Apologies, seen it now. Not too bothered about who is bringing water on etc. Bateman at centre is the big issue for me, a really negative option. Especially when you have Hall playing outside him, who is probably our only proven strike weapon at this level. We should be doing everything we can to put the ball in Hall's hands in space. I wouldn't have picked Heighington personally as I don't think we should be relying on players who see us as a second option, especially 35 year olds, Can't complain too much about the rest really. Glad we have kept Widdop at 6 rather than trying to shoehorn another halfback in there.

I thought Bateman was unlucky not to get 2 more tries at last weeks game and on another day we would have been saying he had to be in if they had gone his way.

It’s not the squad I’d have picked, but I trust Wayne Bennett’s judgment, he is the World’s most successful coach after all. I can see what he’s gone for, size, strength and a solid defence. Wall of white.

Not sure Lomax falls under that description, but he's a talent. Question marks over Bateman, rather than a "proper" centre but like you say, solid if not spectacular. Which is probably Bennett's motto for this game.

Assuming the 17 from the matchday squad list are the starting 17, then England look desperately short of options if any of the backs get injured during the game.

Whilst I'll stay optimistic didn't Bennett try the same tactic in the 4 Nations borefest at the Olympic Stadium vs Australia ? Then when the Aussies stepped up their game, we just had no flair or variation to respond.

I could well see the same thing happening again

We can't match the Aussies at their own game so we should be looking to adapt. Why not try throwing the ball around and cause confusion in their defence. Get them chasing the ball for once. I'd rather lose a game 50 - 28 by throwing the ball around and having a dig than trying to match the Aussies style and losing 38-12.

Where is it?

I'm OK with the squad. I don't get the Heighington selection though, Bateman to the bench and Percival to centre is the only change i'd make. Everyone seems to have written us off and many slating Bennett. But he has won more than anyone on here or the twitter experts. He masterminded NZ's WC win against a much better Australia side than the one we'll face (although he did have Benji Marshall at his peak)

He has been consistent in his selection. the majority of the team have played and trained together for about a year now. That's a big plus. The last WC under Mcnamara we had a different half back combination every game up until the semi. The players will be familiar with Bennett, his tactics, and each other.

Last year we had:

Widdop and Gale
Williams and Gale
Brown and Widdop

All four of those players have been picked for this tournament again, and we saw many combos used in that friendly last week.

Quote ="LifeLongHKRFan"We can't match the Aussies at their own game so we should be looking to adapt. Why not try throwing the ball around and cause confusion in their defence. Get them chasing the ball for once. I'd rather lose a game 50 - 28 by throwing the ball around and having a dig than trying to match the Aussies style and losing 38-12.'" They may decide to respond by throwing it around themselves, they have been known to do that at times and the result is often damaging for the opposing team. https://youtu.be/_P6WvC59jQM

Quote ="LifeLongHKRFan"We can't match the Aussies at their own game so we should be looking to adapt. Why not try throwing the ball around and cause confusion in their defence. Get them chasing the ball for once. I'd rather lose a game 50 - 28 by throwing the ball around and having a dig than trying to match the Aussies style and losing 38-12.'" They may decide to respond by throwing it around themselves, they have been known to do that at times and the result is often damaging for the opposing team. https://youtu.be/_P6WvC59jQM

I also think Hill is lucky to get a starting prop selection.

Quote ="Buggo"They may decide to respond by throwing it around themselves, they have been known to do that at times and the result is often damaging for the opposing team. https://youtu.be/_P6WvC59jQM'" True, but we can't just sit back and let the inevitable happen. We have to try something different.

Quote ="Buggo"They may decide to respond by throwing it around themselves, they have been known to do that at times and the result is often damaging for the opposing team. https://youtu.be/_P6WvC59jQM'" True, but we can't just sit back and let the inevitable happen. We have to try something different.

I've not seen the squad but Bennett should resign immediately.

PUT laxatives in their water or half time tea or coffee that will do the trick (just do not get caught doing it)

I can't understand this selection. If Bennett thinks we need sound defense at left centre then Michael Shenton is the obvious choice. Shenton sometimes shows limitations in attack, but his defence is impeccable, and as a specialist centre he's streets ahead of Bateman for that role. The only reason to leave Shenton out is if you're going to select an out-and-out attacking centre (of which there are few, but Percival is the nearest in this squad).

If that is the starting 13, then I think Bennett has gone for a mongrel approach with plenty of added biff. Think a full blooded contest will bring the best out in England and the worst in Aus.

How much has Bateman played at centre for Wigan this year? Whitehead has spent a lot of time at centre too in the NRL.

As for those slating Widdop - NRL team of the year SO and 2nd in the Daly M.... surely without JT, he would have walked in the Aussie team if he was eligible.

Bateman hasn't played centre for us this year at all. We have had injuries there but he's either been injured himself, or deemed to important in the pack, so we have played Isa/Burgess/Forsyth there instead. Don't think he's played there more than five times for us ever. Did he ever play centre for Bradford?

Lomax over Ratchford is the correct call imo. As an opposition fan I've always feared Lomax far more then Ratchford.

I just hope he's got his halfback pairing and sticks with it now. The chopping and changing last year was ridiculous. I'd love to see Williams get a crack off the bench at some point either in the halves or at hooker but it's a no brainier picking Roby. I'm far less convinced by Hodgson in an England shirt then I've ever been by Roby. I thought he killed our halves last year by trying too much and stepping out of dummy half on every play before passing, which starved them of early ball and space.

Probably but I wouldn't read too much into that, we excelled in playing people out of position, just ask Danny Addy

Shenton's limitations in attack have seen him provide more assists then any centre and more then most half backs.

Would argue McMeekan would be a better centre then Bateman. That said Bennett is top dog.

Don't think he ever did. Whitehead played there a few teams, but whitehead has pretty much played on the right hand side nearly all his professional career.

It might be wise to get the bob martins in their pre match drinks, give em time to work

Is Shenton fit? There were rumours he hurt his groin in the build up to the GF and his efforts for Briscoe's two tries he didn't look too good.