McClennan guided New Zealand to victory in last year's Tri-Nations

He took time out from his commitments to answer some of your e-mails.

Congratulations on winning the Tri-Nations, Brian. Will it be harder to defend your title than win it?
John Griffiths, Wales

Thanks for that. It will definitely be harder to win it again. Australia will be determined to win after losing to us in last year's final while Great Britain will be a threat. But we want to establish the kind of dynasty Australia did and win a few trophies over the next few years.

It must be difficult choosing your team. Where do you start? is it with your rock in Ruben Wiki or your flair players in the halves, like of Benji Marshall?
Mark Bromby, Altofts

Wigan's Iafeta Paleaaesina is one of New Zealand's rising stars

The first name on the team sheet is generally the captain. But I try to get a mix of youth and experience in the team. You've got your young guys coming through, the middle guys who had played around 10 games and then the experienced guys who have played 20-plus games. It's important that the younger guys get a chance to learn off the older ones. Last year, Iafeta Paleaaesina got to play alongside Ruben Wiki. Two years ago it was Roy Asotasi playing alongside Ruben.

If you could take a player from either GB or Australia, who would you choose and why?
Matthew Bland, Oldham

It's something I don't really think about. It's important to concentrate on what you've got. Great Britain and Australia have some wonderful players but I'm happy with what I've got.

What do you think of the Bulldogs playing Sonny Bill Williams in the right centre position? Would you ever consider playing such big and impact players out of position in your NZ side?
Keith Foster, Hull

The reason the Bulldogs did that was because he hadn't had much football in the last 10 months. It was their way of introducing him to the game again. We did the same in May against Australia. We started him at centre for the first 20 minutes then he moved to the back row. In today's game, most back-rowers can play centre. It's not that hard to do anymore. Wigan have just signed Phil Bailey, who can play at centre or in the back row.

Do you think New Zealand would benefit from having another team in the NRL? It would perhaps give you more options and would give New Zealand a local derby that could be a huge event on the league calendar.
Kris, Glasgow

I'd love to have two New Zealand teams in the NRL. That is the next thing we really have to do. It would increase our base of players. We haven't got as many players worldwide as people think we have. Having a second team would change that. They are introducing Gold Coast next year but a second New Zealand is something that is a fair way off.

How important are France to the international game? Would you like to see them in an expanded Tri-Nations?
Eric, Birmingham

It's very important to encourage France as must as we can. The RFL are doing a great job for international rugby league. Having Catalans Dragons in Super League is a step in the right direction and can only help the French national team. It reminds me so much of what happened back home when the New Zealand Warriors were introduced to the NRL. It helped the Kiwis, and this will do the same.

Daniel Anderson was New Zealand coach before McClennan

Is coaching in Super League something that appeals to you? If so is there any particular club you'd like to coach? Saints maybe?
Perry Hetherington, Batley

I would consider it one day but I've got some things I want to achieve with New Zealand first. I can understand why people talk about Saints, because my father, Mike, was coach there, but Daniel Anderson is a good friend of mine and is doing an outstanding job. I'm just concentrating on doing my best for the Kiwis.

I've read that your dad once poured a pint of beer over a Saints fan who was giving him abuse. Have you ever lost your cool?
Phil, Wolverhampton

I'm not as intense as my father, although I am a lot like him in other ways. If you ask me, it was a waste of a good pint.