www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25036184

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25036184

Playing a player in a pivotal position for four games on the run before dropping them for a big semi final isn't common sense.

When did common sense come in to it where McNamara is concerned? I am only disappointed that he hasn't dropped Sinfield from the half back role. Let Widdop and Burrow play there.

Bang on Bob.
But the best England played Against strong Competition, was 20 mins with widdop.

If England have a slim chance of beating NZ, it'll be from a structured game plan and they'll not get that from Chase.

The only upside is mac will get nay credit coz when England lose, he'll be dammed for:dropping Chase and he'd be dammed if he didn't!

Sad he picked a virtual team of all-out forwards.

The move is completely outweighed by the inclusion of Ablett, who will not only get bullied by the NZ forwards, he'll embarrass us with his wind up antics.

Whoever McNamara doesn't include in the starting line up will become an all time great by Saturday evening, when we're all on here thinking about the what ifs, we would be in the World Cup final if only McBanana had picked X, and what was he doing picking Sinfield and Tomkins why not give some Wakefield or London players a chance?

I'm so pleased that Rob Burrow will be unleashed. He's too good to leave out.

I agree that Rob burrow should be in the side, but 'unleashed' doesn't seem quite right. Reminds me of his run in with Sam Moa.

'Cry havoc ! and let slip the dogs of war'

W Churchill

I don't think Ablett will make the 17, he certainly shouldn't given the players available in the named 19.

I think Ablett will be in the centres, Watkins dropped as he seems to have been targeted as the weak link in defence.

Widdop playing is preferable but I wouldn't go as far as common sense, he's been injured back end of the domestic season and been virtually ignored in the WC, common sense would have been giving him a run out v Ireland or Fiji.

Glad McIllorum has been dropped, I've known road repair men that are quicker than McIllorums distribution.

Oh dear god I hope not. He's made a step forward with one selection let's hope he doesn't make two backwards with Ablett who shouldn't be near the 17 let alone a starting back. I'd have liked to see Sinfield moved to but rearranging the half backs too much at this stage is probably too stupid even for Steve Mac.

Cut loose England, and let fortune favour the brave.

You have a point about Watkins being targeted and at times he hasn't looked comfortable with it, that said I still think he is the best available centre and is a better option than Ablett.

I would like to think that Widdop has been held back to make sure he is fit and available for these all important final games. We really need to get the basics right with a good kick and chase game, both New Zealand and Australia thrive on cheap field position and worryingly we have been very guilty of giving way too much field position away so far in this world cup.

I thought Watkins did fine against Greg Inglis in the first game.
He then seemed to get an injury so maybe Ablett is in there as cover.
If Burrow plays he certainly needs to up his game from this season with Leeds.
He is good when the defence tires but I don`t get the impression the Kiwis will tire much.

ATM, it's still only a squad.

I wouldn't put it past McBanana to go back in time, where we play our first choice loose forward (i.e. O'Loughlin) at stand-off, and bring in another player to actually play loose forward, which is what we did in the Ashes series in 97, 01, 03 etc. He'll want extra tacklers on the pitch, with "flair" being sacrificed

Let's leave the debate for another time and get behind our country. Come on England!

Decision vindicated and 4 more years for McNamara.

To be honest, I don't think any other coach would want the England position and I don't think any other SL club would want macbanana as head coach either.

So it suits all purposes I suppose if not ideal.

Same problem all the time.

In 97 we had Farrell in the halves when we could have won if we'd had Tony Smith or Tommy Martyn
In 01 we had Sculthorpe there when we could have won if we'd had Horne/Cooke/Orr
In 03 we had Sculthorpe again when we could have won if we'd had Briers/Thorman/Rooney
In 13 we had Sinfield in the halves when we could have won yesterday if we'd had Chase

Or even W. Shakespeare (Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 1)

Jack, I think there is a theme..