If you have more than 4 out, I think you can postpone. Pretty sure that's been the rule previously.

Didn't Leeds postpone last season due to an international?
Remember something about it but not sure if they actually did??

Personally I'd rather have our better players in the higher quality, more intense matches, and have an excuse to bring in some younger players to see what they can do. If we postpone we just put a lot more pressure on ourselves closer to the time that actually matters.

It isn't like a single round in SL makes that much difference, we run a playoff system. Plus if another team is supposedly as good as us (in table position) it should be safe to guess they will be losing as many players as we are, hence put under the same pressure to show off their depth, and deserve their league position.

I'm all for this match.

That's not the case though! Leeds are likely to have just 3 players involved, while Wigan, Warrington and possibly Saints could have as many as 6 or 7 involved. That means 3 of the current top 6 at a distinct dis-advantage that weekend, compared to their nearest rivals. We are due to play Cas 2 days later, who are currently above us in the table, and are likely only to have 1 player involved.

I'd rather we postpone it, even if we have to play the re-arranged tie mid-week. At least that way, we can still pick our strongest side at the time. We could even play it in the week after a Challenge Cup tie - that way, we could give a few kids a change on the weekend, and play a first choice side mid week against Cas.

England are going to get smashed to bits imo

They did in '09.

I'd expect a couple to back up if we don't postpone the game, Sam, Joel and Lockers did when we walloped Wakey last year, although Lockers limped off after 10 mins.

IIRC this game isn't being classified as an international - that's why the Aussie clubs can hold onto their UK players. Some players back up a couple of days after State Of Origin games but granted the SOO games take place on a Wednesday. Then again. It'll test a lot of club's strength in depth. FWIW I really like the concept - shame it's being played up north tho!

The team at the moment looks like:

1. Brett Hodgson
2. Joel Monaghan
3. Matt King
4. George Carmont
5. Pat Richards
6. Rangi Chase
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Mark O'Meley
9. Danny Buderus
10. Willie Mason
11. Luke O'Donnell
12. Clint Newton
13. Craig Fitzgibbon

Surely Monaghan's a better choice than Buderus?

One word to some this up FARCE why play it when you a round of SL to play it doesnt make sense whatsoever so that means both our games against cas could be being midweek i fear we will not finish top for this reason should we make the semi/final of CC

I think a lot of that will be that you can only pick 3 players from 1 team.

You pick the backline first to Hodgson/King/Monaghan get picked from Wire first.

Webb
Monaghan
King
Soliola
Meli
Chase
Sammut
Mason
Monaghan
O'Meley
O'Donnell
Menzies
Fitzgibbon

No Wigan players

No.Last year we played Quinns away with a weakened team on top of injuries on the same day as the England game and won and the year before we played Cas at home with a very young inexperienced team and sneaked a win.

Both years we've had the option to cancel but GH takes the view he doesn't want a midweek fixture causing extra player fatique etc

I imagine most people will have picked King, Hodgson and Joel Monaghan in the backs so can't pick another Wire player.
Hoffman is a better player than Newton but most will have already selected Richards, Carmont and Leuluai from Wigan.

I think Hoffman, O'Donnell and Fitzgibbon is a must in the back row though. Carmont is good, but Soliola or someone else would be fine in the centres. Those 3 in the back row would give the biggest test to England.

I agree, but Buderus is the captain. Either way if Monaghan doesn't get picked to start he is the only other available hooker (I think) for selection and so he'll just end up on the bench.

He will be on the bench anyway.

Must confess this is the route I went down - not picking Wigan players. Pat Richards will be selected and so too will Thomas Leuluai. With a bit of tactical voting we could see Soliola take over George Carmont.

wire wont miss 7 players as there only playing salford, mite be worth picking some sants as there playing bradford

I'm pretty sure a campaign on here and on facebook through the Wigan fans site could see us pick whatever team we want



Richards, Carmont and Leuluai however will rightly play though as they are the best players in those positions IMO and they have chosen to play so I hope they have good games and don't get injured. This could be a cracking game in truth.

For me this game will prove whether or not overseas players majorly raise standards. If England win easily, do we really need so many overseas players? If exiles win easily then we should relocate super league to PNG.

Just suspend the round and play it on a Bank Holiday Monday, week before have the games all on a Friday similar to Easter.

Saints/Wigan/Wire are all at a disadvantage for no good reason other than to put some money in the back pocket of the RFL.
PLUS how many people can afford two games one after another? club or country no contest for me.

Against Aus or NZ then it would be country.

Against a team of players thrown together for this fake international test, it is club every time.

How much are tickets for this game? They need to be dirt cheap to get a sell-out and build demand.

Brett Hodgson
Joel Monaghan
Matt King
George Carmont
Pat Richards
Rangi Chase
Tommy Leuluai
Willie Mason
Danny Buderus
Mark O'Meley
Clint Newton
Craig Fitzgibbon
Luke O'Donnel

David Fa'alogo
Kylie Leuluai
Tony Puletua
Steve Menzies

Shame no place for M. Monaghan but think with the limit of 3 per club I think King, Hodgson and J Monaghan will be the Wire places. Same for Ryan Hoffman with Richards, Carmont and Leuluai looking like they will get the Wigan spots.

Not for me, Wire over England no matter.

This is what is wrong with the international game. I am not blaming you in any way but if more people put the country before their club then the international game would boom.

I would personally rather see England win the WC than see Wigan win the GF.

Completely agree with you Odem. To try and fix the selections is completely idiotic. Time for some of these so-called rugby league fans to get behind the concept instead of treating it like an obstacle to their season. I want to see a team that'll tear into England and prepare us for the 4 Nations. Unlike some 'fans' i'd like the international game to succeed. And, if it means we have to play a weakened team for one weekend, then so be it.