They may have switched off initially, but there is no way they stayed that way when England started scoring.

England changed tack in the second half and deserve all the credit.

It was deafening in the stadium.

This thread has been a thread of two halves. The first one was anger and being depressed about the England performance.

The 2nd half was just everyone ing themselves laughing at Zod trying to explain (with his Hull KR tinted specs on, no less) why Fox would have been better at having Inglis in his pocket rather than T Briscoe.

The aussies would never have scored any long distance tries if Fox had played, it's common sense mate

So do you think Tom Briscoe should have played in hindsight?

Taking a look at that right side defence in the first half, I simply don’t understand why we had Sinfield and Mcguire defending outside Smith. I would understand if Smith was a big powerful defender you would take on the strong running forwards but that isn’t the case

For the opening try, Smith defended inside Mcguire and Inglis got on the outside of Mcguire with an excellent play

The second try saw Slater get outside Smith with a similar play – England seemed to be lined up OK but you could argue that Smith miss-read the play and came in on Lockyer too early when he seemed to be covered by Mcguire … you have to trust your inside defender in those situations

The third try saw both Mcguire and Sinfield defending outside Smith… this time Sinfield mis-read the play and came in too early on Thurston leaving the hole

Try’s 4 and 5 were from broken field, one was a play that broke down for Australia and bounced kindly, the other from a play break down for England

Both the Sky and BBC commentators said that Smith and Briscoe were exposed down the right side but for me it was organisation of the right side defence rather than individual weaknesses that caused the problem

Pluses for England to take away from the game is that Australia don’t have the impact from the bench that they used to have – the old adage was that Australia could send three teams over to beat us but I don’t see that with the players in this squad – they are dominant due to having some very big game players in Cam Smith (who bossed the game in the first 20) Lockyer, Slater and Inglis

Sinfield played well when he was moved to 9 and got more involved in the middle of the park – Burgess and Crabtree offered some impact from the bench and Shenton and Hall seemed to have little problem containing Hodges and Hayne

FFS man, any idiot can see the problem was Lee Smith and Maguire in defence, is this personal attack on Briscoe because he replaced your winger who actually played himself out of the reckoning?

Don't disagree about others being at fault for the defensive positioning, but it common sense that if your back three-three don't return the ball quick enough then you'll invite pressure.

Was T Briscoe ill last night, Ive heard he threw up after chasing Inglis when he scored?

So Shaun Briscoe should be out of the picture too based on what you've just said?

they aren't used to playing with donkeys like briscoe

that's why

surely you've understood by now that all HullKR players are the fastest, strongest, most talented individuals to ever walk planet earth

I was pleasantly surprised by Shenton, though maybe Inglis may have torn him in two as well.

Smith, McGuire, Westwood - all big FAIL.

Morley and Peacock, where were you?

Roby's passing was shocking. Get Moore back in.

Is that down necessarily to the players being slow or the fact that the Australian employ a far, far superior kicking game and chased it down well thus not allowing England the time to get out their own ten? Put it this way, you can't go fast if you've got no room.

I always laugh with HKR fans and Peter Fox and it does seem like a massive tirade against Briscoe. There is no way in hell that any of those tries would have been prevented with Fox in the team or not. Time and time again Smith came in-field and the massive gaping hole was there to see. And even if Fox had have played, and had have chased down whoever was in possession, the Aussies always had men in support to score.

But what people don't seem to be digesting is that the "arm-wrestle" is a cumulative effect hence why exit sets were executed far better in the second-half - the proof there.


Fox would have cut Inglis down for his last try when he had no support.

You mean when the aussies had switched off as the game was won.

Ah, you mean the half England dominated, the half where we forced Australia to kick from inside their own half rather than inside our 40? Again, if the opposition kicks from further out, of course they are going to have better "exit sets".

my thoughts having just watched the game:

1. We have learnt nothing since the WC about how to defend against the bread and butter Australian play of passing to the man out the back

2. McGuire is not and never will be an Int class stand off

3. Our forwards are better than Australias and oh for a decent outside back line to make the most of that talent!

4. Roby is not an Int quality hooker

5. Tompkins and Eastmond should be our half back pairing for the future.

6. We showed alot of heart in that 2nd half but lets be honest Australia was already thinking about the final and how to beat NZ when the 2nd half kicked off

7. our outside backs and fullback are simply not good enough and we should raid the coffers and sign some decent RU centres and wingers again!

Watched S Briscoe and his field positioning in defence, he lacks the mental speed of reading the game, still think Wellens is the more skilful and can offload better. Shame Owen isn,t available as an alternative.

Yes thats exactly why there was a 42 point shift in both halves - because the Aussies switched off.

I think owen still needs another year before he is ready to play for his country but when he does will be a very good fb for england.

No offence, but I think you are getting a little confused between Fox catching Inglis and Fox tackling Inglis

He may have done the former but that doesn’t guarantee the latter

I think young Briscoe did all that could be expected of him yesterday and was very unlucky to be taken off

Put it this way, I'm delighted it is Smith leaving us to seek his fortune in Union and not Briscoe, he will be twice the player Smith is

Fair point.