Using a 3,2,1 points scoring system, and separating forwards, halves, and outside backs, here is how I rate them:

[uForwards[/u

New Zealand 3
England 2
Australia 1


[uHalves[/u

Australia 3
New Zealand 2
England 1


[uOutside Backs[/u

Australia 3
New Zealand 2
England 1


[uTotal[/u

New Zealand 7
Australia 7
England 4


So this suggests that it is a close contest for the top spot, but that on the fairest player ranking England is running 3rd.

Quite the scoop JC, Auz and NZ top dogs and England behind them.

I do admire your expert investigations. I feel you have a very strong chance of a career in stating the bleeding obvious.

It is not bleeding obvious to some people on here, who seem to think that England has a half decent chance of winning the World Cup in 2013.

Gonna need a bigger boat!!!!

Tremendous in depth analysis. Thanks for that

Mind blowing stuff. Between this and your expert analysis of the excellent Tongan side its hard to believe you don't write for a national French newspaper.

Beautifully constructed trolling again from Jean. I don't know how he does it.

What makes you so sure that I don't write for [iL'Equipe [/iand [iLe Monde[/i?

But to get back to the original point, I am concerned that many fans on this forum will be bitterly disappointed when England does not win the World Cup. I am trying to ease the disappointment by pointing out exactly why this will be so, where the weaknesses lie, and also give clues to a rebuilding strategy for England, so that it can compete more strongly in 2017.

I don't recall too many people saying they expect us to get to the final, let alone win the thing.

NZ will be a massive test and we will be under dogs, we all pretty much accept that on current evidence.Doesn't mean we go into the game wthout hope, and if we can put an 80 minute performance together we can win i that is being realistic.

Oh, and i will be disappointed if we dont win the WC as i always am, but i dont need it spelling out to me that we are 3rd on paper in playing standards to NZ and Australia.

Well said



and I will say it now win or lose roll on the next one in 2017

Jean bore shocker!!!. Seriously need to get over yourself Jean. Bleeting on and on, as soon as the World Cup finishes it will be post after post of Toulouse for SL 2015.

It's irrelevant who s the best on paper. It is about being the best on the day. Sport is about competing and competition is often unequal but so what. Was Cassius Clay, as was, given a chance against Sonny Liston? Or against George Foreman? In the toughest of sports he triumphed because HE believed and did not show fear. If 17 Englishmen can show that level of commitment, skill, outrage and self belief for just 3 matches they can win the cup. As a nation we should EXPECT them to when you consider the achievements , sacrifice and courage of so many in our nation,s illustrious history.

It's irrelevant who s the best on paper. It is about being the best on the day. Sport is about competing and competition is often unequal but so what. Was Cassius Clay, as was, given a chance against Sonny Liston? Or against George Foreman? In the toughest of sports he triumphed because HE believed and did not show fear. If 17 Englishmen can show that level of commitment, skill, outrage and self belief for just 3 matches they can win the cup. As a nation we should EXPECT them to when you consider the achievements , sacrifice and courage of so many in our nation,s illustrious history.

The tournament will boil down to two one off games for England,80 mins v kiwis and a one off v oz in the final.

We get our best team out for them 2 games and the crowd behind us anything could happen

Kiwi go for the blitiz from the kick off and step off the pedal,withstand the early onslaught and its game on

Aussies go for 80 mins at the same pace we have to match that pace and not slacken off like we did in wales against them

All in all we have as much chance as the other two

Did I mention I have got my tickets for the games



and looking forward to the best show on earth

Barely anyone on here thinks england will make the final, let alone win it. The few that aren't writing england off are in the ''well as long as they are in theres a chance, but probably not'' camp.

I think you need to seek mental help because you are imagining alot of opinions.