After listening to McNamara's interview and looking at his squad selection I can see him going with:

Tomkins, Hall, Hardaker, Watkins, Burgess, Widdop, Smith, Graham, Roby, Hill, Farrell, Westwood, O'Loughlin (c) BENCH: Hodgson, Cooper, Burgess, Bateman

Not the team or squad most would have gone for. Being honest, after the squad selection I'm not as excited about this tour as I previously was. SM spoke about Tomkins and Hardaker being able to play in different positions, as he's picked 4 halves I can't see him playing Tomkins there and I can't see him not playing Tomkins so I expect to see Hardaker at Centre. He spoke about the understanding Smith and Widdop had developed which is why I think he'll put them in the halves. Only 4 props in the squad

suggests they'll all play.

I agree it sounds like McNamara isn't going to drop Tomkins from fullback. I may be and hope I am wrong because I think Hardaker is a significantly better fullback than Tomkins.

Before any Wigan fans get their knickers in a twist, I think Tomkins is a cracking player who's strengths haven't been played to at NZW. The problem is I don't think those strengths will be played to at International level with Tomkins at fullback either. He needs to get the ball in certain situations to thrive, to do that from fullback requires the team to play in a certain way in order to maximise opportunities for the fullback. I don't necessarily that will or should happen with England.
We need to get the ball to the likes of Cudjoe and Watkins and get them running at the Kiwis defence.
I do think Tomkins can be dangerous from stand off where he'll get the ball a lot and can often run and take on the defence but without massively affecting the structure of the attack. Pair him with a half who can distribute and kick and it should be alright.

If I were picking the team I'd go with:
1. Hardaker
2. Burgess
3. Watkins
4. Cudjoe
5. Hall
6. Tomkins
7. Widdop
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Burgess
11. Bateman
12. Whitehead
13. O'Loughlin

14. Hodgson
15. Hill
16. Cooper
17. Farrell

As an aside, I don't know how Matty Smith has made the squad. I think he's had an average year.

SM was at the Grand Final and he must've watched a few Wigan games this year. That being the case, the fact he's picked Matty Smith AND is talking about him like he's first choice should be reason for dismissal alone.



If I hadn't bought my tickets months ago i'd currently be giving serious thought about not bothering with this tour to be honest.

I'd be more interested in his opinion on the colour of snow than any opinion you had on anything - jog on.

Hey, most Wigan fans agree with you! I certainly do. Hardaker at full-back should be the first name on the team sheet. When it comes to partnering Widdop in the halves, for me (and I suspect most people) Smith is way down in the pecking order, below Sam T, Gale, and Williams.

If he goes with Smith despite his mediocre form and he flops , McNamara has nowhere to hide with the in form options he has at his disposal for once.