I'm going to be sick.

The squad has to be chosen on the basis of the future. We don't have the quality of players in sufficient numbers to put in a realistic challenge of winning an international tournament anytime soon. We have nothing to lose and may as well blood younger players. I don't see any mileage whatsoever in selecting the tried, tested and failed who are now getting on in years.

Bollox.

It pains me to say it but thats the best we have. Besides an argument for Sinfield (if fit) , Burrow instead of Robinson and Gleeson, that is the best England has got to take to play the Aussies and Kiwis.

If McBanana was to pick a team based on future could you had seen him dropping JP? Has Morley got some anti-ageing medication?

Thats the best we have.

There are a few surprises (Griffin, Lunt and Clubb), but I have no real complaints with it.

Only one Leeds player and no Bulls - when was the last time this happened? The Schofield era?

I know that McGuire and Peacock would probably have been picked if fit (alongside Sinfield maybe and Diskin at a big push), but this selection is a sad indictment on how the likes of Lee Smith, JJB, Rob Burrow, Bailey, and Ablett, have faired this season. In previous years several of these players would have been automatically picked. Is this because there are simply better players around or that they have stood still/got worse/not improved enough. I'm not sure.

At least our players won't have to suffer the inevitable post-competition witch hunt (unless Hall has a nightmare performance).

Ughh. We'll get hammered....and that will be by PNG.

It's a bit underwhelming, but in fairness to MacBanana, it's hard to see how it could have been a lot better.

I think we have some decent prospects on the wing, and the forwards for the most part look pretty good, back row in particular. I worry a little about the half backs, Tomkins aside.

the big problems are:

At 9, where Roby is the only credible option in my book, and I would rather see him spelled with a more tactical, controlling hooker.

At centre, where we continue to be unable to produce top class players. Atkins and Shenton are alright, but that's it. They're the best on offer without going to the old skool with Gleeson and Senior though. We shouldn't be in that position surely? Massive and ongoing problem for us.

Last time we went down under we were pathetic.

And that was with RL Jedi master Uber-coach Tony smith. He was made to look like an articulate chimp.

So imagine what's going to happen with Crapbanana in charge

We've been pathetic down under for quite some time, therefore I'd suggest that short of losing by record scorelines, McNamara can't do a lot worse than any recent GB or England coaches.

We haven't beaten the Kiwis down under since 1992 and we've lost 8 times on the bounce. Since 1992 we've beaten the Aussies once down under 23-12 in 2006 but hammered on the other four occasions... 6-42, 10-64, 10-33 and 4-52.

Is this the worst squad with the worst coach that we've ever sent down under? It looks pretty close to both 'accolades' to me...

The more we are embarrassed internationally the more difficult it is to get any press coverage at all here in the UK...I fear next season will start with a virtual press blackout

I just think we are lucky that the likes of Inglis,Jennings, and Gasnier are'nt playing.
This Aussie squad has stacks of injuries missing aswell and it still is full of quality as is the Kiwi squad it's gonna be a long tour for our lads and could prove the to be the most humiliating yet.

If they avoid a 50 to 60 point hammering then clearly they won't be on both counts.

Do you mean each time they play? I think they may beat PNG - just. As for NZ and Aus, dread to think, but I'm guessing we will cop for at least one 50 or 60 point hammering along the way...

Do you know what this is?

I'm guessing you didn't share the very same negative outlook when Tony Smith was in charge during the World Cup two years ago? Just for the memories, we got hammered 52-4 when Peacock, McGuire, Sinfield, Senior and Burrow all played.

If McNamara and his squad manage to do better than that, I assume you'll concede they aren't the worst coach and squad combination we've ever sent down under?

I will look forward to an Australia vs New Zealand Final.

Here's an album I think you might enjoy

if these youngsters suffer two heavy defeats it could affect them psychologically as according to Stevo they have no hang ups about losing to the aussies.

it will be a long tour

...a bit off topic, but that is actually a very good album!

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXWEM4gZhg4Are you for real?[/url

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lul-Y8vSr0IYeah, not a patch on vintage Shatner[/url

don't even think we will beat the Maori

We'll deff beat Cumbria though

Its amazing how when GB/England squads are announced people act disappointed with the quality of players available, as though its a big surprise that we have no outside backs worth a mention or that when it comes to the crunch our pack somehow doesn't look as strong even on paper as we thought it would.

In any event, I'll support England, as usual. What I really hope is that they play without fear, and that a couple of the backs start to show some real potential.

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLEMncv140sThere's a long history of actors who feel that they can interpret songs better than singers[/url

Just in case I decide I'm not ready to abandon the mission before the plane even leaves, does anybody know whether any of the matches will be shown on the Beeb this year? For those of us without Sky. Chances of a pub down here opening at that time in the morning to show Rugby League = ZERO.