Burgess will cop a ban for the high shot, so O'Loughlin to come straight in for him. Graham in for Tom B, George was a revelation. Definatley can see the impact he's had in terms if 1 years extra development down under. No matter who we stick at 6 and 7 for the next two games at halfback, we will win comfortably, but Sinfield Chase partnership is not goof enough versus the Kiwis in the semis. Chase needs to play 7 call the shots and be allowed creative freedom alongside Widdop. Both will run direct at the line and ask questions. It's plain and simple, it doesnt work as it is. Sinfield just gets in the way.

Plenty to work on, silly errors just before half time gave the Aussies a chance to get back into the match and they don't need another invitation.



Plus points for me were G.Burgess, Hill and Ferres in the forwards, The centres went well in defence.



Negatives for me were Mossop, T.Burgess, Westwood's penalties, the half back combo still doesn't look right.



I would be tempted to try Widdop from the off next week with Burrow on the bench. Graham & O'Loughlin in for Mossop & T.Burgess (Sam if he gets a game ban).

I always thought it would be a tight game, what with the Aussies not having a warm up game.



Good effort though, I thought Roby played well considering the amount of time he’s been out.



Once again, not respecting possession was a killer, along with some stupid penalties, the pick of the bunch being Ablett’s on Slater, did he think he was wearing an invisibility cloak?

I still don't think thre is a place for Sinfield in this side anymore. He doesn't have the pace to play in the halves and there's no point moving him to hooker because we have better hookers already in the squad. Even his goal kicking - one of the main reasons he's in the side - was not good enough today.

Picking Tom Burgess looks like a mistake to me, he's just not quite there yet and when you consider Crabtree was sat in the studio as a pundit, it makes even less sense.

Sam Burgess was poor today. Dropped balls, giving away pens for crossing and then the crucial missed tackle on Slater. He will also be picking up a ban for that stiff arm on Thaiday. A ref with more balls would have shown him a red card for that shot.



At this level teams should not be getting penalised for crossing, getting their defensive setup at a scrum all in a mess, and mouthing off to the ref to the point where we get marched back another 10. We made some really basic mistakes and these players should know better - you don't get away with it in SL and you won't get away with it here.



There were some promising moments but just as many frustrating ones as well.

Tompkins, Charnley, Watkins, Cudjoe, Hall, Widdop, Chase, Graham, Mcilorum, G Burgess, Westwood, Farrell, O'Loughlin. Roby, Hill, Mossop, Ferres.

Probably an indication that McNamara isn't unique in being an incompetent coach.... I always remember the amazement that Deryck Fox used to get chosen ahead of Gregory - If the internet was around back in those days, then Fox would have been ripped to pieces, because he was a pale shadow of Andy Gregory, yet somehow got in ahead of him.



If we are getting nostalgic, then can I throw John Woods and Tony Myler's names into the mix, because both were top class....Christ, we were spoiled back then, compared to the mediocrity we have in the side right now...

I don't think Gregory and Edwards ever played together as GB halves against Australia.



John Woods a points machine but not a great SO for me. Myler was utter class but suffered from injury and did not have quite enough pace. But his skill and strength made him one of the best players of his generation on his day. I remember when Widnes played Australia and Sironen was in his prime. Sironen charged up to make some hard yards away from his own line. He ran hard at Myler who just stopped him dead in a standing position, without taking a backward step. Extremely strong player.

Nice rant.



You are Kevin Sinfield and I claim my £5...









I'd be inclined to reply sensibly if I could be bothered trying to win a dickswinging contest on an internet forum.

If Woods was playing in the present era, he would be a shoe-in for this England side..... Unfortunately though, this era is obsessed with set-plays and stifling natural talent, so Woods would be restricted to playing in a channel (

) and would probably look ordinary.



Woods or Sinfield at stand off??....

You cannot play Westwood and McIlorum in the same team.

The problem England have in the halves is that you need to malgamate all the ability of Sinfield, Chase and Widdop into two players to get two decent halves out of them.



Brough would have been the better choice and would have complemented anyone of the other three.



Fair play to Crabtree for staying positive in the studio rather than saying how the fook did Tom Burgess get in before me.



Despite everything that is not a great Austrailian team and could have been beaten.



The difference was lack of concentration, some silly mistakes and penalties.



If that game had been played with Graham, O,Loughlin and Farrell instead of Tom Burgess, Westwood and Mossop England could have won.

Sinfield is a much better all round rugby league player. I would, seriously, prefer him. If you said Sinfield or another from that era, Eric Hughes it'd be Hughes. More pace and better tackler than Woods.

John Woods NOT a good stand off........ you're clueless or myopic,

or both.