Five-eighth is an alternative name for stand off or number 6

, Widdop showed his class when he came onto the pitch in both the games against Wales and France he is heads and shoulders above Sinfield in terms of being a five eight and therefore should be played there. Just noticed your a Leeds fan boy, I'm not knocking Sinfield he is a decent loose forward but an average stand off.

It will be similar to the DW game in 2009. They'll give us a pasting first half and then relax allowing us to score some points and make it look respectable.

I hope it'll be that anyway because if they open up on a pitch like that then it could be Melbourne 2008 or Sydney 2001 all over again.

To be honest I think stand off is probbly Sinfield's best position. He's a little under-sized in the back row and doesn't carry it up enough, especially at international level. He's not close to being the best 6 in the England squad though (probably fourth behind Chase, Widdop and Tomkins) so why he keeps getting the starting berth I'll never know. He hardly set the world alight against France or Wales. McBanana is weakening the bench by only picking three forwards, especially with two being back rowers. If he is to persist that way then have either one of Wilkin or JJB on there and rotate Sinfield into the back row if we're spelling forwards. We have to have four props!

Australia are going to win by 30 plus and that the stadium will be half full are facts? I'm glad you're not my lawyer.

On a positive after all the poor selection choices note I'm fully behind what ever team plays and pleased England are back in a stadium fitting for our sport.

I know what 5/8 means, I fust find it funny when English RL fans use Aussie RL terms. Widdop has played 1 season at stand off, he's played less games than Sinfield in that position (Sinfield has won 2 GFs playing at stand off). I don't necessarely think Sinfield should be first choice, but he's not the worst choice either. Nobody else in the squad can organise and kick as well as he can and I can see why the coach thinks he should be in the side to compliment Chase, and Widdop's running skills.

think it will be far closer than many people are predicting

My brother was on a training course in Loughborough this week and coincidentally staying in the same hotel as the England squad.

As he seemed to be the only person in the hotel who knew who they were he got quite a bit of time chatting to them.

He said Darryl Powell and Sam Tomkins were quietly confident about Saturday's game but the overall impression he got was that they were all relaxed and ready to give it their best shot.

I'm off down to the game, more in hope than expectation but if we keep it competitive for 60 mins I'll be happy.

My prediction; 6 points in it at 50 mins then the Aussies to run in a few more tries and win by 18-22 points.

Im hoping for a close fought game, I think about the quality we have in the squad with players like Sam, Widdop, Ellis etc, and feel like we could sneak a win here, then I remember who is coach and just feel less optimistic.

I don't post often but I am England through and through I hope the team don't log on, negative, negative, negative I believe England can win I have hope if you don't then support some other sport and pass your negativity on to that for god sake people believe , England by 4 :-p

You do realise that Sinfield, even if he has 6 on his back, is effectively playing a scrum-half role? He's playing the same role as Cronk and a Sinfield-Widdop combo would allow Widdop to play his natural game whether he's wearing 7 or not. England looked most effective vs Wales with this combo, and it should Chase not Sinfield who is benched. And Carvell for Wilkin.

a-teamsport.com/2011/11/luke-lew ... al-to-nrl/

a-teamsport.com/2011/11/luke-lew ... al-to-nrl/

BBC for me because of it being in hd as i cant get hd on sky sports . The commentary is going to be just as bad on BBC as it is on sky , its just going to be an aussie love in on both channels . If you listened to these clowns that do the commentary youd think australia never do a thing wrong . Its pathetic

This

He can come and playing in the cherry and white for a few years if he likes then.

Quote ="BIGBOY23"BBC for me because of it being in hd as i cant get hd on sky sports . The commentary is going to be just as bad on BBC as it is on sky , its just going to be an aussie love in on both channels . If you listened to these clowns that do the commentary youd think australia never do a thing wrong . Its pathetic'" In HD for me also, but i'm puzzled by Bilko's listings here: www.rugbyleagueontv.co.uk/, because there is no such thing as BBC2 HD.

Quote ="BIGBOY23"BBC for me because of it being in hd as i cant get hd on sky sports . The commentary is going to be just as bad on BBC as it is on sky , its just going to be an aussie love in on both channels . If you listened to these clowns that do the commentary youd think australia never do a thing wrong . Its pathetic'" In HD for me also, but i'm puzzled by Bilko's listings here: www.rugbyleagueontv.co.uk/, because there is no such thing as BBC2 HD.

Quote ="TheSurgeon"In HD for me also, but i'm puzzled by Bilko's listings here: www.rugbyleagueontv.co.uk/, because there is no such thing as BBC2 HD. '" You can't be that stupid surely? It's on either BBC 2 and BBC's HD channel.

Quote ="TheSurgeon"In HD for me also, but i'm puzzled by Bilko's listings here: www.rugbyleagueontv.co.uk/, because there is no such thing as BBC2 HD. '" You can't be that stupid surely? It's on either BBC 2 and BBC's HD channel.

I struggle to see what McBanana see's in Wilkin, he offers nothing.

Last week Luke Lewis was crunching the Kiwis all game and ran hard and did good lines, that's what an International 2nd row does.

I'd love to see Bailey or Carvell in before him.

I see you've changed from 80% empty. So around 100% out on each.

Really need Graham and Ellis to pull through for next week. Aside from 3 rediculous decisions by the officials in 10 mins they were another reason the game went away from us.

I'd love us to win next week and get another crack at the Aussies. They look like you can really get at them and Slater will be a big loss. We can afford to make the silly errors we did yesterday against them but we've got loads of improvement in us. They will say they have as well but we shouldn't forget the Aussies had 2 warm up games against the Kiwis compared to ours against France and Wales.

I said last night id bench Chase but after watching the replay I've changed my mind. He had a nightmare couple of moments but he's such a threat and he deserves a chance to learn his lessons.

As for the 3 games we've played recently I'm again wanting Widdop to start and Carvell to come on to the bench.

And where were you?
Probably watching the borefest at Anfield. I know who got better value for their money yesterday.

It's no good good moaning about losing players to RU when the =#FF0000majority of RL fans can't be @rsed supporting their national side.

Well said

Agreed. Yesterday was a great day for the sport.
Can't believe how many Aus /NZ support there was! Thought the atmosphere in the lower tier was pretty good. Kids enjoyed the Haka and the Mexican wave!
Family ticket (2 Adults, 2 Kids) -£30, amazing value for two matches!

For the game against the Kiwis I'd go with

1 - Sam
2 - Hall
3 - Reed
4 - Yeaman
5 - Briscoe
6 - Widdop
7 - Chase
8 - Graham
9 - Roby
10 - Peacock
11 - Ellis
12 - Westwood
13 - Sinfield

14 - JJB
15 - Morley
16 - Carvell
17 - McIllorum

Not really, 40k and a 16 point loss is still poor, your standards are very low.