Yeah, I thought it was a strange statement too. Saying that, Chase has been garbage this year anyway. Not that that has ever been a barrier in the past.

Sorry what I meant is that for 2/3 years, Chase/Sinfield partnership was going to lead us to WC glory. Now the same coach doesn't think the same player is the 5th best HB in the game. I'm over the moon Chase isn't in the squad, but my point is it proves McNamara doesn't have a clue what he's doing.

I really don't know what the hell you're on about.

Why are people banging on about Chase like McNamara has left him out?

McNamara hasn't left him out; Chase made a choice to quit England international rugby because of the criticism and comments he got from supposed fans because of his New Zealand heritage.

That's why he's not included NOT because McNamara has suddenly decided he isn't good enough.

Element of Leeds bias in there in that you'd put Hardaker at centre just to accommodate him and that you'd have an all Leeds backline + Ablett before the in-form English centre in the competition in Shenton.

Shenton is having a great season and i would have him in the squad for sure at the end of the year if he keeps it going.He has moved in front of Cudjoe in the pecking order IMO.

Havn't watched any of his games but i notice Jack Reed got 2 tries at the weekend for a Brisbane Broncos side which is 5th on the NRL ladder and going well.I think im right in saying he has played most games this season for them too so must be holding decent form.Suerly him and Watkins have to be front runners for the centre spots at the present time.

Yes I have because I believe Hardaker is one of the top 5 English players. In the same way as Queensland and Australia find a way to include Greg Inglis alongside Billy Slater.
It's not an all Leeds backline, as much as I'd like both Tomkins & Widdop to sign for Leeds.
Like it or not Leeds threequarters are in excellent form and are very dangerous players, and in my opinion Hardaker is a better player than Shenton.

Ablett isn't in for Shenton, he's in as a good & in-form second rower who can cover centre to a decent standard in the event of injuries, but there are other players who can also cover centre in the squad I chose too. With those players I felt centre was adequately covered so the squad didn't need another centre.

I included 2 of the 3 Cas players in the squad so I assume you would only have been happy had I chosen all 3.

Tomkins, Widdop, Reed, Tom and G Burgess, Graham and no doubt Mike cooper will all be included in the 4 nations and possible Luke Burgess but i hope not.

so thats;

1.Tomkins
2.
3.Reed
4.
5.
6.Widdop
7.
8.George Burgess
9.
10.Graham
11.
12.
13.

14.Tom Burgess
15.Mike cooper

so really everybody else can argue about the other places

I don't think Cooper would be automatic - he's looked OK in a dreadful Dragons pack. Tom Burgess has looked very impressive now his season has started, whilst Luke Burgess is a reserve player.

Reed is starting to show some form - he's a bit like Ryan Hall in that he seems to take a few games to get going every year, and in early games looks like a complete plodder. Whilst Reed will never be the fastest, he is a superb defender and can get his winger away - if he's fit he'd be my first choice for left centre.

Believe me Mike Cooper will get picked he's playing very well in a beaten team in the NRL, there is no chance he won't get picked.

Reed looks to have lost a couple of Kg and looks to have done him the world of good. He is also a big game player in my opinion and its strange because he isn't that experienced.

No mate. He is pants as a hb in a structure.

Thank heavens your not picking the team then.

Why? What would your team be?

i can tell you now, it's gonna have chris bridge in it.

Quote ="Tigerade"more on Sneyd and Brown's omission here :- www.totalrl.com/comment-mcnamara ... neyd-brown'" All very good points made that can't be argued with. I have no faith in SM as National Coach and him being at the other side of the planet and still holding that position is just ridiculous

Quote ="Tigerade"more on Sneyd and Brown's omission here :- www.totalrl.com/comment-mcnamara ... neyd-brown'" All very good points made that can't be argued with. I have no faith in SM as National Coach and him being at the other side of the planet and still holding that position is just ridiculous

Hardaker
Makinson Watkins Reed Hall
Tomkins Widdop
Graham Roby G Burgess
Ferres Ablett
O'loughlin

Clark Bateman Walmsley Hill

Amor Huby Westerman Westwood Shenton Lomax Smith

Would be my 24 man squad

serious question and not just a vail attempting at starting an argument but do you seriously believe Walmsley is better than Taylor? Also Makinson better than Briscoe or Charnley?

