Toronto Wolfpack coach Brian McDermott is being hammered online after failing to show up to the post-match press conference following his side's loss to Salford.
Toronto slumped to their second straight defeat to start the season after the Red Devils scored two late tries for a 24-16 victory.
Trailling 16-4 early in the second half, the Wolfpack fought back into the match, levelling the scores with 12 minutes remaining.
Dan Sarginson and Niall Evalds each scored for Salford in the space of two minutes, giving the Red Devils their opening win for 2020.
MORE: Wolfpack go down to Salford
Super League newcomers Toronto are now 0-2 after a first-up defeat to Castleford last weekend.
After the match, McDermott failed to attend his regular press conference.
The coach later released a statement via club, saying there was a miscommunication.
“My apologies to the media and the press along with the Salford and Toronto fans for missing press conference,” the statement read.
“It was not an intended action, but a genuine mistake. There was a bit of confusion after the game, as I waited outside my dressing room for a long while, waiting to be called in for the media.
“I assumed they didn’t want to talk to me as the losing coach for today’s match.
I’d obviously got it wrong, and that was my error.
“Credit to Salford on their win, they handled the tougher periods of the game better than we did.”
Statement from Brian McDermott regarding the post-game press conference pic.twitter.com/x1Gri7GKnC
— Toronto Wolfpack (@TOwolfpack) February 8, 2020
The excuse from the veteran coach didn't go down well with fans and rugby league followers.
With more than 400 games experience, it doesn't seem like a simple matter of miscommunication could cause him to miss a press conference.
— Leon Colley (Stoop) 🏴🏉⚽️🎯🏈 (@LeonColley4) February 8, 2020
— Jo (@jgaukroger22) February 8, 2020
— Briggsy900 (@briggsy900) February 8, 2020
Hmmm, not sure about that one..... pic.twitter.com/QUblgGaNs1
— Neil Johnson (@neilmjohnson72) February 8, 2020
— Ian White (@_knocker_white) February 8, 2020
— Dean Moxon (@tigerdeano) February 8, 2020
— lee brown (@lee99_lee) February 8, 2020
— Mr Man (@magickman1970) February 8, 2020
— Nick Oakley (@free_oakers84) February 8, 2020
— Darkstep (@Darkstep7) February 8, 2020
— Leon Colley (Stoop) 🏴🏉⚽️🎯🏈 (@LeonColley4) February 8, 2020
#FULLOFSHIT 😂 pic.twitter.com/V6uJ14D3v3
— Lee Gibson (@LJGibbo) February 8, 2020
