I'm not Atkins biggest fan but I'd have liked to have seen him in the side instead of Yeaman. I don't have anything against Yeaman he's a good solid player, and least he had the bottle to accept his call up but I just think Atkins is more threatening with the ball and is as good (or as bad in some cases) as Yeaman is in defense.

I really hope someone like Watkins, Hardaker, Charnley or Wheeler can stay injury free and really make a claim for the left centre spot next season. With Reed and Hall on the right a more attacking left centre to partner Briscoe on the left would really makes a force to be reckoned with.

Also, was Briscoe carrying a knock? He seemed quite slow towards the end of the game.

Its clear to me that I don't think Mcnamara quite knows what to do with Widdop. If he doesn't start the surely he should come on for Roby and Sinfield moves to 9. Maybe he's concerned that neither Sinfield's or Widdop's defense is strong enough up the middle.

Yeaman is solid but not brilliant at this level, hasn't let anyone down but is probably the weak link in the side tbh.

His defence has been good all tournament though, I always feel safe when the ball goes that way, and in attack I don't think Wilkin's helped him much either, constantly cutting back inside.

yeaman doesnt seem confident in passing to his winger, but equally he may feel that his winger is usually in no position to receive the ball which would make him a smart player. i think it doesnt help that a few times the ball is fed to that side sinfields pass selection was sometimes poor and i would essentially agree with those who describe yeaman as solid.

I disagree. Atkins was absolutely embrassed by the Aussies when he played, Yeaman has always being solid for England. I agree that he is probably not good enough for International RL and wouldn't get a look into the NRL but his defence has always held up a lot more than Atkins. Also, you can't understimate the importance of established partnerships and understanding as Yeaman/Briscoe have. A lot of people say "Oh Atkin's defence had improved a shedload" to them I'd say a) It's probably a lot easier defending in the team Wire have now than previous b) SL has a low quality of centres at the moment, far inferior to the aussies.

I wondered that myself. After his try he seemed to be limping a bit so maybe he had a bit of a niggle. He isnt lightning quick anyway but he normally moves alot faster than he did when he made the break.

Shenton is massively overrated and, like others, I'm not sure about Atkins' defence. Bridge is a very good player and would certainly do a better job in attack than Yeaman (and as good a job in defence).

I thought that was one of our better performances if recent years. Controlled the game and were patient. Credit must go to the coach. Previous coaches have not been able to achieve that. Having said that, I'm not getting carried away as effectively this is a 3 match Test series - although in this case 2 v Oz and 1 v NZ. We often win one before getting thrashed in the final. However, Australia are still going backwards so there's always a chance we may sneak it!

That's generally what happens I think. If Widdop was playing 6 he'd be defending on the right side not up the middle. Sinfield is too small and doesn't have the work rate to be an international 13. Doesn't carry it up enough

Sinfield has been great - aside from his kicking in the final 20 metres.

The only player who has looked to be struggling at international level has, IMO, been Carvell.

This made me laugh so much I had to look up some stats to calm myself down.
[urlhttp://superleague.co.uk/statistics_player?season=2011&stat=carries&hs1=2011&hp1=263&hs2=2011&hp2=1720[/url

Only the 7th highest number of carries in Superleague last season!
Given his role as a distributor, organiser and kicker I'd suggest this combined with 1900 metres gained from carries makes your post look pretty ridiculous.

That's playing at 6 for Leeds. He's not what you'd call a hit-up machine

He's played once? Made pretty good impact when he came on, 1 stupid offload. Fail to see how that's struggling. If Ellis is back he should just come straight in for Wilkin imo.

Seems as though Widdop comes on at 6, if Roby needs a break with Sinfield moving in to hooker. Sound about right?

Though Widdop is more than comfortable in 1 if needed.




Oh and after seeing the game again. How good was Graham's double pump pass to create the line break for JJB in the last try? He's a prop FFS. Excellent skill.

In 2010 he came in the top 30 carriers playing at 13, despite his kicking role. Perhaps you could point out how many of those who had more carries that year were 13s. I suspect you might not find one.

No he's not a 'hit-up machine' - Fortunately he's much much more than that... but the metres he makes suggests he does his share. To accuse him of not having a high enough work rate is simply ludicrous.

Spot on Gary.

Unfortunately late. Match report: northernsportsreport.com/2011/11 ... w-zealand/

Unfortunately late. Match report: northernsportsreport.com/2011/11 ... w-zealand/

Putting together a successful side at any level is about balance.

If you play Sinfield at 13, you're effectively playing with four half-backs in the side and one less big lump. Too many bosses, not enough workers and the team becomes imbalanced.

Those wanting Widdop in the starting line-up would have to sacrifice one of Sinfield, Chase or Tompkins to retain a degree of balance to the side, and only one of those has a high quality kicking game.

Do any of them have a high quality kicking game? They've kept it hidden so far...


Any stattos out there able to tell me how many tried have been conceeded down out left side conpared to our right side?

You reckon?

I'm struggling to think of too many tactical kicks that haven't found the floor or moved the defenders around.

Compared to the era of Sean Long et al, England's kicking game in this series has improved significantliy.

Real quality that, no surprise it went pretty much un-noticed by the know-nowt commentators, likewise Wilkin's quick hands for Briscoe's try.

I get riled when you hear Eddie and Stevo raving over some simple plays then completely missing some genuine class. Not just those two instances, it happens all the time.

The modern day 13 is no longer an oversize halfback but more like a 3rd 2ndrower.

Has it, or is the pack just laying a better platform? When Sean Long or Paul Deacon were kicking for England/GB they were doing it from within their own 40.

There haven't been many occasions in this series where Sinfield has had to kick from his own half.

Got to agree. Every week Stevo creams himself over a flashy yet simple to execute pass. Yet a perfectly worked set play were 5 or 6 players all play their part to perfection often goes without a mention.

Roby - 48 tackles, wow!