Just saw on BBC sport that James Graham will captain the England side in (atleast) the first Four Nations match this year.
Well done Jammer

Given his temper tantrums which seem to be growing in regularity, it could seem a funny call , but Jammer has captained Saints and England through the age groups (i'm pretty sure) and internally is obviously a well respected memeber of the squad.

Given that he won't be on the pitch foir the full 80, I'd assume S O'L will be vice captain and get the responsibilty when he's being spelled. Don't expect this to go down well with the posters from other teams, though.

On a thread on the Wigan board, I said that I would expect either Graham, Ellis or O'Loughlin to take the captaincy.

If every England player approached the game with the same attitude "problems" as Jammer, we wouldn't have copped so many hidings in recent years.

Automatic pick in the team, one of the more experienced players in the side despite his age and leads by example. Good choice.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 100857.stm

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 100857.stm

I've just posted something similar on the Wigan board after someone had said that Graham is immature.
IMO he is just a player who like Shaun Edwards probably hates losing as much if not more than he enjoys winning.
I think he'll do a good job, and giving him the responsibility may help him to channel his aggression in the right manner.

He has experience of captaining an Aussie-beating side.

Good post. Im sure you'll even remember Ellery Hanley, inspirational captain that he was, getting sent off at Bradford for dissent?

Thats what i thought as soon as i read the article on the BBC.

It might make Graham more responsible and as you say, make him channel his aggression down the correct path, rath than outbursts. As Captain, he can't afford to do that.

There were very few players that could have been captain really. No one in the backline has the credentials.
There are not to many automatic picks in the pack Ellis, Burgess, Graham are probably the only three that are guarenteed not to be dropped at some point.

I am surprised that Ellis was not picked by McNamarra. I hope that Ellis picking to sign for Leed not Bradford from Wakefield did not have anything to do with it.

I had Roby down as an outsider, i think he would be good as Chris Joynt type captain. Not so much a vocal captain but the type of player that leads by example every time he has the ball. A very good professional and a very well respected player. I think Roby would have been a decent choice.

I just Hope he can keep his cool!

Jammer is a good choice, it was between him and Ellis for me.

Actually, I think Roby was unofficial vice captain against the Maori because when the ref pulled the Maori captain to one side to have a word about the penalties, or whatever it was, the ref also nodded in the direction of James Roby. Nothing was mentioned in commentary though.

Well in Jammer. One of the very few who have captained a series winning GB/England side in Oz.

I'm really pleased. Go for it Jammer!

Well done Jammer, lead us to glory

I'd have given it to your Shirl as graham will lose his rag with the poor reffing we always get down under. Ellis should consider himself lucky to be in the team considering how poor he was last week.

Beggars can't be choosers though eh? (as proven by the call up that heffer carvell).

I think Graham will shock a lot of his doubters and be well disciplined.

It will shock me thats for sure after he gets on the wrong end of some dubious interpretations of the "rules" which we always seem to suffer from !

But when has he lost his head in internationals? I don't remember him ever doing so. Do you?

All we can do is give the lad a chance (and our support). It's up to him if he takes it. He has dropped lucky because of injuries but sometimes being in the right place at the right time is just fate.

I don't see any reason whatsoever to bag him before he has his chance.

As I said on the Wigan board, we won't win the game because Graham is captain and we won't lose it because he is captain either.

All I want from him is a powerful performance and lead by example. If he can't handle the captaincy then so be it, but I think he'll do us proud.

No but he lost it on the big stage at the GF when some of the decisions were a little "baffling" to many saints fans and players. He lost it in one of the semi's as well when the ref had to ask wello to calm him down.
All I am saying is that the reffing will be worse (it always is) and the protents are not good for him.

I sincerely hope I am completely wrong and he has the greatest captains performance ever1

Fair words