So Rangi has been left out of the 17 for this weekends RLWC semi final. It seems like an odd decision to make days before the biggest game of the national teams recent history, given Widdop hasn't played much RL at all since returning from injury.

Rumours of further disciplinary issues involved Rangi and Mike Mc (who's also dropped) doing the rounds too.

Personally I am not a Chase fan following the incident at Featherstone when he deliberately elbowed Ropati, breaking his Jaw and he hasn't really set the England team alight to date.
It is however a strange decision and one which easily can easily lend itself to thinking disciplinary reasons for his omission.
On the other hand is McNamara just being cautious over the bad blood between Chase and Luke.

Either way hes looked pretty poor to be honest, international rugby doesn't suit his style. Don't think there is any need for Mikey Mc either as Roby offers more threat going forward and is an 80 min hooker

I feel sorry for the guy.He hasnt had the best of tournaments but who has in an England shirt. Steve's choices over the world cup has been a weird one i.m.o. Why drop someone who played through the whole tournament and then drop him in the semi's to someone who hasnt played yet

There is a suggestion on VT of being sent home.

I agree that Chase hasnt looked particularly threatening so far this World Cup, but which England player has? They've all been quiet and performed below the level you'd expect after their performances for their clubs this season.

I hear what you're saying about Luke but these are professional RL players playing in the semi final of a World Cup, you'd expect them both to be disciplined and act accordingly so I cant see it being that. The only logical decision at the moment is further disciplinary issues.

It's about time though. McBanana has persevered with him for nigh on 3 years and finally seen sense. Its just a shame he didn't realise that before shafting Brough and making it plain clear that he had no future with England whist he was in charge, hence Brough reverting back to Scotland.

Don't worry , everyone goings to be sent home after Saturday ..

after playing Sinfield Chase as a half back partnership for the lead up & the whole of the comp so far , the Coach bottles it before the most important match in a decade in favour of a player recently back from major injury with only 50 minutes of game time in the whole world cup .

At least Chase & Mikey Mac , who's also been left out won't be in the blame game for the post - match fall out .

It's inevitable that discipline rumours will surface, but doesn't it seem more likely that Chase and Mcillorum have just been dropped? The Chase-Sinfield partnership hasn't worked. For me, they each need to be first receiver, and, so far, that's been mostly Kevin Sinfield, leaving Rangi Chase looking like he doesn't know what to do. Unfortunately, I can't see Widdop being much of an improvement. Sinfield should have been partnered with a busy, running type of scrum-half like Luke Robinson.

As for McIllorum, I can't see any reason barring serious injury (serious enough to involve amputation) for him to be in the team ahead of James Roby.

Given the strength of the Kiwis I would have thought the defensive attributes of Mick Mack would be preferable to Roby,and the impact off the bench important.

I am pleased with our players returning from the tournament uninjured.

That's how I would have gone. We need to make life as uncomfortable as possible for Isaac Luke, and as good a player as James Roby is he doesn't have that "aggression" of McIlorum.

if it is disciplinary instead of tactical it could have been a twitter blooper , on a brighter note for saturday , vatuvei is definately out

Nail on head there pal, don't think the use of the N word was clever tbh ??

Obviously not whilst there's people like you about. It was clear he never meant it in a racist manner and the person he directed it too wasn't offended. Absolute joke if it has anything to do with that.

Let's not kid ourselves he has been poor and that is down to two things, he doesn't play very well to the structure McNamara has set up but also everything has to go through Sinfield. We really miss a proper scrum half (Robinson, Myler, Brough, etc) who can take on the line. Shame people are equating place kicking with necessity to be the first name on the team sheet. you'd think Sinfield was the only reason England are in the SF and you are a heretic if you point out the obvious, judging by the reaction from some of the people on the VT.

Chase has been let down but he has also not been good enough and against France he was awful.

I agree Chase hasn't been great, he looked better against Ireland and Fiji though. Apart from Ryan Hall which England back has looked good in more than 2 games so far? Even in the forwards, I can only say both Sam and George have looked half decent.

The majority on here called it before a game had been played, but Steve McNamera is not the man to lead our national team. As you say everything has to go through Sinfield, he's the first receiver on the majority of plays and it has stifled Rangi's natural game. I see no reason why it won't be the same with Widdop in the halves either.

Fingers crossed for a miracle here.

Not a very bright call.
Chase gives you the X factor.
I don't have a problem with Sinfield at all but he's not a half back.
You need someone who's slippery.
We will lose,sadly.

You'd play McIllorum if you're worried about what your opponents are going to do. You'd play Roby if you want your opponents to worry about what [iyou're[/i going to do. That seems the better option to me.

But we could have played both. McIlorum to start and get at "Luke" and then bring Roby on. Wigan did something similar in the 2010 Grand Final v Saints. They started with McIlorum against Cunningham and then brought Riddell on.

I'm surprised that Chase has been dropped. He hasn't been amazing in this tournament, but who has? He offers something completely different and keeps the opposition guessing. I'm a bit concerned that we'll consequentially lose our creativity. NZ will win comfortably on Saturday methinks...

Id go with burrow over widdop,match fit and offers the bit of xfactor that widdop doesnt

if noble lets chase play his natural game next year i think he'll run riot and you will get to enjoy what weve enjoyed seeing from him in his time at cas

Martyn Sadler ‏@MartynSadler
Rangi Chase has taken 2 days leave with permission from the England camp to be with his partner, who is expecting a child.

Going to stick my neck out and say England to win by six.

Watch out, your mate Michigan Red will be wanting it to be chopped off!

Well I got it wrong but only just and Widdup justified Mc Namara dropping Chase. Damn unlucky today but well played England and to all the players who took us to that Semi.