Heighington probably been better than McQueen this year but both are nowhere near good enough. Neither is Tom Burgess. Walmsley has clearly been one of the best in England for some time but can't get a look in. A number of good back rowers in England left at home.
Isn't the purpose of this game to give English players the chance to go up with NRL-calibre talent on foreign soil?
I don't normally have too strong feelings either way towards coaches. But Wayne is taking the out of English rugby league and doing more harm than good. Even if he brings some short term success (IE a World Cup final) I'd still want him long gone after this year.
If McQueen and Heighington were players like Wade Graham and Paul Gallen, you could see the reasoning behind Bennett's decision. He says he's only d about winning. But they're not. They're over the hill and never was. It's a disgrace.
I do think its a bit rich to suggest that the most experienced coach around knows less about players than fans. I can't remember on here how often we've been told that GB/England's pack was somehow superior to Australia, only to see it demolished on the pitch.
We also don't know how much impact on Bennett's thinking the limit on players per club had, or how much he was seeking to widen the squad this time round. Any number of players might miss out on the WC through injury.
As it is, I think whilst England's performance wasn't totally convincing, the fact they reasonably easily beat a Samoa side packed with NRL players has made a few people here sit up. That's especially the case when you think we were without Widdopp and Williams, who could well have been the first choice halfbacks.
Widdop hasn't played FB for years and was the form halfback in the NRL prior to his injury a couple of weeks ago. Why would anyone have him down to play anywhere but in the halves?
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