By picking 2 standout young halfbacks and a s[ihi[/ithouse pack? I don't.

Stevie Wonder could pick our s[ihi[/ithouse pack.

Its took him till more than likely our last game to pick the standout young halfbacks together.

And as for the backs....

Don't lump everyone together, I'm happy with Bridge's inclusion. He's been picked in his best position and is young enough to develop as an England regular. On top of this he's done plenty of game time at 6 so adds some organisation to the skillful but inexperienced halfbacks. He can also kick goals when Sinfields off. Much better option than Lee Smith.

Funnily enough though every expert on the boards was naming McGuire at 6 at the start of the tournament as he was one of the few players who didn't disgrace himself at the WC. And with regard to the backs, he can only pick whose available. The 3/4 line is representative of the English players in SL, you could pick other players but would pretty much be swapping like for like.

Only for 20 minutes.

He's been playing above his weight for the past few seasons and it's telling on him now.

Likewise i've got no problem at all with selecting Bridge as right centre, infact i'd chosen him for my team choice for this week. He's an actual centre, and he's a decent sized lad, he'll go ok.

I'd originally been toying with the Ellis as right centre idea, but tbh our left hand line worked really well against Aus so i'd be reluctant to change it at all by altering the left second rower, not sure if we should line Sam or Kyle up in the 7 position defensively or not. Worked well with sam, but the right might need him more since we're playing Peacock at right 2nd row again (and his mobility does bother me).

As for Peter Fox, hmmmmm the Peter Fox from earlier in the season? Yes, the Peter Fox from the end of the season? Not a chance.

And look what happened in those 20 minutes at Wigan.

Pass me those jump leads !!!!!

Don't worry. We're only playing New Zealand.

Well we've all got what we wanted in Sam starting at 6. It's now essential he starts better than last time out - and I believe he will. However, there's no escaping the fact that he was trapped in the headlights in the first half against the Aussies.

Credit to Smith for making the changes - many of his predecessors wouldn't have done it.

I'm not totally happy with things (Roby?) but it's time to offer unconditional support now!!

At 6 +7 we have got what a number of people wanting 2 of the most exciting young half backs we have produced in a number of years.

Breaking the Sinfield McGuire Leeds boys club was essential, they were killing our play, I feel a little sorry for Briscoe dont think he did too much wrong hope he comes back bigger and better for his experiences, the lad has bags of potential reginds me of a young Adam McDoogle.

Would have liked to see Sinfield at 9, but for the first time in a long time I am genuinly excited by our half back combination, bring on Saturday.

My biggest concern also. I hope by the time Roby is benched and Sinfield takes over we are still in the game. I don't want to be too hard on Roby because I thought he tackled well but we certainly looked far better with Sinfield at dummy half.

What's the weather going to be like. Our pack would like the wet but our half-backs would like it dry. Not sure which I would prefer.

Are you serious? Surely playing Sinfield at 9 would mean the only players he passes the ball to are Peacock and Hall in your world.

Come off the drugs Jon.

I wouldn't have picked Jamie Peacock for the second row. I would have put Sam Burgess there to start and be utilised in the second row and just have Peacock as another prop. We have made slow starts to every International game we have played. I understand Burgess makes great impact but we need some impact right from the start as well. Some big hits put in, in the opening stages of the match.

Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond is a brave decision but the right one IMO. I am looking forward to seeing how they both get on.

Chris Bridge at centre is a tricky one. If I am honest, I haven't seen enough of him in games to given an accurate analysis if that is the correct decision. He has never stood out that much when I have seen Warrington play. But if he can tighten up that side of the defence and offer some pace in attack then it could be a good move. I hope so.

Tom Briscoe is a bit unlucky IMO. Unless Tony Smith has seen something I haven't, I didn't think he did that much wrong last week. I thought it was more Smith and McGuire than him. Still he is very young and maybe that intensity is too much? Peter Fox I think is over rated but his greatest asset, his speed, could be very effective against the Kiwis if he finds open space because they're not a particularly quick team. More power than speed from what I have seen of them.

The rest of the squad I pretty much agree with. Jon Wilkin is an interesting inclusion, hope he can rise to the occasion. He certainly is a talented player on his day.

They naturally gravitate towards each other they know each other too well from leeds, the point is though they are not good enough at this level to break teams with the plays that work for them in SL.

You pass to your runner as a hooker regardless of what colour domestic shirt you have, that bond between Sinfield and Mcguire was stifling tge team.

I have just watched the game back from last Saturday and i actually didnt realise how well Sinfield did at hooker to be honest. We look much more orgonised and he seem to play the old fashioned hooking role. I must admit i have never really rememberd him playing there for Leeds but i know Brian Rouse (Rouges) has mentioned him playing there a few times. IMO after the second half he had there when on he should be starting there saturday aswell. He just did all the basic things so right and offers a good kicking game from around the ruck. Maybe abit hasty to form an opinion off only seeing him play hooker for half a match but IMO hes a much better 'international' hooker than he is loose forward

Some good points there Scott. I have been telling you for years that these new fangled 'running' Hookers are a flash in the pan and you're finally coming to my way of thinking

That side looks better than the previous two imo, other than the fact our centres are still poor. Saying that, when you don't pick your best two centres you're always going to struggle.

Anyone else more up for this game than the aussie one ?

The Aussies will always be the big game for me

Not a bad selection considering the coach is Tony Smith.
Peacock in the 2nd row is a worry. He was the problem in the first 20, nowhere on the right side defence leaving McGuire, Smith and Briscoe exposed and stranded. JP missing gave Inglis the ten yard wide gap he never needed.
Happy with Bridge at 3 as he can beat a man no problem. Fox is faster than anything the Kiwis have. Sam and Kyle at hb is the unknown. Both can be brilliant but I bet the Kiwis will be worried about those two.
Sinfield to start at 13 and go to 9 when Roby is interchanged. Wilkin then to go to 13, which IMO is his best position anyway. Diskin is a big ommision from Smith's squad.
At least Moore and Myler are nowhere as neither are good enough at this level.
I think they'll beat the Kiwis!

Neither was Sam Tomkins against St Helens in the play offs at Super League level, what does that mean Jon?

Was the hooker (a none Leeds player btw) passing to the right more often than the left? the side where Tomkins wasn't, was he in on the "Leeds old boys club" aswell?