I believe walmsley offers something different to the team than Taylor does - I was umming and ahhing between Taylor and Amor/ huby as they are a similar type of prop? I'll gladly switch either (it's great to have strength in depth) - admittedly I let my saints bias put Amor before Taylor.

Makinson is still the top try scorer in the comp, and makes it in before briscoe and charnley on form - since both of which are faultering according to their own set of fans, charnley is being sent to Workington after all! But if that changes before the end of the season, so would my selection?

do you not think makinson's defence is a bit ropey?

Positionally he can occasionally get caught out, but don't all young wingers? In terms of his actual tackling I think he's very good, in fact a quick check of the stats shows he's on a par with Ryan Hall who I would class as strong in defence.

Fair enough but i don't agree that Walmsley offers anything different to Taylor, Huby or Amor if anything i don't think he has the fitness required to keep up in international matches. I would actually pick Amor before Walmsley but if you are going off form then it would have to be Huby. But it doesn't matter as Tom Burgess and Chris Hill will be the 2 props on the bench

Makinson has played more matches than both and i haven't seen leeds moaning about Briscoe at all? Charnley has been injured for a couple of months thats why he is going to Workington as Manfredi has played well also.

Leeds fans have been complaining that briscoe over runs his centre (usually when they lose to be fair) - personally, I think makinson is the best finisher in the options, and that's what I want from my wingers - briscoe and charnley are probably more rounded, but can't finish in the same way - and to compete we need as many people who can get the ball over the line in magical ways as possible. Also, makinsons defence has never struck me as weak?

Walmsley is a different type of prop to huby, Taylor or Amor. What Walmsley does really well is isolating defenders - which offers a different style to our play. He's a bit of a luxury to have, but given we have hill and graham as metre eaters, we can afford a player who plays a little less on the pitch. Walmsley has the best metre/carry out of the 4 props in question.

All just my opinion, of course, and I tried to give no sleight to any team!

really i haven't seen that, the biggest reason i would have for picking Briscoe is that he can make a lot of meters when returning it and usual gets a quick play of the ball which will only help Roby, but he does lack in other areas. I would actually put Hardaker on the Wing because there is no way Tomkins won't be at fullback.

But when you play Aus or New Zealand you rarely get one on one in the middle of the field and for me he just won't have the same impact, Huby Amor and Taylor all have that ability to make 4 or 5 meters with 3 players hitting them and they have the engine for international rugby.

No I'm not arguing against your choice but its funny how we all see things different.

It'd be no fun if everyone agreed on here



Briscoe would certainly be the choice when you consider ball returns - having hardaker hall and briscoe running it back is the biggest advantage Leeds have this year from what I've seen. But having Nathan browns "the first 3 drives should be the outside backs. Always. No matter what." Tactics every game means I don't think I want to see an outside back take it up ever again!

For me, one of our problems (and great strengths) is our ability to produce metre eaters. You could probably leave graham to take it in twice every set for 60-70 minutes, and the last would be the first as the same, and the same could be said, for a lesser extent, for Amor, hill, Taylor etc. Bringing another prop to take it in less, but make 8-9 metres, isolate the defender elbows down and play the ball brings another edge we've lacked. Walmsley isn't the finished article yet, but he's getting there, and worth a shot at that role in my opinion. If not this year, then in the coming years. You won't get 60 minutes out of him like the others, but we have plenty of long minute props to compensate!

Mcilorum and Sarginson wouldnt be anywhere this squad if they werent Wigan players.