McNamara has no referee issues ahead of Australia clash

England coach Steve McNamara does not have a problem with an Australian referee officiating his team’s Four Nations game with the Kangaroos in Melbourne this Saturday.

Gerard Sutton has been allocated the game, while a Kiwi, Henry Perenara, will referee New Zealand‘s game against Samoa.

“I think it is the same for choosing referees as when choosing an international team,” McNamara told reporters in Australia.

“In the opinion of (tournament referees boss) Tony Archer and his assistants they have deemed that Gerard Sutton was the best referee last weekend and he gets the game with probably the biggest importance this weekend which is our game.

“I don’t have an issue with it.

“That’s the way the rules are now, that is the path that the international games has gone down for this tournament. I’m OK with that.

“People will always questions coaches’ selections on players, I think it is the same with referees, it is a difficult job.

“Gerard Sutton is a good referee, Phil Bentham is a good referee also. Henry Perenara gets his first start this weekend as well.”

England will be wearing a special red and white hooped jersey to commemorate the famous ‘Rorke’s Drift’ Test of 1914.

McNamara is hoping to use some of that history to inspire his men.

“The boys are aware of it. We are all looking forward to wearing the different jersey this week and there is no two ways about it, it is a special occasion when the two countries play each other,” the England coach added.

“To commemorate what was an outstanding feat by a Great Britain team at that stage has certainly been spoken about.

“But it’s not about knocking Australia out, it’s about playing well for England. We have to play extremely well against Australia and if we do that we’ll win the game.”