Graham is aiming to be loud in both word and deed
St Helens' James Graham, 25, was yesterday handed the honour which is fast resembling a poisoned chalice, Jamie Peacock being crocked before the tourists departed and stand-in Adrian Morley lasting just 10 minutes of their warm-up match against New Zealand Maori.
Losing not only their two natural leaders but also their two front-line props, both genuinely admired and respected in Australia, has certainly left England missing personnel of vast experience and ability ahead of Saturday's tournament opener against the Kiwis.
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Hide AdHowever, in quickly assessing those considered worthy of filling the vacant leadership role, McNamara will equally as swiftly have been reminded of the true quality that remains at his disposal.
In Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess he ignored the claims of two Yorkshiremen who could quite easily have carried the responsibility and would not have looked out of place.