Did Sam do enough to keep it ?

Did he justify his selection as skipper ?

For me he didn't, we needed someone to give the lads a kick up the backside but he seemed to be more of a sulker who wanted to whack an Aussie, seemed to lose it when the game was slipping away.
Think his natural game suffered because of the responsibility of being captain.

Graham for me for the World Cup.

Graham for me. Leave Sam to just do what Sam does and we'll see him back at his best I think. Graham is used to the responsibility of captaincy

It clearly should have been Graham. He leads by example. Bennett got that wrong. That said, I'm not sure captain is that important.

I agree with all of the above about James Graham. He got the captain wrong. He did not seem to settle on the pack.
All of the professional commentators say settled half backs are the key to success, with all of the chopping and changing he seems to have drawn the names out of a hat.
The centres against Australia seemed to be in every place except where they should have been.
I just wonder can anyone point out anything of significance that Bennett has got right.
He even screwed up talking to the media.
Sadly he reminds me of Alex Murphy when he was a coach. Great in his day, but the world moved on and left him behind. You are right, I am an old codger.

I can see why Bennett chose Burgess for captain, especially after O'Loughlin's absence.
I assume he thought Burgess might thrive with the new responsibility (a bit like when a young Sinfield was given the captaincy at Leeds) and it being an example of him being very much wanted in RL, in sharp contrast to his time in Union.

In truth we don't really know if it's worked or not. The captaincy is obviously a lot more than just what happens on the pitch. Burgess' not so great performances could well have happened regardless of being captain or not. Maybe his desire to prove himself again after his spell in Union led to him trying to do too much?

Either way I don't think he's a disastrous choice and I think we should have some stability and go with him for the World Cup for next year.

On a similar note I'd like to see us start planning everything around a 4 year cycle to each World Cup. I'd like the coach and all the other staff and assistants etc given 4 year contracts based around the World Cup and a leadership team established in the England squad based on the same lines. Ideally with a captain announced in year 1 of the 4 year cycle who will then lead us in to the World Cup in 3 years time.

Burgess decided to whack someone when stood behind two of his own men. That's what a good captain is all about.

I would have O'Loughlin unless he has retired from internationals? Still one of our better pack members when fit.

It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Klemmer started throwing a few.

Burgess did not do a great job as Captain, for his Coach to publicly criticise him to the Media after the game suggests to me that he has had his chance and will be overlooked in the future.

How many minutes does Graham play per game? This is the issue with a prop I would have thought.

Typically Graham is on the pitch most of the time. He tends to have short breaks only at the Bulldogs.

Graham has been a poor captain at the Bulldogs. If Tomkins isn't around should stick with Burgess, I expect him to be a lot better next season.

Tomkins????

Ideally, none of those three! Graham is talking about jacking in his club captaincy anyway, apparently.

Tomkins would do the same as Burgess in my opinion, let it go to his head in the same way a 15 year old may act of they were given a managers position, they'd think their job is just to shout at folk.

In all honesty apart from O'Loughlin there is only James Graham capable of carrying out that role as he has the intellect and experience, it's not just about picking the best player it's the best game manager.

If Williams has cemented the stand-off's role for a while I'd be tempted to give it to him. He's our only player who seems to play with his head up. I also think he's got the confidence to take it on - a very rare commodity in today's younger players.

Tomkins needs to get some time on the field before he is even selected as a Test player.
He looks like his time in the NRL may have broken him.

The captaincy seemed to make Burgess try too hard and try too many things. We need him running hard and whacking people (legally), not throwing balls between his legs and kicking downfield.

In saying that I think he may keep it due to a lack of alternatives. I can't buy in to calls for Graham, he's too emotional and like Burgess I fear that will be displayed in the wrong way. I'm biased but Lockers has the balance just right but will he be fit enough? He was immense last year against the Kiwis and if he can have a reasonably clear year from injury I'd go back to him.

Other players mentioned (Sam Tomkins, Williams etc) have too many question marks against them. The only other player I'd give serious thought to is Chris Hill. He's a super player and leads by example. He seems very well respected and he seems level headed enough to not let it effect his game.

Agree with all of that.

I like Chris Hill but he is another prop and props get rotated. Consequently the captain will be off the field for half the game. As is clear from the discussion there is no obvious solution to this at the moment. Whoever gets picked I don't believe it can be a front row forward.