Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:09 pm  

Wello is overlooked purely down to his age - he's comfortably the best English full back, he proved that this season.

Widdops inclusion shows the unfortunate incompetence of the England head coach. He is playing not because of ability, but only down to the fact he lives in Australia and is on the wage bill of an NRL club. If you include last weeks match against the Mauris (I know it wasn't a full test match) he has now played just as many games for his country as he has for the Storm. He shouldn't be in the squad, let alone starting 13.

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 2:50 pm  

I think we really suffered for having such an inexperienced line up which was changed again. It took us the first half to work out who was playing where, only to have to do the same again in the second half when Atkins went off. We have no continuity from one game to the next, much less one season to the next. Apparently only four players from today played in the world cup - and that was only in 2008. How anyone can expect us to compete on that basis alone is surprising. However, I thought we did better than I'd anticipated but that was because of that purple patch in the second half. Hard to believe we actually beat the Kiwis in the second half.

Our defence, error rate, kicking game, follow up and commitment has to improve 100% if we are to stand a hope of avoiding a humiliating mullering at the hands of the Aussies next week.

I did like the BBC pre-match coverage though.

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:27 pm  

No disrespect to Wello who is still probably England's best full back but it proves that our backs are poor compared to the Aussies and Kiwis.

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:55 pm  

There are a number of players in the England Squad and especially those who played today should be nowhere near an International Side. Everybody was hailing Gareth Widdops performance against France but lets be quite honest France are no where near the standard of NZ and Australia and he was found out this morning. Ryan Atkins was very poor he offered very little in attack and was poor in defence. Kevin Brown is a very good Super League player but isnt International quality infact far from it. Darrell Griffin is just a steady Prop Forward who doesnt offer much really at all.

Our kicking game was absoultley dreadful. We lacked intensity in the first half and got shown up big time. There have to be changes to the team next week or at least a 100% improvement on line speed, tackling, kicking game, attacking play and aggression. If we dont Australia will give us a hammering next week and possibly overtake the 60dd points they scored against us back in 2002.

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:17 pm  

rammsteinbloke wrote:

Wello is overlooked purely down to his age - he's comfortably the best English full back, he proved that this season.

Widdops inclusion shows the unfortunate incompetence of the England head coach. He is playing not because of ability, but only down to the fact he lives in Australia and is on the wage bill of an NRL club. If you include last weeks match against the Mauris (I know it wasn't a full test match) he has now played just as many games for his country as he has for the Storm. He shouldn't be in the squad, let alone starting 13.

Sams the best english fullback, but if he has to be in the halves due to lack of other options then I'd have Wellens at FB. Least you know he can defend and catch a ball.

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:29 pm  

inside_man wrote:

Sams the best english fullback, but if he has to be in the halves due to lack of other options then I'd have Wellens at FB. Least you know he can defend and catch a ball.

He is also has fantastic positional sense and is always there on the shoulder, waiting for the offload. All those aspects were missing from the fullback today. And he wasn't even much faster than Wello either!

I felt sorry for Widdop actually. He's had to step up to a far greater degree than the rest of the players given that he's only played in reserves matches so I suppose it's unfair to be too harsh on him. But McBanana has to keep him away from fullback from now on IMO for us to stand a chance.

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:30 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

He is also has fantastic positional sense and is always there on the shoulder, waiting for the offload. All those aspects were missing from the fullback today. And he wasn't even much faster than Wello either!

I felt sorry for Widdop actually. He's had to step up to a far greater degree than the rest of the players given that he's only played in reserves matches so I suppose it's unfair to be too harsh on him. But McBanana has to keep him away from fullback from now on IMO for us to stand a chance.

I'd argue SpacNamara has to stay away from the England role for us to stand a chance...

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:57 pm  

Not a good performance. Very poor attacking wise and not much go forward.

Congratulations to the RFL for giving Mcnamara the job though, I mean, he's record speaks for itself doesn't it.........................Oh wait a minute.....

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:19 pm  

inside_man wrote:

Sams the best english fullback, but if he has to be in the halves due to lack of other options then I'd have Wellens at FB.

This is correct.

Re: england... : Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:42 pm  

inside_man wrote:

Sams the best english fullback, but if he has to be in the halves due to lack of other options then I'd have Wellens at FB. Least you know he can defend and catch a ball.

I know what you are saying but Sam is not an out and out full back compared to Wellens.
Personally I would play Sam at stand off,for me his true position.