Westerman made a lot of tackles in the first half - think I saw he made 33??

He was played as a 3rd prop effectively, when all season he was in great form as a ball handling 13 - a role he wasn't given on Saturday

O’Loughlin injured, who’d have thought it.

I hope Ben Hunt gets a game, whenever I’ve watched him I’ve been impressed & he’s a Sharkies fan

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What a surprise, we are having an Aussie referee. I wonder how that decision was made?!?! www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/o ... ns-referee

What a surprise, we are having an Aussie referee. I wonder how that decision was made?!?! www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/o ... ns-referee

Hopefully Lockers makes it through. Other than that pretty much the squad I'd pick. No immediate changes needed after the Samoa game imo

And you base that on what? Shenton's more tries (x2), more assists, more metres per carry, more clean breaks, less errors? Or the fact Sarginson plays for Wigan?

Sarginson should be nowhere near an England shirt. Only a wiganer could suggest bringing him in this weekend.

Oh you and your clearly visible and documented facts Tigertot. Don't you know they don't count for anything on here!

If England are to win this game first and foremost is no mistakes and been tight in defence. Shenton gives you that, so there is absolutely no need to change that. The biggest worry is the back row, and that for me will be responsible for a loss the weekend. Westerman & J Tomkins are not at this level. Farrell is a decent player but where is the World Class calibres of recent times? And we still failed back then. Australia are going to have to be very poor.

If O'Loughlin is out i would be tempted to play with Hill and Graham and prop and George Burgess at 13 as extra prop.We clearly have more fire power down the middle so the sensible thing would be to blitz them there.Plus,Graham can do close to 80mins as can Hill if needs be so just having the one prop on the bench wouldn't be a problem.

My worry is also the back row. The O'L situation reminds me of a similar situation with Lee Crooks back in the 80s, when we took him to Aus & repeatedly said he would be fit for the next match but never was. Or maybe I am dreaming the whole thing given my memory now....

To be fair, Australia were very poor against NZ.

We need to dominate in the middle, which we should do given the relative strength of our props compared to them. I have no doubt they will score, tries. We will make at least the 1 or 2 brainless mistakes that we make in every game against them - but I am confident that we will have enough to come out on top.

Sheens has played a blinder with his ref selection, nice to know some things never change.

Take it the Australians have decided that as this game really matters for a change, they want one of their own in charge?

TBF wasn't most posters calling Perenara the worst ref ever not so long back on here

I wouldn't say that Smith played poorly but he did not by any means stand out. He did miss a good few tackles also, but overall was competitive and did kick better, but all in the in the second half.

I am an avid NRL fan and I would say that Sam T took a lot of time finding his feet in the NRL and Ben Barba apart was possibly the poorest performing recognised FB there for a large part of the season. I relate this on Sam's poor ability under high balls and his lack of ability in returning those kicks he does contend with. Bravery is no problem for him and his play along the line is possibly un surpassed by any other plaer in the FB position down under. Yet his frailties at FB for me outweigh his pluses. I have the greatest respect for ST but not as a FB when he is under pressure from high kicks or his open space returning and I would be happy to see him used more up front for England on Saturday. Hardaker does carry the ball better is as good a tackler, probably better and most importantly handles the high kicks to a finer degree.
Pace is everything at RL and Sam could provide that if he was employed closer to the action.

One day someone will wake up to the fact that Tomkins is a 6 not a 1

I cannot believe he's gone with the same back row. It's so weak it's untrue and Australia will no doubt smash us again.

We've got some decent players now, players not just surviving but thriving in the NRL. Yet we're so massively held back by the coach, a man with absolutely no credentials and who is utterly clueless.

Farrell is too small for international league. He's a good player in SL, a workhorse that does a hell of a lot of work for Wigan, most noticably in defense where he's forced to help out their weak front row. Joel Tomkins would be an automatic pick if he was the Tomkins that left for Union, but he's not. He's another year of development as a league player away from even being considered for England. No form at all and not good enough to pick regardless of form. Westerman is another player I like in SL, perfectly capable at that level and knocking on the door internationally. But against Australia he doesn't provide enough, it's a massive shame O'Loughlin is again injured. I'd agree with the suggestion of putting G.Burgess at 13. The 3 in there will be dominated and having the extra power in there would be useful.

still expect 1 or 2 changes come game day, they had to announce the squad early

Fingers crossed.

The professionals are all wrong and have been for several years then.

Sarginson was racking up the metres towards the end of the season for Wigan. I'd like to see him in at centre, or Hardaker. Or Sarginson and Hardaker on the edge but might be a little too risky in a game like this.

I'd get rid of Tom Burgess, Joe Westerman and Joel Tomkins from last week's squad too.

Sarginson would get killed against either of Aus' centres.

Sam Tomkins first run out V OZ was in the halves he scored one try and but for Sam Burgess's stupidity would have given us a 16 or was it a 22 to 0 lead?

He worried the Aussies in that match at times I think he was 18 years old then, so he has the credentials for those positions at this level already on his CV.

Watching the Holden cup on P/sports there were a couple of youngsters one at F/Back and another at stand off who's prime position is F/Back also, both are very good prospects and I maintain that Sam will move up into the Halves to partner Johnson either next or the season following.
He also should be done the same with for England in time for the 2017 WWC.

For me Id go the same

apart from

Westerman OUT full stop - Straight swap for O'loughlin - Failing that G Burguess to 13 and Copper at prop

Id also drop 1 of the other back rows and unleash whitehead

Also as this game is now must win - we need an attacking mentality and Id be tempted to put hardaker at centre instead of Shenton