Steve McNamara has spent over a decade plotting ways to stop Greg Inglis - but insists there is much more to Catalans’ Challenge Cup test tonight than containing the Aussie superstar.
Inglis made a try-scoring debut for the Dragons’ opponents Warrington last weekend after a lengthy road to full fitness following his retirement in April 2019. There were brief flashes of the 34-year-old’s former magic against Hull KR, and McNamara expects a further improvement when he faces his French side.
But the Catalans coach is also fully aware of the threats posed by the Wolves elsewhere, not least after their 24-8 win in Perpignan two weeks ago. McNamara said: “The first time I coached against Greg was when I was assistant for England in the 2009 Four Nations. I just remember there being some big shifts to the left edge by Australia, and I think it was Lee Smith who played centre and had a hell of a job on his hands.
“Then in Australia I coached against him when I worked at the Roosters and the Warriors. He’s had an incredible career, he’s looking for a swan-song here, and it’s a bit like riding a bike, you never forget how to do it.
“If you give him any sort of space you’re in trouble - we saw that on Saturday when he scored a try on the short side without much time or space.
“But it would be an injustice to that Warrington team to just speak about one person - they are packed with outstanding individuals all across the park.
“It’s a good challenge for us and in recent times we’ve had some really big games against Warrington with some wins and some losses.
“We weren’t quite at our best the last time we played and they hurt us, but it was a good old tussle and we’re not looking to re-invent anything.”
While Inglis is set for a key role, McNamara remains without his own high profile three-quarter Israel Folau, who is still Down Under for personal reasons and saw a potential move to St George Illawarra fall through.
McNamara added: “His family situation is the same and it’s really difficult for him to return. We haven’t used his salary cap space, still have his registration and he’s still on the list as such.
“He hasn’t managed to secure anything in Australia so I’d never say never about him returning - but we fully understand his family situation and it’s impossible for him at the moment.”
