I agree that both those teams performed badly. But, they had many players who were far better than thei4 current equivalents. For, example 1979 included Eric Hughes, John Woods, John Holmes, Roger Millward, George Fairbairn, David Topliss, Steve Norton, George Nicholls, Mick Adams, Doug Laughton, etc. Even 1984, a weaker squad in my opinion, included Mick Burke, Keith Mumby, Schofield, Hanley, Tony Myler, etc - players head and shoulders above anyone in our current back line.

Do they still have grass roots rugby in Chorley mon ami?.

Would have loved Roger the Dodger in the 1979 squad but sadly he wasn't out here. Holmes 2 games and Topliss 1 game played at 6 in the Ashes Test series. The 1984 squad disappointed in losing 3-0 following the previous 3-0 loss by the 1979 squad with both squads full of talent as you point out but we only scored 5 tries in 6 Tests in the 2 series. For me particularly disappointing as I had seen GB win here in 1970 and had never seen GB beaten 3-0 before, both here and in England

Bennet to end his tenure on the conclusion of this tour https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/reports- ... ole-24326/

Bennet to end his tenure on the conclusion of this tour https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/reports- ... ole-24326/

Quote ="Wilde 3"Sinfield's comments on Bennett's contract scare me slightly: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/50367304 ""Look at this series and the players that are missing," he added. "There's Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Burgess, James Roby, Luke Gale, Kallum Watkins, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival." Is he deluded!!?? SOL - Soon to retiire SB - Medically retires Roby - Although for me a better option than Hodgson, is close to the end of his career Gale - Hasn't played for 2 years Watkins - has never recovered from injury. I will give him the other 2, as well as people like Tom Johnstone, Manfredi etc. Sounds like he might get a deal to the World Cup due to his last performance in getting to the final.'" dont give him percival, he would never have played him

Quote ="Wilde 3"Sinfield's comments on Bennett's contract scare me slightly: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/50367304 ""Look at this series and the players that are missing," he added. "There's Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Burgess, James Roby, Luke Gale, Kallum Watkins, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival." Is he deluded!!?? SOL - Soon to retiire SB - Medically retires Roby - Although for me a better option than Hodgson, is close to the end of his career Gale - Hasn't played for 2 years Watkins - has never recovered from injury. I will give him the other 2, as well as people like Tom Johnstone, Manfredi etc. Sounds like he might get a deal to the World Cup due to his last performance in getting to the final.'" dont give him percival, he would never have played him

Roger was in the tour squad but replaced by Dave Topliss due to injury. Indeed the 1979 tour was blighted by injuries and there were several replacements.

Loved watching Roger Millward when he came out here. In the Ashes winning series in 1970 he missed the first match in Brisbane when we were hammered but played in the next 2 winning games to clinch the series. In 1974 he played in the first 2 and won in the second being selected on the wing. Reserve in the third which we lost.
In 1976 in the English close season he came for a spell at Cronulla playing a dozen or so matches. I was supporting Cronulla at the time and saw all the games he played in.

I was just going to post the same!

I wouldn't know because I don't live in Chorley and I never have.

You should redirect your question to Catalans star Samuel Tomkins, or one of his brothers. They were all raised in Chorley.

For heavens sake the players are not the issue the Coach is and always was.

Bennett is the master of club RL, where he turns out well drilled sides that take few risks and grind out wins. That’s not to say they have no flair because they do but it’s comes off the back of those disciplines mentioned above.

International RL simply doesn’t work that way, there simply isn’t the time. I’m not suggesting all caution is thrown to the winds but a compromise Isco needed and that’s something Bennett simply can’t manage.

We don’t have the players Tonga has to go totally off the cuff but we can do far better than this. At this level the ego that is Bennett is out of his depth he just doesn’t know it.

I don’t think it’s the worst team, we have a good collection of players.

But this is the worst style of rugby Great Britain has ever played.

BORING!

The players are not good enough, and there is nobody who isn't playing who can quickly turn this around.

There aren't enough people playing the game in this country, and those that are don't have the skills or the coaching to improve those skills.

The game needs to be restructured from top to bottom or this constant decline will continue, the standard of play on this tour is the result of years of mismanagement.

The team are utterly pathetic. Say what you want about Bennett, who has got everything wrong, but those on the field haven’t done enough. Errors and missed tackles must be in huge numbers.

The simple things of RL, catching, running, putting your body in front of someone else’s and stoping them, we just aren’t competing with PNG. This isn’t about technical nuances, it’s about having the minerals to put your body where it might hurt. We’ve failed in that.

QED.

Nobody cares

Why's that then?

Can we stop picking Aussies now please. I hope everyone has learnt that they do no better then actual Britons.

I dont hink it's picking Aussies that is the issue, although Hastings has been awful in the halves but, picking a HB on the wing has been utterly shocking.
Flying a second rower over to play centre was a poor call but, Austin on the wing, especially having flown a replacement accross, is one of the worst selections in the last 20-30 years.
Half of that side didn't look interested or enthusiastic last week and even fewer were bothered this morning.
We have no pace, no guile and no fecking guts.
"Great" Britain, no way, why on earth didn't they leave this antiquated brand in the cupboard.

Even our "much feared" pack looked slow and ordinary

Why all the despondency? We are definitely improving - double figures in the 'For' column this week!

I wouldn't put it all those players and that's just scapegoating.

The reality is take them out of the side and I don't see much difference to how this tour has played out.

Spot on.

Austin is not a winger and it's a disservice to all those who do play in that position week in week out for their clubs that he was picked (twice) in that position.
There is no issue if injuries happen during a game but, as good as he is and Austin is a decent player, he is not a winger and has been exposed (twice) and why on earth did we fly a reasonable second rower (Hughes) halfway across the planet to play centre ?
Our three quarters just looked all at sea defensively but, credit to PNG for taking full advantage.

Why pick them ? We are rubbish with them , we might as well pick British lads and lose

How many tickets does the RFL expect to shift if Bennett is still in charge next year?