That England squad is more than capable of beating that NZ squad, with a fair wind they could beat that Australian squad aswell.

The NZ backs outside Marshall are nothing to be terrified of, their pack is big and strong and full of skill and impact but in my opinion James Graham is better than any of them. Sam Burgess is a step above Smith.

James Roby is on a different level to Isaac Luke.

2 things.

Firstly, are we supposed to magic these superstars out of thin air? We are progressing and building a stronger squad over time. It's not something that magically changes. This squad is much better than the squad of 4 years or so ago. Forget that the Aussies are miles ahead of us. That's a given. We have to look at if we are better, and I think it's plain to see that we are.

Sencondly, the Kiwi's are good in the Southern Hemisphere. When was the last time they got the better of us on English soil though? I bet it's a while back. Yes, we were beaten twice by them in the last world cup, but IIRC both games were close and the semi final could have gone either way going into the last 10 mins or so.

After watching McNamara on boots N all it looks like Broughs got as much chance of making the England squad as I have. Basically he stopped short of telling him to go play for Scotland.

Irritated me how he kept banging on about form, yet half the players in that squad aren't in form. Including Cockayne is just a stunt to try show everyone he's picking form players. Think McNamara has already chosen his squad and it doesn't matter how well the lights of Brough, Lunt, Atkins, Dixon etc play, I don't think they will get a look in.

What did he say for those who don't have sky? Completely agree about form, Morley's been injured for example, how can he be on form!

Unless Hoffman improves a lot this year he may not even make the NZ squad. Tomkins is miles better than him. In fact Hoffman's lack of any ball-playing capability or ability to break the line through speed/strength was a mjor problem for the Broncos last year.

Actually, scratch that. Unless Hoffman improves a lot he may not even make the Broncos squad (at least at fullback).

Basically Eddie asked him about Brough and McNamara said due to the superb form of Sinfield, McGuire, Chase and Myler, Brough isn't in the squad and can go play for Scotland squad if he wishes to do so.

Then he went on about the form of Cockayne and it shows there are choosing form. Which isn't true for a lot of the squad. Like I says earlier, Think Mcnamaras chosen his squad.

Spot on, other than Morley I have no problems with that squad.

I'd seriously be considering George Burgess for a World Cup spot.

Outstanding this morning against the Roosters, and a very nice try to boot. And he's feckin enormous!

Except Tommy Leuluai will probably be NZ's starting hooker with Luke on the bench, Jeremy Smith might not get in the team ahead of Blair, Pritchard, Eastwood and Mannering, and Graham wasn't even the best prop at his club - that would be Dally M winner Kasiano, who'll be playing for...NZ

Except Tommy Leuluai will probably be NZ's starting hooker with Luke on the bench, Jeremy Smith might not get in the team ahead of Blair, Pritchard, Eastwood and Mannering, and Graham wasn't even the best prop at his club - that would be Dally M winner Kasiano, who'll be playing for...NZ

And we saw Tommy over here for years, and he never looked like a hooker on the level of Roby.

Burgess is still a better player than, Pritchard, Eastwood or Mannering. Adam Blair is simply an average forward made to look great playing for Craig Bellamy.

And i would still take Graham over Kasiano.

Impressed with George Burgess this morning. He looked like he had been playing First Grade for years. 16 carries, 153m, 15 tackles, 0 misses, 1 offload, 5 busts, 1 clean break, 1 line break assist and 1 try.

Hopefully some good game time for him this year and he'll be pushing for a WC spot. If like to see Tom get some game time too.

You'd certainly hope that if a lad like George Burgess gets a good run for Souths then he'd merit a place over someone like Morley.

McNamara needs a job I RU

They haven't got a clue what a good halfback looks like either

george was immense this morning and i think last season i would have put luke above sam in consistant performances

How good does Brought have to play to be considered 'in form'?! Apparently he was absolutely spitting mad about it at a Giants fans forum the other night, can't say I'm surprised! Behind McGuire and Myler??

Maybe Brough should concentrate on playing well for more than a third of the season?

Didn't Brough play in last years exiles game? Well outplayed should I sayicon_wink.gif

Funny he was not picked for the exiles game so would have been difficult for him to be outplayed

Quote ="Durham Giant"Funny he was not picked for the exiles game so would have been difficult for him to be outplayed'" Funny that, because I remember him playing at the Galpharm, as does this article: www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/ma ... 08,00.html

Quote ="Durham Giant"Funny he was not picked for the exiles game so would have been difficult for him to be outplayed'" Funny that, because I remember him playing at the Galpharm, as does this article: www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/ma ... 08,00.html

He's managed to do that the last 2 seasons...

Best get all the Leeds players out the squad as well then.

Erm, Brough did play (poorly) for England, and yes at least the Leeds squad have actually achieved something, Brough however ...

Not quite sure what we learn from things like this, the Exiles game and the Tri Nations farce last year. Surely playing the players on the fringes is a better idea to look at the depth we have?

[url=http://eggchasing.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/land-of-hope-more-than-glory/More here[/url

Steve Mac is a joke! Great looking squad but the "on form" comments he made just makes him look daft! To really see what depth we have we need to stop playing the Exiles and have an England vs England knights series! There for the fringe players get to prove themselves against the shoe ins

So he picks a good squad yet he is a joke? Typical rlfans comment