Wednesday 1 July 2015 11:13, UK
England captain Sean O'Loughlin claims the uncertainty over coach Steve McNamara's position will have no bearing on the side's hopes of success against New Zealand this autumn.
McNamara, who combines his duties as national team boss with a role at Sydney Roosters, is out of contract with both England and the Australian club at the end of the year.
England take on the world's top-ranked side New Zealand in a three-match Test series in November and O'Loughlin expects McNamara to return to the UK for the matches highly motivated.
The 32-year-old said: "It won't be an issue from the players, not from knowing how passionate Steve is about England and how passionate he has been in the past.
"Whatever his future holds, that is in his hands but I think whatever his choice is at the end of this term, I don't think that will detract from his focus about how much he wants to succeed this year."
O'Loughlin was speaking at his former amateur club Wigan St Patricks at the launch of England's new shirt for their autumn programme, which also includes an international against France at Leigh Sports Village.
The Kiwi matches then take place at the KC Stadium, London's Olympic Stadium and O'Loughlin's home DW Stadium.
The Wigan skipper said: "It whets the appetite for the back end of the year and what we have got in front of us against the Kiwis. I'm looking forward to getting the shirt on for real now.
"New Zealand are the number one ranked team coming over here. We have had some real tough battles with them over the last few years and hopefully we can get over the line this time."
England were narrowly beaten by New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup semi-final at Wembley and were then edged out by them in last year's Four Nations tournament, which the Kiwis went on to win.
O'Loughlin said: "I think everyone involved has grown in the belief in the last few years. We have been very close against them, especially in the last two outings.
"But as disappointing as that was it feeds your hunger to go and play against them again and we have got three opportunities to do that this year."
