George Burgess owned them up front. I thought Fifita would have done well off the bench but none of them were anywhere close to George Burgess. I thought Widdop did alright and we played more expansively when he came on but we were already under the pump by then. I saw nothing from Chase to suggest that he is an international half but I don't think Burrow is the answer either.

You thought Widdop did all right, but Chase nothing?



Dear god, Widdop was garbage. Chase did well.

Your right Burrows isnt the answer but he would have done good. the answer is the reigning man of steel but hes ing about with some part time players trying to win the RLWC!!! pfffttt waste of time..

Agree about Tom Burgess and Mossop, they were the only real disappointment. Coughed the ball at critical times in the first half as well which helped the Ausies back in the game.

Hill's offloads really worked well.

I also thought Roby quietly went about out playing Cameron Smith.

I like Tomkins at FB, we didn't get enough possession in the right part of the field to fullly exploit his attacking skills, but I think he should stay at FB. Chase put some massive hits in today, deserves another crack.

Agree about dropping the other three. All that bollocx from Cameron Smith about being happy Widdop wasn't starting is exactly that.

Definitely not Chase and Sinfield. Firstly Sinfield is no half back and not been much good all season anyway.

And Chase never knows what he is doing never mind his team mates.

A good half back pairing today and the Aussies would have been bet.

Tom Burgess and Westwood not knocking on in midfield when we had momentum in the first half.

Westwood and Sam Burgess not giving away head high shots.

Westwood not incorrectly PTB underneath the Aussies posts when we'd got the momentum back after George's try.

Charnley not hustling for the 40/20.



Avoid them and the Aussies get beat. With the halfback pairing we had.

We have some good half backs in SL.

McBanana should hang his head in shame, he was supposed to be selecting on form, not on reputation.

That doesn't really answer the problem though does it?

I don't care if you're Widdop, Brough, Burrow, Smith, Thurston or Cronk.

If your forwards knock on in midfield your halves can't do much,

If your forwards give away head high shots your halves can't do much,

If one of your forwards can't PTB correctly near the opposition goal line your halves can't do much,

If your winger doesn't hustle hard enough for a 40/20 then your halves can't do much........REGARDLESS of who they are.



If we were to beat Australia today then it was going to take 17 guys to do it, that so many on these boards are so obsessed with 2 positions maybe coming up with 'special' stuff is weak and lazy thinking towards the game. Wigan are a perfect example this year of having 'non exciting' halves yet being EFFECTIVE.

My God you REALLY seem to think that the presence on the field of Danny Brough today would have been the difference between England beating the Kangaroos and losing to them

Bang on this.

For me personally i'd have had Ratchford on the bench instead of Widdop and Crabtree/Graham for T.Burgess/Mossop plus after Westwoods stupidity and Ablett with the ridiculous penalty he conceded on Slater if the Coach is Ruthless both will drop out of the 17 for Farrell and O'Loughlin.

One thing to note also in the cold light of day is the Aussie team were at about 65/70% today imo and in the end won fair and square they will only get better the big ?? for England is if they can raise their game for the full 80 in time for a crack at the kiwis.

I thought Sinfield was one of our better players tbh, he doesn't have that ability to attack the line at full pelt like Cronk or Thurston but everyone knew that before the tournament. He's our 7 for the rest of the WC, I just hope he doesn't get moved to hooker again.



Widdop tried to do that when he came on I showed a lot more than Chase.