Our forward pack on form can measure well against the Aussies and the Kiwis without a doubt. Unfortunately we still haven't found the right formula in the backs, especially the halves, to really look like winning.

Last year was an improvement, but far more will be needed to compete. I think its too early with the playing pool we currently have.

Both players out for a few months according to reports

You are absolutely spot on. I have been to many of the games you list and the sense of disappointment when GB/England lose in that decider is huge

But the problem I have with this argument is the assumption is because we haven’t won, we never will

Australia went from 1921 to 1950 without winning an Ashes series – I wonder how many Aussies said they would never beat Great Britain?

Of course the odds or England winning the World Cup are long and Australia are the overwhelming favourites but the last World Cup showed that being favourites and winning are not the same thing. I would be interested to know how you label your attitude. I suspect you call yourself a realist whereas I would call it defeatist. I’m just glad you haven’t been invited to talk to the team

For every improvement England/GB make then Australia improve that little bit more.

Tyranny always comes to an end.

I share your pain.


I wouldn't go as far as to say we'll never win, but I don't expect it to happen in my lifetime.


I'm a realist. I require evidence of improvement and a closing of the gap between us and them before I'm persuaded to believe we've got a chance of winning a series or competition or final against them. New Zealand winning the World Cup against them is a bunch of NRL players beating another bunch of NRL players. A bunch of SL players beating a bunch of NRL players in games that really matter is something else entirely and I don't realistically see it happening anytime soon. Of course, if we can muster a team consisting of mainly NRL players in the future, our realistic chances of beating Australia when it really counts suddenly increases on an exponential scale.


I couldn't do any worse than those offering the team talks over the past 4 decades. Wayne Bennett couldn't coach and team talk GB/England into beating Australia when it really counts either. It remains an impossible task.