General observations from the group stages as follows:

1) In S Burgess, G Burgess, Hill and Graham England have 4 top props. Mossop and T Burgess should only get a look in if there are injuries. I much prefer Sam Burgess as prop than loose

2) Roby should play every game

3) I have actually been pleasantly surprised by Cudjoe - I have never really rated him but a few really selfish bits a play aside I think generally he has gone well

4) Sinfield has played well in every game and deserves his place on merit

5) Tomkins has been solid if unspectacular - that is not a criticism, it is just nice to know England can still turn it on without having to rely on him to do it all for us

I reckon Chase struck a decent balance between off-off-the-cuff and structured, probably for the first time in an England shirt. I suspect this is what he's been picked to do and, if he gets it right, it could be a potent weapon in the games to come. He wouldn't have been my first choice but I actually like the way he's starting to shape up.

I'm really plased that Sir. Kev is finally bringing his Leeds form for England, he's been outstanding taking the right option on pretty much all occasions, his dummy and offload for Westwood's try yesterday.

I also love his game face in the tunnel prior to the match, I could have a little bromance with him.

The way sinfield and burrows played at the weekend will suit us fine next season .sinfield at 7 then 9 to give suttcliffe some game time .I wonder if Aiton has realised that his signing was a deal between GH &KH to get him off wakeys wage bill

I get it from other teams' fans, but Rob Burrow has played in the Leeds first team for about 13 years. How are some Leeds fans STILL unable to get his name right? Not as if it isn't written on the back of his shirt every week.

Predictive text d1ckhead

No, it's not predictive text that makes you a d1ckhead.

Sometimes that predictive text makes you look dumb as duck.

I agree entirely with all of the above. I've also been pleasantly surprised with Ferres.

Roby is world class and Chris Hill has been a revelation.

As to the point the OP was making about Moon whilst I accept the loss of Webb has been a factor I have been saying all season long that Moon's service to Hall has been poor. Moon's a good attacking threat on his own with good footwork but shows a lack of awareness about when to pass to his winger and how to time it. Hopefully, that will improve next year.

How Mossop got in before Crabtree is one of life's great mysteries. I have never seen a game where I have thought Mossop did anything special.

Sinfield does almost but not quite everything Brough would have done ...... only much slower.

Burrow looking dangerous as an attacking threat running at tired forwards after the opening salvos were exchanged - who would have thought that would happen.

It's been nice to see England line-up defensively with the starting halfbacks three men in either side - a pity then that the introduction of Burrow into a hide spot caused some defensive confusion that led to the opening score from Fiji and that remains an area that will be exposed by the better teams especially if Burrow is tasked on the right alongside Watkins.

Thought there was confusion but as to the reason? well I think you made a pretty big logic jump there. I thought Westwood simply came in when not needed and left everyone else with a decision to make. Fiji exploited it perfectly - doubt even Australia could have been any more clinical.

Bang on.Crabtree has been in great form all year and has been one of the few not to look out of place in an international jersey the past 5 years.

I think Mossop is steady, he will do ok in the NRL like Luke Burgess has, but will never stand out or make a difference on the elite stage.

Specifically!! such as what for example??? Can you give some direct examples from the game on Saturday or is that just your biased prejudiced view ???

Sinfield had a direct hand in at least 3 tries, at pace both in thought and deed.

Why would my views be particularly biased or prejudiced - at least anymore than anyone elses?

don't duck the issue answering a question with a question

but to help you out here



Please give some specific examples when and where this happened on Saturday.

It isn't ducking the issue to ask what makes my view (on the relative merits of Sinfield and Brough as International half-backs) anymore biased and prejudiced than the next.

It may differ from other fan's views (I've no idea) but why would it be based on bias and prejudice even if it does?

So you're unable to give DoubleAone any specific examples then?

I'll tell you one thing Sinfield does for the England team that Brough doesn't. Accept he is English. I fail to see why Brough merits any further discussion in relation to England.

IMHO I think you should perhaps stick to collecting cold hard stats on the game, if you cant answer a simple question based on your assertion regarding Sinfield.

Terrace Test Caps are very easy to earn.

And it's a view you are entitled to hold just as I am entitled to hold the view that Danny Brough is a quicker International half-back than Kevin Sinfield.

Now explain why you think my view is clouded by bias and prejudice anymore than the next mans?

When you're playing half-back in Test rugby, pace is of course essential.

Just look at Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer.

Brough has played three games in this World Cup against second level teams. Hasn't looked the best player on the park in any of them IMO.

Let's see how impressive he looks against the Kiwis on Friday shall we?

That's not what you said and you know it.

You made a statement that Sinfield did things MUCH SLOWER than Brough.

I asked you to provide some examples of exactly where Sinfield did so during the match on Saturday.

You are now ducking the question,

and for the record I don't thing you are entitled to express a view on a professional international player unless you are qualified.

HAVE SOME RESPECT.

Unless you have a RL Test Cap hidden somewhere.

In your opinion - not a fact.
Tvoc may have a contrary view.
FWIW the best half back on show in my opinion has been Shaun Johnson & he does have pace.
Pace is a desirable attribute in any position but it's not the only factor.
I'm not sure that Cronk & Thurston are blessed with blinding pace but since they usually play behind a dominant pack putting them on the front foot that doesn't really matter.
The speed of the play the ball is the key.

If Danny Brough had kept his teddies in the pram earlier in the year we'd probably be talking about Brough AND Sinfield, not either or. He wasn't willing to fight for a place and now we must consider him Scottish. So he isn't a legitimate debating point for England's selection any more than Jonathan Thurston is.

Indeed.

It baffles me. If someone wants to pine for a non English half to be English instead of Sinfield then why not pine for Thurston or Cronk rather than Brough? That is, of course, if you wanted to engage in such lunacy.

As you and I have said Brough is, by choice, Scottish again. Good for him.