How does McNamara organise his side in attack?

During last year's internationals, we saw Smith's strategy of splitting the half backs left and right and using Sinfield as the first receiver in the middle.

If McNamara plays his half backs in the more conventional 1st and 2nd receiver roles, then will Sinfield be included in the starting line up?

No one can argue about his effect from his favoured role that role for Leeds, but if, like I expect, McNamara has a different set up, is he worth a shirt? Wouldn't he be better of with a 13 in the mould of O'Loughlin? Langley's also been playing well and Harrison from Wire looks promising.

Will he pick him in the half backs to use his experience to aid either Eastmond or Tomkins?

What are your thoughts? For me, Sinfield's experience and smarts has been one of the major differences between Saints and Leeds over the last 3 years, but I can't advocate changing the team strategy to incorporate him, nor would I include him at 6 or 7 (I much prefer playing 1st and 2nd half backs, rather than left and right).

Conventional 1st a 2nd receiver? I'd say left and right was the convention now, and if the ball is on the left it's left at 1st receiver and right at second and vice versa. Now you can do that with two pivots and L&R or with three at L, R and middle. Teams rarely have halves move across each other to maintain their 1st receiver/2nd receiver positions.

We had a running fullback, which pretty much mandated a ball playing loose or hooker, so it somewhat depends on who plays fullback. I reckon Smith (or Wellens if it comes to it) have enough ball playing ability to be that extra pivot, Briscoe doesn't. Plenty of othe candidates of course, but that's going to be a key factor.

No doubt in my mind that the England 13 jumper should go to Rob Purdham. He's been magnificent since coming back for Quins this year; his performances so far confirm for me that he is the best player in Super League and just continues to get better.

In the World Cup in 2008 the best we saw from England was during the first half of the first game against New Zealand. We had Purdham at 13, Burrow at 7 and Gleeson (yes, I know) at 6 and dominated them. Second half Smith brought on Sinfield, moved Burrow to 9 and Purdham and Gleeson wider and we lost all direction, and the game.

But how does McNamara set his teams up? Bulls fans?

I haven't seen that much of Bradford, but he's often had Orford at fullback - so used that ball playing fullback I mentioned, and a runner at loose. Of course that could just be down to the personnel he has available rather than a preferred playing style.

Best player in SL?!?! I like Purdham, really rate him as a player but to say he's the best player in super league is crazy. Sinfield and O'loughlin are better than him and thats just from the english loose forwards!!

He leaves it to Matt Orford.

When?????




I don't think Sinfield at Loose would be something we'll see under McNamara. O'Loughlin would be my bet.

My mistake, meant your other Aussie halfback, Kearney.

Play Sinfield!!

LOSE!!!

I would like to see a creative full back and Burgess at LF. Unfortunately we don't have the former, in fact, who was our last - Davis?

Tomkins and Eastmond, Roby/Lunt rotating at hooker with O'Loughlin at loose for me.

I rate Sinfield as a player, he's been a thorn in our sides for the past three years in a certain final with his kicking, but he isn't a hooker and that's where his best performances for England/GB have been. Lunt has been one to watch the past two seasons and Roby is finally adapting his game and becoming a more all round player.

I think Sinfield has to play, for his leadership as well as his ability
The position he plays is up for debate an ddepends on the style we want to play, this should take int account the available players
Id like to think we could use our own skills without trying to copy the Aussies

Sinfield as Utility Bench for me, come on at 6 (if needed), 9 or 13 and obviously is one of the better English players.

That's probably because Kearney IS now playing fullback - the position he played in first-grade NRL.

Yes.


As Adey says, that is the poistion he has played in most of his career.

During this year it's been pretty much get Orford involved as much as possible, and make him the first reciever on most 4th or 5th tackle plays. The stand off has been used more as a runner and simple passes, but given the Bulls line up all coaches would want Orford to be the pivot with nearly everything running off him in that side.

Sinfield should be Captain, where he plays Im not so sure, probably hooker as he is well suited to that position in the international game.

I agree he isn't the best player in SL.....but he is far better then the 2 you mention at 13........

Interesting. What I've liked about Purdham when I've seen him is that he's a grafter, but he also seems to have a lot of strings to his bow. I don't seem to see as much as him as I do of others.
I do like O'Loughlin, though, I like his physicality in defence and he'd probably be my choice for England's 13. Do you think Purdham is capable of imposing himself physically in a game against the Aussie/Kiwis? Langley is also a very big guy who has apparently hit some impressive form. If I were the England coach, I think a big pack would be my priority - Jon Wilkin, for instance, great for my club, but I wouldn't pick him for international duty.

When he's played for England in the past, I've not been dissapointed, but England's results need improving, so I'm not sure if I'd go with him.

Going on what I know combined with what I'm reading from other teams speccies on here, I think I'd like a back row of Burgess, Langley and O'Loughlin, with some one like Tomkins on the bench.

The last time Purdham played for England he wasn't very impressive IIRC - maybe just went into his shell and was a bit over-awed by the opposition.

I don't think Sinfield is essential for the team, especially at 13, but concede he is a useful player to have in the squad.

At the moment Langley and maybe O'Brother-in-law would be my first choices.

Throw Gareth Ellis into the mix and back row seems fairly strong for England IMO.

Would deffo have O'Loughlin at 13 on current form.

Forgot all about him - poor mite




What about Ratchford of Salford? The Reds fans hold him in very high regard and he covers many positions through the backs. A bit early, maybe?

O'Loughlin would get my vote as well, when he stays injury free and gains timing and confidence he's by far the most effective 13 in both attack and defence that we have.

Ellis and Burgess in the 2nd row with Lockers at Loose would be a pretty formidable back three.