That'll have to be an Australian ref then, because ours are terrible at it.

When I got to the ground I thought I had been transported back to 1985 & Shaun Edwards playing centre vs NZ, or it could have been discovering Magic Rock brewery on the way to the game. But no, it was an ugly shaven-headed Wiganer with a stupid run-kick style & shimmy that fooled no-one playing no.4.

Funny thing is, at the 2014 4 nations Sarginson was really clinical and was a big part of why Hall was so good in that tournament. 2 more years being coached by Wane and his skill level has plummeted

That 2014 form is why Sargison is in there - in that series he was one of those that played above themselves and certainly didn't look overawed. As an aside I doubt Bennett would move Whitehaed from the right because that's where he plays for the Raiders.

Yeah, I agree. Lomax was the big worry for me, but what choice have we got. Sarginson was very poor. Play Bateman there instead.

Bateman got a knock in his first tackle but looked physically out of his depth all match. Never an international centre.

Hardaker looked big and strong in SL and dominated with his power.

He was the smallest man on the pitch in most of the NRL games he played, looking under weight, physically imposing himself on the games was simply not an option. Kids from the under 20's were conditioned better.

Bateman and Farrell for forwards are in that bracket too, against strong ANZ teams we can't play too many of those blokes. Certainly not together.

I agree. I was surprised Hughes didn't make the squad for that reason.

I would consider moving Widdop to FB, with Williams in the halves and Brown in place of Sarginson. To beat Australia we have to score points and cannot rely of a good defensive effort. So we need some players with attacking flair that can pass and kick.

Hardaker did look lightweight, but it would be very interesting to see how the 2015 version would have gone in the NRL. Amongst other things he clearly let his fitness go out of the window this year.

But its definitely true that the NRL is much more physical than SL. That's why it should be no surprise that our most robust players tend to do much better in tests than smaller ones (e.g. Hall vs Charnley). You can get away with smaller players, but they need to be able to play above their weight - in the last series here Farrell just looked way too small, losing the ball in collisions as a result. If Farrell came to the NRL he'd put on a heap of weight, as would Hardaker and a number of others. You just can't play in the NRL if you're going to get ragdolled.

I think you may very well be right about size in the NRL.

However Bateman and Farrell are the two best SRs in Super League regardless of size. You don't pick someone on the basis of size alone, otherwise you might just as well pick a couple of props to play SR.

By the way I went to all three of the tests last year and can't recall Farrell dropping the ball in collision (possibly once at the DW but in mitigation it was hosing down all game and he wasn't the only one - from both teams). Still maybe your memory is better than mine.

They are the two best second rows in SL in YOUR cherry and white opinion

Personally think Jack Hughes has been the best SR this year. Can do everything Bateman/Farrell can do but isn't as lightweight. Can't believe he wasn't in the squad, is he injured?

Indeed. When you have the super league trophy in the cabinet you get the bragging rights. As you well know.

Bateman was our best player, by a mile, last season. And Faz won us the final.

Still if people think that Jack Hughes, our fourth best SR when we let him go, is better, then they are entitled to their opinion. However misguided

And if you want to believe a player hasn't improved since leaving Wigan, then that's your prerogative.



I agree Bateman was awesome for you guys last year, and I actually thought he was pretty good against Nz.

I've not seen much of Farrell this year, rate him as a line runner and defender. Can't help but think he doesn't really fit Bennetts philosophy of a massive pack. But then I'm also not sure I agree with that philosophy.

Hughes doesn't make enough metres compared to Bateman and Farrell. Hughes is a good player but the other two are match winners on their day and he isn't and I think too much is made about their size.

In the NRL they do pick props to play in the SR, look at Tapua and Frizell, who would definitely be props in SL

The way to beat this is of course to tire them out by playing an expansive game with lots of second phase play, but for some reason we try match the Aussies tactics of safety first rugby.

Hope your keeping it warm for us

I think Farrell and Bateman are both cracking players. I just don't think they should both be in the team together or on the field at the same time in the pack.

The forwards went well. I don't see any reason to change the pack. The dominated a lot of collisions and gave us a great platform. Unfortunately NZ eliminated that by lying on at the tackle and slowing us down to snail pace. It wasn't even subtle, they just sat there, even blatantly watching their defensive line get into place. Hicks was far too interested in stamping his authority by handing out a couple of offside penalties early on.
As for the "size" question, two small back row forwards may work very well in SL where there are plenty of weak defenders to brush off or knock back but at international level it's a very different story. A SL side may have a couple of guys of the size and strength of those in the Kiwi side, not 17. That's the difference.

I thought Hill and Graham were excellent, one of those should be on the pitch at all times. The back row likewise worked well, especially defensively against some great line runners in the NZ team. Cooper added enthusiasm but IMO should have got more time.

The problem with the pack for me was the Burgess twins, or more so how we used them, which them both on the pitch at the same time we were very ploddy defensively in the middle of the park.

Percival should replace Sarginson and Cudjoe should replace Watkins. Cudjoe is used to partnering McGilivary and they work well together.

Bennett said he selected Sarginson on his form v Hull FC then Wire in the GF, he played full back in both games.
Bennett then played him centre and it didn't work. Perhaps Sarginson should go to full back where his form was very impressive.

If we play a non specialist fullback against Aus then Thurstan and Cronk will have a field day. If you watched origin this year you will have seen that whenever the NSW fullback was out of position QLD almost score off a kick.