Rugby League: New Zealand 20 - England 18: Late New Zealand try shatters ...

In a perverse way, though, this loss could prove to be the making of the coach and a side with an average age in the mid-20s.

“I’m not sure at this stage, it’s too early,” McNamara said of his prospects of staying in the job.

“I have been focused on giving us the best opportunity (at the World Cup). It’s been a pleasure putting this programme together. I have a brilliant staff and great players and it’s something I am proud of and not something I want to give up easily.”

With barnstorming players such as man-of-the-match Sam Burgess and New Zealand-bound full-back Sam Tomkins at his disposal, McNamara could be forgiven for getting excited about the prospect of taking England Down Under for the 2014 Four Nations.

But for now he is concentrating on making sure his charges recover from this loss. “We are distraught but great credit to New Zealand,” he said. “This is high-level sport and high-level sport can be cruel. It was for us.

“I’m not going to try and pick them up yet. They’ve used every ounce of energy. It’s raw and we had a brief chat about how tough we’ve been.

“All of them, every single one, have put their hands up, have prepared brilliantly. They have attacked this tournament. We have dealt with things, maybe other teams haven’t. That’s what this England team is all about and we’ve come through the other side and produced a brilliant performance.”

Johnson’s late show means the Kiwis will defend their trophy in Manchester.

But coach Stephen Kearney admitted he had not been able to watch the try and subsequent goal.

“I was under the desk so I don’t know,” he said when asked how he dealt with the late drama.

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/425539/Dylan-Hartley-grateful-for-final-England-chance

Rugby League: New Zealand 20 - England 18: Late New Zealand try shatters ...