I just assumed that on seeing the tea sheet.

that's how I saw it, in fact I thought Tom had a mediocre game for him to earn the the MOM and Connor would make a good team up if he's ok on the left as he normally on the other side, Burgess bros made a hell of a difference in the first half what a pair their make

If Makinson comes straight back in he's a lot too live up to now well done Tom

Where can you watch the highlights online....anywhere??

it was on live on the RFL website so it might have highlights on there

Found em www.rugby-league.com/england/art ... d-v-france

Found em www.rugby-league.com/england/art ... d-v-france

It's a little disappointing that Bennett appears to already have his team picked for the first game.

Regardless of how well some of the lads played they couldn't have played their way into the team. That must have been frustrating for them.

I thought Johnstone did enough to warrant a place on merit, as did Oggy Holmes in my opinion. I thought the left edge of Connor, Holmes, Percival and Johnstone was outstanding - and it came as no shock to me that the points dried up when that was split up 15 minutes into the second half.

Having watched Australia v NZ last week, the centre battle between manu and Mitchell was absolutely ridiculous. They are just phenomenal.

It does highlight a massive weakness in England - we don't have a centre even close to those two.

That said, Lyne can only be better than whatever else is out there, and I think last night he did pretty much all he could. He ran well and made no mistakes.

Its just a position where Australia and NZ have a huge advantage on us.

Lyne went really well last night, put a shift in and went looking for the work right up to the end. Not sure that’s enough to get himself in the frame for NZ.

TJ finished his chances off but didn’t think he really saw a lot of the ball in the wide areas. Some strong carries out from the back which we’ll need against NZ. He’d be unlucky to miss out now.

Holmes had a good game but unlikely to displace the main 2nd row options and he’s due on a plane to PNG with the Knights.

I thought Lyne had a decent game but I wished he'd given the ball to MacGillivray after that break down the right wing.

I'd have to watch it back to be sure but at the time he seemed to get closed down fairly quickly by the French and was maybe better hanging onto it than throwing out a low percentage pass in traffic that ended up going nowhere - that quite a few players did last night.

They never showed a replay but MacG was on his inside. May or may not have got tackled but RL should have passed.
Good performance by Tom Johnstone. Great to score hat trick especially since the only other times he touched the ball were from acting half back.

Looked to be a bit of a risky pass as there were a few bodies around, and probably the right decision to hang on (first tackle, I think). I think we scored from that set? So, right decision...

I did think that the more streamlined Lyne of 3 or 4 seasons back would've scored - he's quick for a big bloke now, but he used to be lightning fast.

Not seen a replay but at the time I though Mcgilvary was caught short, don't suppose he was expecting Reece to do them on the outside and by the time he'd made up ground Reece was having to check his run and was closed out by the defense.
Should have gone on his own and not checked his run, mcgilvary wasn't there at the time the decision had to be made.

course....I could be completely wrong about that..



Ollie Holmes had a banging game in that first half.

Reece was right not to pass in my opinion.
Too much traffic and a try was always on the next couple of plays.
Everyone would have said he was rubbish if he'd passed and the ball went to ground.

It's not as if Lyne is a wingers centre either. He will, more often than not, back himself to score than pass.

I'll bet Percival was under Saints orders to keep TJ frozen out to aid Makinsons standing.

Never got a single pass off Percival

Well worth the trip over to Leigh (especially as the live stream was so poor).
Unbelievable debut from Johnstone, took his tries really well and he fully deserved the MoM







Also though that Lyne had an excellent game, got through plenty of work in defence and looked pretty strong with ball in hand.

It would be great if they both get some game time against the Kiwis and Johnstone would be more difficult to overlook

knowing Wayne from over here -don't read anything into what he says in the press

It was a half chance at best as JM had slightly over run it. It might of come off who knows but debutants tend not to want to take risks early in the game.

Good break and good yardage and that’s enough in itself imho.

Having looked at the highlights, I don't think the pass was on - McGilvary was flat-footed by Lyne's turn of pace and wasn't in position, so taking the tackle was a good decision; and we scored off the set, which kind of makes the argument moot.

What does stand out, is that both of our players gave a very good account of themselves - makes even the most cynical and world-weary Wakey fan very proud.

Totally agree, it's obvious how well they both did as had either of them been even slightly under par the trolls would be all over this forum.

Imagine if either had managed a debut as bad as Sutcliffe! We'd never live it down

I really rate Sutcliffe but that will have put his career in reverse in 5 seconds of play. Bennett doesn't like mistakes.

I'm sure he'll be under pressure from Gildart but I'd like to see Reece against the Kiwis. He did well enough to be in the mix.

For Tom..... short of trashing WBs car he has to have a guaranteed place.

Problem with Sutcliffe is that I'm not sure what he is and I don't think he is either. Being billed as the natural heir to Sinfield probably hasn't helped.

All the same it was as bad a debut as TJ's was good.

Agree he should be in the mix and just thinking about previous picks from WB, he likes his s to have some size and be good defensively and imo I think that fits Reece well. Plus he's got the pace that we've lacked when Bateman plays there and although there are maybe better passes of the ball, he's got far better at putting his winger away the past couple of years.

Don't get the hype around Sutcliffe and never have done, touted by every man and his dog as the next big thing but I've never seen him have a good game? For me his name is built from a fixation by Eddie and Stevo that he was the next Sinfield ... he wasn't even stand out at junior level really, not like RH.