I would personally pick Gareth Widdop. I think that because he's younger, faster, plays in a better competition, plays with class players around him at club level and is an all round intelligent player. In comparision Sinfield is slow, old but does have an excellent kicking game.

Who would you choose and why?

Brough and Widdop, with Sinfield and Burrow on the bench with two props. I would start the match with Sam Burgess at loose too.

And then move Burgess to prop/second row? With Sinny at 13? Sounds logical

Aye, options for every eventuality.

I think we have Englands new coach on this forum............. lets hope they have disabled access 'Wheels'

Sinfield and Widdop. Roby at Hooker with Burrow on the bench.

1. Tomkins
2. Charnley
3. Watkins
4. Cudjoe
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7. Widdop
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Burgess
11. Westwood
12. Farrell
13. O'Loughlin

14. Burrow
15. Ward
16. Crabtree
17. Morley

Widdop doesn't guide Melbourne around the park. Smith and Cronk do, Widdop plays wide of the ruck. Sinfield guides a team around the park, this is what he does best, this is the role Steve Mac has given him (not a coincidence). Widdop should defo be in the team, but should not be given a role which does not fit his game. So widdop imo should not replace sir Kev. Sir Kev at 13 doesn't work for me. It has to be burgess playing as an extra prop. With maybe Todd Flanders in the back row or off the bench.

If Ellis is fit I recon he will be a shoe in, I recon Hock will be in there too.

Cannot really make a proper judgement as I don't see enough of widdop. The only time I have seen him play in recent times was against us in the WCC and in that performance I would have to say sinny over widdop

Agree with all that apart from the Hock bit. He's too ill disciplined for Test RL IMO.

I don't see enough of Widdop to know really. As people have said above, when I have seen him he's looked more like the sort of player who plays off an organiser. In that respect I reckon he might be a more likely option for Chase's shirt than Sinfield's.

1. Watkins
2. Briscoe
3. Read
4. Cudjoe
5. Hall
6. Tompkins
7. Brough
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Crabtree
11. Westwood
12. Farrell
13. Sam Burgess

14. Gareth Ellis
15. Luke Burgess
16. Hock
17. Sinfield

Don't know about that

Have i misread that? Watkins at full back? For England?



I hope he isn't even playing full back at Leeds for much longer!

Yet to see much from Jack Reed that we don't have available here. Maybe I'm missing something. For me:

Tomkins

Charnley
Watkins
Atkins (if head in right place)
Hall

Sinfield
Widdop

Graham (if in form, not seen any NRL)
Roby
Mossop
O'Loughlin
Westwood
Burgess

Hill
Burrow
Farrell
Hock

Bit light on props I guess, but Burgess can move forward in the interchanges and Hock certainly adds size and power. Was tempted to leave Hock out on ac of brainfart propensity, but he does offer attacking threats that we don't get from anywhere else.

Most of the pack players I'd see as being starters or bench players fairly interchangeably. I'd favour using Hock from the bench though and O'Loughlin and Westwood are among the better defenders so I'd personally start with them.

That would be if I had to pick now, lots of season left yet for that to change.

Scope for Ellis to play his way back in, but for me wasn't one of the better performers last winter before injury. In reality I'm sure he'll play if fit though. I'm not picking the team after all. Which is probably for the best.

Going on current form I think George Burgess will be pushing for a spot, been playing like an animal for souths

Maybe a sensible compromise (especially seeing as Tomkins is suspect in defence)

Sinfield and Tomkins in the halves
Widdop at FB

We need a quick halfback to partner the organising Sinfield. Not sure it's Widdop, but plenty of time for players to show what they've got. Will be interesting to see if Brough can be consistent.
I like Hock as a sub, he can make an impact either at 2nd row or prop. How much he plays can depend on the state of the game - if we're winning do a McDermott and don't use him.
Tomkins has to be at fullback.

At Least with Brough in the team we'd have a bona-fide open play kicker in the side, who has the boot to go for 40/20's.

Sinfield will play regardless as he is captain, therefore I'd go with:

1) Tomkins
2) Charnley
3) Cudjoe / Watkins
4) Reed
5) Hall
6) Widdop
7) Sinfield


Hill
9) Roby
10) Mossop
11) S.Burgess
12) Farrell
13) O'Loughlin

14) Burrow
15) G.Burgess
16) Graham
17) Ellis................. if fit?

I'd have an impact bench!

I'd go with:

Tomkins
Briscoe/Charnley
Watkins
Cudjoe
Hall
Sinfield
Brough
Graham
Roby
Hill
Westwood
Ellis
S Burgess

Burrow
G Burgess
Crabtree
Hock

Still out suspended. Should be hungry by the time he returns, just so long as he doesn't bite off more than he can chew.

_________

I expect the captain will play and if he does I expect he'll play at six.

Tomkins

Hardaker
Watkins
Reed/Cudjoe
Hall

Sinfield
Widdop/Brough

Graham
Roby
S.Burgess
Westwood
Ellis/Farrell
O'Loughlin

Burrow
Hock
Hill
G.Burgess/Crabtree

Have bracketed a few because I haven't seen enough of the NRL players and have no idea how Ellis will come back from injury.

Peacock in with Burgess to 2nd row, Westwood to bench and Crabtree out should JP decide to unretire.

Ratchford, Charnley, Ablett, Myler, Lomax, Carvell, Clark, McIlorum, JJB, Ferres to round out the squad.

[url=http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_11528-inu-suspended.htmlJames Graham will miss one match after being charged by the match review committee for dangerous contact during a Holden Cup clash.[/url

Graham will be available to face the Roosters on April 12.

From the limited NRL I have seen wouldn't have widdop in the team or reed either Watkins and either cudjoe or Atkins in the centre for me

Thanks for the update wheels - in truth I don't follow the NRL - does it show? www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 271tw.html I particularly liked this bit: Quote ="Daniel Anderson" He said he saw the prop ''goaded on a number of occasions'', but that Graham ''didn't retaliate; he didn't really react other than to just get on with the game'''" Hardly an accurate description of the player charging off the bench while frothing at the mouth to replace Fa'asavalu in March 2009 and no-one was even goading Graham then - although in fairness that was after Anderson's time in charge at Knowsley Road.

Thanks for the update wheels - in truth I don't follow the NRL - does it show? www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 271tw.html I particularly liked this bit: Quote ="Daniel Anderson" He said he saw the prop ''goaded on a number of occasions'', but that Graham ''didn't retaliate; he didn't really react other than to just get on with the game'''" Hardly an accurate description of the player charging off the bench while frothing at the mouth to replace Fa'asavalu in March 2009 and no-one was even goading Graham then - although in fairness that was after Anderson's time in charge at Knowsley Road.