Over rated? Of course he is. The only England back who has impressed so far this World Cup is Ryan Hall, all the others (including Rangi Chase) have played way below their usual high standards. I'm amazed how much stick Chase has copped so far this tournament, when the likes of Sinfield and Tomkins have been anonymous.

This England team was doomed to failure the second McNamara decided to play Sinfield at 7.

Which is what you'd expect, of course.



Seems like another bizarre turn - unless he's just picked up a knock. But they'd have announced that, I'm sure.

sinfield has actually had a couple of decent games and with a better partner he would of looked better as well and there is no way in hell has tomkins been anonymous, how many trys has he set up and stopped? both have been good this tournament and chase has been the weak link.

what a load of codswallop

Look on the other thread, I'm sure there's a post shoeing OPTAS team of the WC so far, guess who's at 7?

Wow, the idiots are out in force today. Is the drop in centre closed on Fridays?

what time is McNamara due to storm out of the press conference today?

Neither Chase nor McIlorum present at England's final training session at Wembley this morning.

Just saying...

Dumb post of the year.

Sinfield and Tomkins have been exceptional. Tomkins is playing the best I've ever seen him play in an England shirt.

Sinfield and Tomkins have definitely not been "exceptional". I'd challenge you to find anyone else who shares that opinion.

Yeah had a dummy spit.......a true professional!!!!

IMHO, I think you will see Tomkins chiming into the line a lot more now though against the Kiwis, I think you will see us playing more square at the line which will open up more opportunities him and the backs.

what an exciting challenge...I'll get right onto that.

I hope so. He has been more involved in the attacking line the last couple of matches but tomorrow will be an acid test for him to continue this. He has the skill and evasion to be the X factor we need.

Me.....challenge over.

+1

I win. What's my prize?

You say they've been exceptional and then have the audacity to say mine was dumb post of the year? Deary me. Sam Tomkins hasn't even been in the top 3 fullbacks so far, I'd have Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Anthony Millford ahead of him. I would even be tempted to say Matty Russell has performed better.

Fixed that for you.

That's because you have no understanding of the job he's been asked to do and they level of excellence with which he's executed it.

Nothing wrong with my faculties, thank you very much.

7 try assists too....i wonder how many he would have laid on had he not been anonymous.....?!

It seems some people think a full back has to burst through the line 5 times a game and score a hat-trick every match to be good at their job.

Not really, 4 bursts and 2 tries per game would be acceptable. He has fallen way short of that.

So you think a full back's performance should be solely measured on line breaks and tries?