That was NZ, not Australia.

I actually think our outside backs are pretty good at the moment, and can match the Aussies; but we struggle at 6 and 7

Smith is averageness personified. No shortage of effort but lacking in ability. A poor kicker & misses far too many tackles. Kevin Brown is streets ahead of any other English resident HB. Not that there is much better than Smith in England at 7.

I don't think he'll play anyway, I think Tomkins and Widdop will be the halves.

Halves being able to play "off the cuff" is very overrated especially in this country. Having 2 halves that can do the basics well, provide a structure with a good kicking game is more vital than a bit of acceleration and a good side step. I'm not sure Smith is really good in any particular area, but I think he'd be a step down from Sinfield was last season.



Moving Tomkins into the halves, and having Hardaker at the back will sure up our defense, and give us a bit more pace on the fringes. Tomkins also has a very good passing range which has developed well over the last few years and he's now a far more rounded player in attack IMO than he was when he first moved to FB.

I cant say i have watched much of Tomkins this year but in his Wigan days i remember his long kicking game being pretty poor. Also, regarding Widdop, having played with both Cronk and Marshall I cant imagine he has been the one tasked with heading up the kicking game for a team (though I may be completely wrong on this, I very rarely manage to catch any NRL matches).

With Smith in the team, although limited in some respects, you are pretty sure to have a strong kicking game. If we are to beat the ozzies then the victory will be centred primarily around the armwrestle in the forwards. Good kicks resulting in good field position are essential if we want to win this particular battle so i would probably give Smith the start if I were in Mcbannas shoes (unless I'm wrong on Widdop and he's a British Xabi Alonso playing the wrong sport).

Pedant.



NZ is a better team anyway.

I think, importantly, neither Cherry-Evans or Cronk are unplayable like Thurston and Lockyer used to be. They are exceptionally good and better than what we have but you can shut them down if you are prepared to commit to it. Whereas Thurston and Lockyer would destroy you no matter how many players you committed to them. NSW have shown that for the last three years at Origin.

Jammer will eat em anyway, so the backs should not have much left to do.

Didn't he get 12 matches the last time he did that?

But he's back to finish the job. Yum Yum....

Australia have never shied away from picking steady but unspectacular halves.I actually think Smith/Widdop promises to be England's most effective (if not necessarily most talented) half back combination for quite a long time.

Who are you thinking about?