James Graham has responded to the suggestion that he should take on a coaching role with England ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, following a call from former coach Wayne Bennett that Graham and Sam Burgess should lead the nation.
Bennett, who led England to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, made the suggestion that Burgess and Graham work as co-coaches, claiming the pair to be his ‘ideal choices’.
“Sam is one of the best players I’ve worked with and James Graham was outstanding during my time with him as English coach,” Bennett said, stating that Graham could be an assistant to Burgess, who is the coach of Warrington Wolves.
Graham has since responded via his podcast The Bye Round, first reacting to Shaun Wane’s exit before responding to speculation about himself and also naming his preferred candidate to coach England.
“Well, initially I was really shocked that Shaun Wane stepped down,” Graham said, before being asked if he felt Wane had been ‘pushed’.
“You’ve got to assume that but with so little run-in time (to the Rugby League World Cup), it’s going to be difficult. I thought what Shaun Wane was building there was enough.”
James Graham reacts to England coaching call
After explaining that he hasn’t coached, it was put to Graham by co-host Charlie White that he would serve as an assistant to Burgess and influence the team in the same way that a captain would do.
To that, Graham responded: “It’s an interesting one, what makes a good representative coach because you’re not having to coach in the purest form. You’re not telling people how to executive and how to tackle.
“You’re setting up an environment really. My experience of international football is setting up an environment and picking the right team.”
As for himself taking on the role, he said: “I’ve not been approached by anyone and my first instinct is ‘No’ because I don’t feel I’ve got the runs on the board to take on such a serious job in such a serious tournament. Part of me thinks that I’d be doing it an injustice.
“I care about England’s chances of winning so me being in the camp, it would be a bit selfish but we all day dream about what we do or what we don’t do so I have been sort of half day dreaming about it.”
Outright asked what his response would be if England approached, Graham admitted: “I don’t know,” something that won’t end speculation.
One thing that Graham did confirm is that he’d not spoken to Burgess about the suggestion but he did name his preferred candidate as Brian McDermott, former Leeds Rhinos and current NRL assistant coach.
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