Widdop is more of an old fashioned 6 who plays off Cronk, he won't have the same platform for Eng as he will for Storm.
Secondly Eng don't play to Sam as Wigan do, he's never as effective as a FB for England as they don't use him in the 3/4s or as a second receiver, whereas they would if he was a 6.

I feel either or really.

widdop at 6 but also maybe atkins instead of yeaman???

Whilst I wouldn't claim parity with Australia, I'd argue this set of backs is the best we've had in years.

Widdopp isn't the finished article yet. At the Storm he played definite fourth fiddle behind Smith, Cronk and Slater. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets brought into the play more often next season, as when it came to the crunch playoff game the big 3 were shut down exceptionally well by the Warriors.

Widdopp does have massive potential though. He's not lightning quick but he's got a great rugby brain, and good passing and kicking (when allowed). This tournament will form a good part of his learning process. Personally I'd put him on at 6 and see what he can do.

Reed was named one of the top 2 centres in the NRL this year by Big League Week (or whatever its called). He has been a huge success for the Broncos. If anything he (and Ryan Hall) may be suffering from the fact that they've been shunted to the right to enable Yeaman/Briscoe to play on the left. Reed can play right centre but is probably more effective on the left. Hall has barely played on the right for Leeds. The real issue - again - is lack of strength in depth. If we had better options on the right, you may well have had Reed/Hall (or Reed/Briscoe) on the left.

Its also a nonsense to 'blame' everything on the coach. He may not be everyone's cup of tea, but McNamara has added 3 quality players to our paper-thin squad in a matter of months. He's also picked a team witha plan in mind and is sticking to it.

My ony changes at this stage would be Widdopp to start, and put another prop on the bench. Whilst mobility helps against Australia, underestimating just how physical they are is not going to end well.

Stick Widdop and Chase in the halves, and I have a feeling we will beat Australia.

I'm not saying that if we do stick them two at halves, i just have a feeling England are gonna win

I'm of the opinion that if we don't do the percentage things, we won't be close enough to benifit if one of moments of individual skill come out. I don't think doing the % stuff will win us the game, we need something on top of that, but the simple stuff gives you the platform to work off. Without, you're giving the Aussies a head start.

The basics have always got to be there of course but we won't win on those alone. If we go in with an attitude of 'let's keep it tight and make no mistakes' playing a gameplan of 5 drives and a kick we'll get hammered.

We need a balance but I'd really like to see us chance our arm. The kiwis have never beaten the Aussies without a few risks being taken.

Agreed, its like p*ssing into the wind.



I am finding it really difficult to get excited about the match on Saturday, although I think our backs have improved dramatically with the likes of Widdop, Sam and Reed coming through to be established internationals we are still left with the inept muppet at coach with his backwards style to coaching.

England have a 14 point handicap. Who would your money be on?

I think we'll keep inside that just about so I'd back England.

England 16

Australia 24

1st try-Hall

Mom- Thurston

Att- 43500

Atkins isn't in the 4 Nations squad

I don't know about a 14 point start; England probably need at least a 20 point start. I can see us getting absolutely thrashed if the Ozzies get a roll on.

I just hope that the forwards can be competitive and we avoid embarrassment, with some magic from Tomkins to give us some consolation in what seems almost certain to be a heavy defeat.