IT'S a unique appointment - but only in this country. So said Australian-born Shaun McRae after being named as technical coach to Great Britain for November's Test series against the Kangaroos.

WHITTLE: Coach of the Year in 1996 and now chosen to help plot the downfall of your fellow countrymen. What was your reaction to the news?

McRAE: To be honest it was not a surprise when I was approached by Maurice Lindsay and Joe Lydon because my name had been mentioned - along with Eric Hughes, Matthew Elliott and Andy Gregory _ when it was first revealed that a successor was being sought for Phil Larder. I expect a certain amount of criticism for taking the job but, I ask you, what is the difference between Mike McLennan coaching Tonga, Graham Lowe with Western Samoa or soccer's Terry Venables in Australia? None - except that I will be working against the land of my birth and, as a professional coach, I regard it as a the launch of a new era. Saints are happy about it and, as for the role itself, I believe it to be a pooling of ideas with Andy Goodway in order to produce the right formula for Great Britain to lift the Ashes for the first time since 1970. Obviously I feel honoured and I am ready for a little light-hearted ribbing from the Australian squad, most of whom I know. And I could be joined at Wembley, Old Trafford and Elland Road by my Saints' assistant Mike Gregory, because he is in contention for the fitness conditioner's job with Damian McGrath and Brian Noble.

WHITTLE: To what do you attribute that woeful performance against Paris St. Germain?

McRAE: After agreeing that Saints blew hot and cold I have to say that, following the euphoria of the 12-man win over Leeds, my team were both physically and mentally exhausted, lethargy set in, and to a large extent Saints went through the motions. But let's not forget that Paris have improved under Andy Goodway, and the previous ideology that a side only had to turn up to beat them belongs to the past. To be fair I did not consider Saints 12 points better on Sunday but I never felt we were in danger of losing, and the bottom line is that we earned the vital victory. WHITTLE: Remembering the post-Wembley slump surely you are happy with third place in the table?

McRAE: Some supporters might say "no" after last season's championship triumph, but they are not being realistic in their assessment of a Saints' side that has battled against an horrific injury list and personal problems since New Year. It's been a heavy workload starting with Norweb Challenge against Wigan, a friendly versus Leeds, five Cup rounds, six World Club Challenge matches and 22 Super League clashes - 36 games in all by my reckoning. On balance so far, one trophy and the chance of another in a highly competitive world is not too bad - ask Leeds who have lost four games on the trot.

WHITTLE: Having seen the video have you any thoughts on Bobbie Goulding's appearance before the disciplinary committee today?

McRAE: As I understand it Bobbie is charged with a deliberate high tackle, but the Saints' defence will be that the challenge was mis-timed and not intended to be malicious.

WHITTLE: Items on the agenda at yesterday's RL Council meeting included proposals to restrict the Alliance competition to under-21 and the Academy under-18, while the overseas quota be reduced to four. Any comment?

McRAE: In principle I agree with all three suggestions, but with certain modifications including the right to field three players over 21 at Alliance level - after all they would provide a leavening of experience and any such move would help accommodate a 25-year-old who is out of favour at senior grade. Given that stars like Keiron Cunningham and Danny Arnold played little Academy and Alliance rugby, I still believe that a grooming process is best for most players and to that extent setting the Academy qualifying age at 18 gives a lad breathing space following schoolboy rugby. As for lowering the overseas quota I would go further and set it at three in order to give home-bred talent more of a chance.

WHITTLE: This weekend's break will give the 'walking wounded' the chance to regain full fitness, don't you think?

McRAE: With a home play-off tie tomorrow week (Friday) I am confident that Steve Prescott, Alan Hunte and Joey Hayes will be ready to resume.

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