.

You're telling us!

Totally agree and wasnt firing back, but I personally believe had we had Smith in charge earlier in the year we would be in the top 4. A lot of games have been lost by 4-6 points which I firmly believe better game management woth the right players (namely Moss and Chisholm) we would have comfotably in the 4. At the end of the day the board let things go on too long with Lowes, but maybe can see why after getting us to the MPG last year.

I get what you mean but that does limit you to only 28 people to pick from and of course not all of those 28 would be suitable or willing to do the job.
I don't particularly care whether the person is a head coach or assistant or any other role as long as they're the most suitable available for the job.