how much has t briscoe played all season??

6 weeks hardly a long period, will be fresh for this game after a long season with the giants.. cup and play offs included

crabtree was fit last week and could of played at a push but seeing that he has recently had a knee op was seen best to leave another week

COME ON ENGLAND!!

Wilkin hasn't much all season really. Eastmond I think warrants a place in the 17 because of his form, but the utility bench spot is the place for him.

13 games this year, would of played more if he didn't get a long term injured in April. Plus 16 games the season before aswell as a Wembley performance. Think Huddersfield fans have to accept that a lot on here rate Carvell more than Crabtree.

Oh dear. Is there any player who hasn't been singled out for criticism yet?

As for the Briscoe vs Fox debate, this just seems like another opportunity for the same old Hull vs KR squabbling. Reminds me of a few years ago when Horne was played on the wing outside Senior, and all the Hull fans could do was whinge about Senior's service to his wingman, never mind the bigger picture.

Tbh I think the team is as good as it will get given the players available. I think he's gone for Westwood for his mobility and workrate over Carvell.

so how many since aprill?? should fox not be in instead? what you going on about last season for?

Came back in August, so I'd imagine around 4. Briscoe should be ahead of Fox. And why not ?

Except for Carvell over Westwood, I think that's as good as we can get. Glad Tomkins is in - for me, with Myler in we'd have been stuffed. I rate him highly, but Tomkins is the more creative and better all-rounder, including his defence, which is as strong as anyone. He also seems to get under the skin of opposition teams - hopefully that will include the Aussies.

If the pack steps up and each forward performs to their best; nasty and aggressive with it, we'll stand a chance. If not all we can hope for us to defend for all we're worth. Crabtree needs to step up a gear. He's been to easy to stop at times (often the case with the tallest players), and it's up to him to hit harder.

BTW, the Fox vs Briscoe argument is pretty pointless. I see barely any difference in them - both good young fast players. It's their defence and decision making that's gonna count on Saturday.

Whatever, it comes down to the individuals on the day. I'll be there screaming my lungs out. Can't wait.

I agree Crabtree is a good footballer with offloads etc. Just he doesn't smash it upfront enough. He should be using his size and driving harder in the tackle - that'll ware any defence down. If he can bring that to his game he has the potential to match Burgess etc as a proper World Class Prop.

I can see why Crabtree has been picked over Carvell when I look at these stats:
[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player.php?hs1=2009&hp1=172&hs2=2009&hp2=220&stat=tries&season=2009[/url
It's all about the number of missed tackles and offloads over go forward.

if Crabtree makes those tackle busts, then I want Tomkins on one side of him and McGuire on the other.

Sod this organising jobby, support those breaks and get over that tryline.

We may only get a couple of chances, so we need to take them.

Further looking at the stats on the superleague website shows that crabtree misses less tackles than any other forward. He is definitely in the team for defence.

Judging by the last two games i thought that was already smiths plan?

So has Tomkins been chosen because of his ability or to promote struggling ticket sales?

If Tomkins was always the plan, why wasn't he chosen last week and given the experience and the time to gell with the players? Why throw him in now? The cynic in me says it's all about putting the extra 5,000 bums on seats.

crabtree made more Tackle busts this season than Peacock, morley, carvell etc

doesnt hit hard enough ??

I agree.
Then smith goes and picks a player that has given the fingers to RL.

Then why do you make a statement saying he does not make as many tackle busts as Carvell when the last time i checked the Stats he is one of the top forwards for making tackle busts



But hey lets just be subjective rather than look at facts particularly if he plays for Huddersfield.

Yeah, Tomkins wouldn't be the first Wigan half back to make a career out of being a backup merchant now would he.

I wonder if young Sam will get that arrogant he'll start rating the tries he scores...

As a saints fan, you can't complain about arrogant half backs.

That's four players out of how many players used over the course of the season?

They did well to win the cup I agree as it represents 50% of the domestic trophies out there.

BUT- lets not sugar coat over the other side of the coin
1-They didn’t play either Leeds or Saints to win the cup (good job as well looking at their pervious against these two)
2-They didn’t make the playoffs

Now Hudds on the other hand made the final after beating Saints + they made the playoffs 2 but yet have less players in the England squad?

Has Wild not been as good as Westwood? What about Kev Brown compared to Myler?

Wild is out, has had knee surgery. Brown did his medial in the Cup Final, out 'til next season.

Fair enough then

Would have preferred to see Carvell in for Westwood because I think a bench of Crabtree/Carvell/Brugess/Eastmond could really hurt the Aussies.

I think England have to keep it in the middle and try and steam-roller 'em.

It's a shame Fox is not cos when he's in his best form he's the most exciting English three-quarter but his poor performances haven't helped him at all.

See the Fox vs Briscoe debate is a non starter for me, Briscoe might be young but he's beyond his years and a very strong powerful and fast winger with many internationals ahead of him, he's also somewhat of an unknown to most outsiders. Fox on the other hand has faults to his game which can be exploited massively, not that he cant be a match winner on his day but he can also lose you a game just as easily.

For security reasons...etc I think Briscoe has to be in but if it were Fox i'd be happy enough.

On another point I feel we lack strength in the centres, could we possibly use Ellis and Gilmour out wide with Wilkin moving into the back row? I know we'd lose a bit of speed out of the backs but both these players have played at centre and done very well there. The possibility of having some big guys out wide forcing the opposition to go into the middle where our strengths are could be a winning tactic.

I certainly agree with the Gilmour comment - I thought he was unlucky not to be in the squad and I think he could have been a good option as a powerful athletic centre - he is also a proven international who has performed against the Aussies and NZ

Ellis is a world class second row and at least Smith is playing people in position (I know Peacock is usually a prop but he can handle second row)

That team is set for BIFF, then Tomkins can pick the gaps with Eastmond later on.
Go rip their heads off and down their necks guys.