Diskin's solid but I'm glad he's not in the squad.

Personally I applaud Smith for going for youth, although I really wouldn't have bothered with Lee Smith if he's not going to be around. I would have had Pryce in the squad as centre and full back instead. Not stand off in a million years.

Basically the backs look hopeless, but it's up to them to show they can compete.

Burrow is a decent goal kicker and can also cover 9 and played alot better than sykes did at the WC.
Myler played well against pub teams from france and wales and whilst i think he's got huge potential how he can take the 7 shirt without playing since july is ridiculous.

Sam Tomkins has been the form halfback in superleague this season, Rookie of the year, young player of the year and made the dream team. He deserves a chance to see what he can do.

I don't think he'll play in all the games.
I've watched Tomkins, Myler and Eastmond since they were sixteen years of age and the big thing about Sam is he's tougher than the other two and is a better defender and organiser.

All three should and hopefully will get game time in the four (hopefully five) matches.

I am still not convinced about Burrows habit of getting knocked daft. The last thing you need in a high intensity comp against some of the biggest bruisers in RL is your first choice scrum half being carried off groggy or unconscious, again.

I don't think it's safe for Burrow and I don't think it's sensible for the team. And if one person is going to be accutely aware of how much of a risk concussion is to Burrow it's Smith.

The problem is this the Aussie actually do do this and do do that - look at the last WC how many did they put past us?

To get into the Aussie side you have to be an exceptional player - age is not an issue it is about your ability - Hayne isn't just better than Eastmond he is on a different planet.

The Aussies play in the NRL a league so far removed from SL - the only thing they have in common is the team sizes and the ball shape. Inglis knocks sizeable NRL players around love to see him running at Eastmond!!!

Agreed re Tomkins and Eastmond. But i'm sorry, there is no way Myler should be infront of Burrow. No way in million years...

Agree with most of your post. Providing he's not expected to do the above I don't have a problem with his inclusion.

Myler is the only one out of the three who doesn't seem to react to having the right buttons pressed by the opposition, which would worry me.

Both Tompkins and Eastmond have shown signs of being petulant and easy to wind up at times this year, and you can bet your life opposition coaches will have spotted it too.

I have no issues with Tomkins. Earned his chance.

I've no issue with Eastmond likewise though he's been playing threequarters and not half back. He's certainly not shown himself to be a better 7 than Burrow yet.

Myler however, hasn't played since July. He's done nothing to show he's a better 7 than Burrow and isn't at the moment.

International shirts should be earned on the basis on what you have done not given away on the basis of what you might be able to do in the future.

A lot will depend on how the games are reffed. Personally, I expect the PTB to be quicker than in most SL games. I think Burrow's effectiveness is diminished when the PTB is slow (as is Roby's for example) and has meant that he's been less prominent this year. However, in the context of what are likely to be faster games, his omission came as something of a surprise to me.

Have you ever seen Burrow have more time ont he ball than he did on Saturday, it reminded me of when Edwards used to get the ball and defences used to just stand there to see what he was going to do rather than actually go and stop him doing it.
I think it's been mentioned already though, it was nice to watch Leeds' defence, Smith in particular, actually get up there to stop Pryce moving rather than wait for him to run at them.

The squad is woefully inadequate with or without Burrow. However, at least with him in the team we might have salvaged some semblance of pride. Either we get very fortunate or there's a very embarrassing few weeks ahead for the game in this country.
I fully anticipate the latter.

The only place I really see a problem is the outside back personally and lets be fair, they have that many good centres that they just move no.3 and no.4 to wing. If Hall and Smith play on our wing though at least we will have 2 who are fairly quick and compete in the air. Ill also be interested to see how Shenton goes on and hopefuly Bridge gets the nod over Sykes as he is far superior in the skill level.

Im not as concerned as everyone else with the halves. They are a talented bunch but McGuire has to control things, something he has done well this year.

I was reading on an Aussie forum and 1 Aussie thinks that if our forward pack can dominate, which it does look capable of, and McGuire, Tompkins, Sinfield can kick behind the Aussie defence and we can control territory (like we did in the GF) then we have a chance.

Personally I think he's crazy

I'm not suggesting it'll be any different for Myler, Eastmond or Tomkins but has Burrow defending in the centres against a monster like Inglis scarred Tony Smith away from selecting him? Especially without Senior inside to match up size wise.

It didn't seem to bother him during the World Cup, and I've seen no changes in Burrow's defensive technique or execution that would make a difference.

The Kiwis that Burrow played well against in 2007 weren't pygmies either IIRC.

Does Smith consider Eastmond a centre or a half back? Either way, the players won't get any smaller for him.

Fair enough.

Inglis will just run over whichever half back is there anyway.

The non-selection of Senior is odd after the season he's had and him putting his hand up for selection. Rookie Hall on the wing outside an inferior partner and a strange halfback, doesn't really bare thinking about.

Inglis is the best player in the world and would destroy any top NRL centre so lets forget about that match up and concentrate on our strengths abd where we can win it. The forwards for a start, and the halves arnet too bad at all. We are solid at FB and the wings arent all bad. Extra protection for the centres and we are in with a shot, plus its November in England dont forget.

I'm surprised at you you actually watch the NRL and yet you are still optimistic about England's chances?

If it was over there we would be fooked



But if we pick the right pack and can keep them pinned down with a decent kicking game we will have a chance. We need to get up on Slater though from the get go and not let him have any room to work.

If we are pinned down kick from behind the line with everyone offside and just give him 10. Then get into him and smash him. Like Bradford did to Wesser in the WCC a few years back.

Dont get me wrong though, it wil be a big ask to win but these kids of ours may surprise a few.

Just to add a bit of evenness to my post though...

Slater
Hayne
Inglis
Hodges
Morris
Lockyer
Thurston

We'll just have to trust the pack doesn't match up to that standard and hope for lousy weather.

Indeed.


IMO the 2 of the best players I have ever seen are in that back line.

Inglis and Hayne. Thier skill level is far superior to anyone at the moment. On form Benji is the only person I have seen get near them this year.

I don't think lockyer and thurston are too shabby either!

Lockyers coming to the end, Thurston is good, but Inglis and Hayne are on another planet IMO.

With a better depth in the forwards, and no real standout centre, any chance of seeing Ellis there?