I really hope he can get up to international standard

The 17 doesn't really matter as they will always put a side out of better quality whilst our league is set up as it is. The small matter of rugby league being a miles bigger sport in Australia then it is here will sadly always leave us needing a perfect and lucky performance to get away with one.

FWIW this is the sort of side I'd go forward with-

Tomkins
Hall
Reed
Atkins
Jones Bishop/Charnley(Need a more physical threat over there)
Widdop
Lomax
Graham
Roby
Burgess
Ellis
Westwood
O'Loughlin

Subs
Mossop
Morley
Westerman
Burrow

I think times up for one of Morley or Peacock but it would be too much experience lost to put them both out of their misery at the same time.

Excellent choice, better balance at 1, 6 and 7 also would put Huby on the bench.

Willie Manu is an interesting player. If were prepared to pick Chase and Heighington I'm suprised he didn't get selected as he is a real threat.

I just hope we have some fixtures at the end of 2012. A tour of NZ was just mentioned on the BBC highlights. That and a test in somewhere like PNG would keep the side progressing.

It does occur to me that forwards tire but switching the forwards in 20 minute stints uses 6 interchanges leaving 6 interchanges left for whether the forwards are blowing and whether changes in the back are needed. most teams attack down the middle and put the ball to the outside of the defence, with an injured winger in defensive line the attack is more likely to pass through the defence out wide.

Tomkins
Hall
Reed
Watkins
Briscoe/Charnley
Widdop/Chase
Lomax
Graham
Roby
S. Burgess
Ellis
Westwood
O'Loughlin/Sinfield

L. Burgess
Mossop
JJB
Burrow/Robinson

So you put a winger on the bench in case of injury??? WTF????



It clearly doesnt occur to you that forwards tire. Most teams generally go for a 2 props, 1 2nd row and a utility on the bench and theres a reason why.

I've never seen a winger on the bench, and certainly not one of the most consistent performers.

Split 6 and 7 is quite common, depending on the make up of the side, one works with FB and the other with 13. If anything it can make moves less predictable as there's options both sides.

Your team have clearly never been coached by Richard Agar.

I clearly does occur to me as i coach an under 23s team and have the selections to make every week.

and on my Bench i always have 1 Half, 1 back and 2 forwards, That has worked for me for the past 3 season with a win percentage of 81% and only losing 6 games in 3 season

Is that just by virtue of the make up of players in your squad? Amateur clubs obviously can't always choose how their side is put together, you've just got the players you've got.

I'd guess that you just have a naturally good group of players and the winger on the bench would have neither a positive or negative effect. Not a good idea however at the top level of the game.

Thought so.

He's playing this system because your 7 isn't good enough.

Having 6 patrolling one side and 7 the other seems to be the standard feature in English RL. But its that regimented we never seem to have another plan. Thurston didn't seem to stick to one side and gives the defence more to think about.

And if you are going to pick Sinfield anywhere in your team, it doesn't matter who your half backs are, he'll just try and take over anyway.

Saints had a back (not necessarily a winger) on the bench all season in 2011, to cover for injuries. We needed one, as usually we got an injury to a back. Unfortunately, at the Grand Final, we needed two plus a half! So it didn't work for us in the biggest match of the year but it certainly helped avoid losses in others.

1. Jones Bishop
2. Hall
3. Reed
4. Shenton
5. Briscoe
6. Tomkins
7. Brough
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Peacock
11. Ellis
12. Westwood
13. Sinfield

14. Carvell
15. S. Burgess
16. Burrow
17. Ablett

Ive used this method at all levels of coaching(ive been blessed with), Student rugby, Amateur rugby, Championship Rugby and a SL Valvoline cup rugby. seems to work perfectly, used it with 4 different clubs, it could just be my personal style of rugby but it works for me.

Which Valvoline cup side if you don't mind me asking, was it recently?Are you involved with Halifax?

I am a Halifax fan but not involved with them in any other way. I coached Salford U20s for 4 games in the Valvoline last season which i won 2 of the games, then i went back to coaching the U18s and we won 7 the 9 games we had left.

1. Tomkins
2. Hall
3.
4.
5. Briscoe

6.
7.

8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Burgess

11. Ellis
12.
13. O'Loughlin

14.
15.
16.
17.

These players are the only World Class players we have. The rest should be picked on form.

Agree, apart from briscoe.

I'm looking ahead and in doing so assuming the young players I have chosen continue to develop as well as they have been doing, building on their promise.

And as well, only my backline and halves are complete! I've also got a couple of forwards.

My incomplete-so-far team would be:

1 Makinson
2 Hall (although he still needs work on defence)
3 Shenton
4 Reed (question mark over his defence though)
5 Charnley/BJB (the final choice would depend on defensive capability as both are good in attack)

6 Tomkins
7 Lomax

9 Roby

The only other forward that I know I would have is Graham, with Westwood and JJB if they continue to maintain the standard they have both shown in this comp. Nobody else stands out for me, including Ellis who I don't think performs at international level. I'm not sure about Burgess. I can only remember him knocking on in Australia! I haven't seen him play since.

I would also have McShane on the bench to interchange with Roby as I think the two hookers have different but complementary styles, both of which the team could benefit from.

thankfully richard agar dint get the job or that would of happend

I would go;

1. Tomkins
2. Hall
3. Reed
4. Shenton
5. Briscoe
6. Widdup
7. Lomax
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Peacock
11. Ellis
12. Burgess
13. O'Loughlin

14. Burrow
15. Morley
16. Crabtree
17. Westwood

18. Bridge
19. Pryce

1. Tomkins
2. Hall
3. Reed
4. Atkins
5. Briscoe/Charnley
6. Widdup
7. Lomax
8. Graham
9. Roby
10.Mossop
11. Ellis
12. Burgess
13. O'Loughlin

14. Burrow
15. LMS
16. Carvell
17. Westwood

I would make a case for Ben Westwood and Gareth Widdop as well.

S Tomkins
Hall
Reed

Briscoe

Widdop
Lomax

Graham
Roby
Burgess

Ellis
Westwood
Sinfield

Morley
Peacock
Carvell
Robinson

I'm struggling to find a left-centre?