Cheers, just watched it, can never sleep on a sunday night.

Smith was pi55 poor as was McGuire.

Burgess, Tomkins, Eastmond, Ellis, Crabtree and Graham all did well the rest did ok/average.

Why??....Seriously, player for player, we just can't hack it at international level, its proven year after year.

Yes, occasionally, we can up our performance and grab the odd win, but when the Aussies (and Kiwis) are at their best, we can't live with them, whatever side and whatever coach we have in place.

I hate to say it, but the only chance we have to improve our national side, is to have a good dozen or so of our younger players to get signed up with Aussie sides in oreder to improve the intensity of their games...Super League is not the correct breeding ground for international rugby, the NRL is. Look at how Morley's game improved, as has Ellis's, plus, as a psychological bonus it earns you the respect of the Aussies, whilst eliminating the obvious fear factor the English players presently have when playing international rugby.

Or then there's the truth (yes I know that as a Wire fan you don't really do the truth!

) that once he'd made it plain he no longer wanted to be at Wire TS threw a hissy fit.

Player for player I agree with you we're not as good.

But look at the Kiwi side that won the World Cup, on paper were they the better team? Hell no. Australia had a far superior looking side on paper but the New Zealand team won. It's down to getting the most from the players you have got and how many players have replicated their form in Super League at International level? I bet you can count them on one hand.

A coaches job is to get the best out of the players they have. Wayne Bennett would achieve this from his players. Not to mention the benefit of having our best players in Super League work with one of the greatest coaches in Rugby League.

Look at the impact Nathan Brown has had at Huddersfield. Are Huddersfield (on paper) a better team than Warrington or Wigan? With respect they are clearly not. But Nathan Brown had them all well coached, well conditioned and was getting the best out of his players. Do you not think Eorl Crabtree has come to life this year?

Wayne Bennett appointed as England coach would be the greatest move the RFL could make. It is possible if we offer the right money. Having a coach of that caliber and with his expertise would do wonders for our International players and international game as whole.

I agree, however, its fair to say the Gleeson move suited all parties.

Internationally though, its knackered Gleeson, because Smith got to see his true colours, and obviously didn't like what he saw.

How many Scottish footballers have replicated their Scottish Premier League form at International level??....

Hardly any, because Scottish league football is $h!te and most Scottish footballers, in comparison with other nations, are $h!te too.

Same rule applies to British Rugby League....poor league, average players.

Get them off to the Aussie League and watch an improvement....2 weeks with Wayne Bennett at the end of a season would be a pointless waste of money.

Using a footballing analogy again, why have so many of the so-called smaller nations improved over the last 15 to 20 years??....It wouldn't have anything to do with them gaining experience in the highly competiitive leagues of England, Spain, Italy, etc, would it?...

The first meeting of TS's first day in charge according to my source in the Warrington club.

If you what you say is anywhere near the truth, then you have to really worry about the advice that Gleeson has received from any career advisors...



1. Gets mixed up with Sean Long, and then, rather than hang around like Long did, join the perennial under acheivers, Warrington.....Result??....Miss out on a few medals whilst under acheiving with Wire...



2. Eventually just as Wire get a half decent coach on board, Mr Gleeson decides to tell him that the club is going nowhere and demands a move...Result??...Misses out on a trip to Wembley and another Winner's medal...



I hope his agent isn't on commission....

Or perhaps he saw what TS is capable of in the WC and decided to jump ship before his career sank any lower and join a club on the up.

It was a move that suited all parties, no doubt. However, I think it's one-sided to say TS saw his true colours. You have no idea of the reason for his move. Let's be honest, Gleeson had played under Smith quite a lot and was in a position to make a choice of whether he wanted to play under him at club level. I find it interesting that Gleeson has gone from Captain and playmaker to 'can't even make the squad' under Smith's tenure. The only factor between the two events is his leaving Wire. It's not as though he had played badly for GB/England prior to being dropped. That says more about Smith than Gleeson if you ask me....

Watched the game again and McGuire was worse than I thought:

FB Shaun Briscoe
RW Lee Smith
RC Chris Bridge
LC Michael Shenton
LW Ryan Hall
SO Sam Tomkins
SH Kyle Eastmond
P James Graham
H Kevin Sinfield
P Adrian Morley
SR Jamie Peacock
SR Ben Westwood
LF Gareth Ellis

S Sam Burgess
S Gareth Carvell
S Eorl Crabtree
S Richie Myler

Not a big Bridge fan but we're a bit short of choices without Senior, Pryce, Gleeson and Atkins. The only other option is Roby on the bench with Myler at SH and Eastmond at C but I don't think Roby's up to it in attack this tournament, all he does is tackle.