Sorry for the guy but he is bloody good so anything that weakens them is good for the tourney.

Personally I would be happy if they stuck DCE in as he seems to go missing in the big games in the NRL and is getting a flat track bully tag down under.

Shame for Thurston (bloody good player) but good for us.

Things were so much better when he were a lad.

We really need to beat Australia in Melbourne, it would be even better if the Kiwis win too. The NRL needs to learn that it doesn't own our sport and it never will.

Can't underestimate how much of a blow it was to be knocked out of the WC by the Kiwis.

We need England/GB to win one decent tourney. The sooner we win something the sooner the media and Aussies will start to take things seriously...

We can't beat Australia when they don't take it seriously. What chance will we have when they do?

The withdrawal of Johnathan Thurston should be added to the withdrawals of William Slater, Joshua Morris, Brett Morris, Justin Hodges, and the entire first choice set of props (Matthew Scott, James Tamou, Nathaniel Myles, Andrew Fifita, and Paul Gallen). This provides a great opportunity for England to beat Australia.

The main issue is whether Steven McNamara will choose the best possible team for England. To mymind that team must include both George and Thomas Burgess, James Graham and Gareth Widdop. The English pack can overpower the Australians, leaving Widdop and his halves partner to control the attack effectively.