I agree they've done a fantastic job, and aside from the TV ads it seems to have been done quite cheaply through social media and using contacts to get articles in to newspapers and magazines.

I also think hosting teams in certain cities/areas has helped, the PNG & France players have been in the schools in Hull and this has helped raise interest locally.

The WC seems to be the main topic on the "sports day" section on bbc sports website.
And just seen the WC seems to be the main story on the bbc sports news.

Can't knock the bbc this time.

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/24675754McNamara showing everyone how it's done and failing to negotiate the door properly on the way out![/url

Hopefully there will be some press liaison officers at each stadium to ensure the press get access to the players, accurate stats and are looked after. I know it was a criticism of the Challenge Cup final than the media were not managed as effectively as they could be.

Radio 1 had tomkins interviewing mossop on their hourly news today plus that bbc coverage advert that has been doing the rounds. Thats the 13-30's covered

McNamara will be in for a tough tournament if he cannot handle media questions. The Aussies will have a field day if they think they can get under his skin so easily.

It also makes it very difficult to build on media coverage as there is very little for the BBC et al to use as a sound bite.

Decent RL world cup preview on the BBC red button currently.

He came across as a bloke under a lot of pressure, very difficult week for him, has he got control of the team on and off the pitch.

'got to go boys, got a bus to catch' makes RL look like a tinpot sport



Mourinho would have at least dropped a one-liner before stylishly exiting the press conference.

Hopefully someone will have a word in his ear before the pre/post match tomorrow...

To be fair, he got on Radio2 drive time this evening. The presenters were having a chuckle at the "i've got to get the bus" line as he "stormed" out. If I was an Aussie journo, the first question tomorrow would be "why is James Graham not playing today, Steve?"

I just don't understand why they didn't put a statement out earlier in the week saying that Graham wasn't up for consideration for this game. McNamara could have done an easy explanation, and the pressure would have been off today.

Independent had a double page preview today.
Times had a page and so did Telegraph.

All good column inches

To be honest, today's episode gives them a hell of a lot more to talk about. Can anyone remember what Sheens said today? I haven't a clue.

London Evening Standard had a double page spread tonight with big colour pictures of SBW and Same Tomkins. Offiah partly questions McNamara too. Good coverage and opinions: www.standard.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/

London Evening Standard had a double page spread tonight with big colour pictures of SBW and Same Tomkins. Offiah partly questions McNamara too. Good coverage and opinions: www.standard.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/

Brian Barwick ....... take a bow !

Main story on the BBC Sport site, McNamara walking out.
No such thing as bad press, would a run of the mill cliche filled press conference raise any eyebrows.
Whether or not you like what he did.....he did create a headline.

Just a theory here, and I might be giving SM a bit too much credit, but is there any chance he's done this on purpose?
I call it 'pulling a Mourinho', whereby all of the media attention is on him as a coach storming out of a press conference rather than scrutinising the players ahead of the game?

The pressure on the players may be relieved ever so slightly as a result of this. That is certainly why Jose has deliberately caused controversy in the build up to important Chelsea games in the past.

But like I said, perhaps I'm just giving him too much credit there

Massive well done to McNamara, Hock, Graham, Hetherington, Lenagan and the six walkout SL clubs for all the media headlines they've created for the game this week.

Massive well done for still being a penis.

If it weren't the RFL I'd say it's been a cracking media strategy.
RL has had more coverage in this country in the last few days than the last few years combined.

I think it could have the opposite effect, especially if England lose tomorrow. The daggers will well and truly be out for Mcnamara by the press.

To be honest, whilst there is plenty of validity in asking McBanana questions on his team selection, the preponderance of s and simpletons within the RL press corps is unsettling. If I was faced with a barrage of the usual clueless questions from the likes of Chris Irvine, Peter Smith and Danny Lockwood I'd probably head for the exit too.

I thought that when I first heard the news, but having watched the video he looks genuinely wound up and stressed. I commented the other day that at the launch he looked as if he hadn't slept for days.I guess any of us would be when three years of work essentially comes down to one afternoon with the world watching and ready to stick the knife in.

Everyday this week rugby league has been on the main page of bbc sport.

mcnamara storming out of the press conference was good. it's nice to finally see a bit of fire from the guy

Could be as their wasn't any players or the captain there to be interviewed as well which you often get in those press conferences.