New England head coach Brian McDermott has signaled a potential comeback for Man of Steel winner Jake Connor ahead of this autumn's Rugby League World Cup, vowing to end what he called the "unfair narrative" surrounding the Leeds Rhinos playmaker.
McDermott, officially appointed on Thursday, described the 31-year-old as a "game-breaker" and confirmed Connor is firmly in his plans for the tournament in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
Connor was controversially omitted from Shaun Wane's squad for last year's Ashes series loss to Australia, with Wane citing form over reputation. But McDermott dismissed concerns about Connor's temperament.
"I think the rhetoric and the narrative around Jake was tremendously unfair," McDermott said. "What nobody can argue is that he's a tremendous player. He's a fantastic player. He's a game-breaker."
The former Leeds coach, currently an assistant with NRL side Gold Coast Titans, has taken the role on a part-time basis until after the World Cup but expressed interest in extending beyond.
McDermott beat a five-man shortlist including current Leeds boss Brad Arthur, Warrington's Sam Burgess, St Helens' Paul Rowley, and former England coach Steve McNamara to land the job.
England's World Cup campaign kicks off against Tonga in Perth on 17 October, with further group matches against France and Papua New Guinea.