McNamara belives Origin is no longer RL’s pinnacle

England coach Steve McNamara feels that State of Origin is no longer the absolute peak of rugby league.

The Sydney Roosters assistant believes that the best players in the sport now hail from New Zealand, and there are plenty of English players who are now amongst the best too.

“We’ve all looked at it as the best players playing against each other over the last 10 years,” he told reporters.

“Well it’s a great concept, but not all the best players in the world are in that competition.

“A lot of the best players in the world are New Zealand players and, dare I say it, English front rowers who are playing in the NRL.

“The dynamic for me has changed on that. We all admire it and really enjoy watching it – but now there’s quite a few of the best players in the world not involved in it. It’s not quite best versus best.”