Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:13 pm  

This is one of the best crops of prop forwards we've had for a while and competition will be tough. You have Graham as one cert to be starting and then Sam Burgess will probably play at 13. It's quite hard to pick the other starting prop and bench men though.

For me, my other starting prop would be Chris Hill, he's a big man and can make the yards and tire out opposition forwards early on. I'd take him off after about 20 minutes and unleash big George Burgess off the bench to skittle anybody left standing. I'd also have Ben Westwood on the bench, but rotate him as a prop, he'd be a similar style to Gallen and is more than aggressive enough to mix it in the middle for me. The third prop is a hard one but I'd give it to big Alex because I like him.

Another player who I think, surprisingly, should be pushing close is Ben Flower. He's been very good for me whenever I've seen him this year and he's certainly a better pick than Mossop at this point, who for me has been average.

I also like Andy Lynch but he never seems to be in with a shout.

I'm sure I've missed someone out but that's just testament to the depth we have in the position at the moment, if only we could produce some halfbacks.

James Graham
James Roby
Chris Hill
Liam Farrell
Gareth Ellis
Sam Burgess

George Burgess
Ben Westwood
Alex Walmsley
Danny Houghton

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:30 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

This is one of the best crops of prop forwards we've had for a while and competition will be tough. You have Graham as one cert to be starting and then Sam Burgess will probably play at 13. It's quite hard to pick the other starting prop and bench men though.

For me, my other starting prop would be Chris Hill, he's a big man and can make the yards and tire out opposition forwards early on. I'd take him off after about 20 minutes and unleash big George Burgess off the bench to skittle anybody left standing. I'd also have Ben Westwood on the bench, but rotate him as a prop, he'd be a similar style to Gallen and is more than aggressive enough to mix it in the middle for me. The third prop is a hard one but I'd give it to big Alex because I like him.

Another player who I think, surprisingly, should be pushing close is Ben Flower. He's been very good for me whenever I've seen him this year and he's certainly a better pick than Mossop at this point, who for me has been average.

I also like Andy Lynch but he never seems to be in with a shout.

I'm sure I've missed someone out but that's just testament to the depth we have in the position at the moment, if only we could produce some halfbacks.

James Graham
James Roby
Chris Hill
Liam Farrell
Gareth Ellis
Sam Burgess

George Burgess
Ben Westwood
Alex Walmsley
Danny Houghton

I don't think Liam Farrell is good enough yet to play against the Aussies. I think they will be to big and strong for him.

I'd put Hock in the place of Liam Farrell. He's a total idiot but can't deny he's world class on his day.

Lee mossop?

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:34 pm  

St pete wrote:

I don't think Liam Farrell is good enough yet to play against the Aussies. I think they will be to big and strong for him.

I'd put Hock in the place of Liam Farrell. He's a total idiot but can't deny he's world class on his day.

Lee mossop?

Hock is world class on his day but the Aussies will rile him and he will be good for a few penalties. I don't think we can afford to piggy back them up the field with the strike they have in the backs. Once Thurston, Cronk, Inglis, Hodges and Slater get within try scoring distance they'll be hard to stop.

I'd personally play a strong, dominant, cautious game against them. Bully them in the forwards and hold our discipline and try to starve them of possession. Perhaps you're right about Farrell if we were to play that way, playing Westwood at second row and bringing in another prop may be a better option.

I mentioned Mossop briefly, I think he's been average this season, no better than any run of the mill SL prop.

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:39 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

Hock is world class on his day but the Aussies will rile him and he will be good for a few penalties. I don't think we can afford to piggy back them up the field with the strike they have in the backs. Once Thurston, Cronk, Inglis, Hodges and Slater get within try scoring distance they'll be hard to stop.

I'd personally play a strong, dominant, cautious game against them. Bully them in the forwards and hold our discipline and try to starve them of possession. Perhaps you're right about Farrell if we were to play that way, playing Westwood at second row and bringing in another prop may be a better option.

I mentioned Mossop briefly, I think he's been average this season, no better than any run of the mill SL prop.

I think they will fear Hock in the way they did when Barrie mac played for GB. Hock is big, tough and can be devastating if used correct. We need to meet fire with fire and hock won't take a back step.

Paul Gallen is also a penalty machine and easily riled but the Aussies always pick him as he brings aggression and a presence.

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:41 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

Hock is world class on his day but the Aussies will rile him and he will be good for a few penalties. I don't think we can afford to piggy back them up the field with the strike they have in the backs. Once Thurston, Cronk, Inglis, Hodges and Slater get within try scoring distance they'll be hard to stop.

I'd personally play a strong, dominant, cautious game against them. Bully them in the forwards and hold our discipline and try to starve them of possession. Perhaps you're right about Farrell if we were to play that way, playing Westwood at second row and bringing in another prop may be a better option.

I mentioned Mossop briefly, I think he's been average this season, no better than any run of the mill SL prop.

Mossop has been injured to be fair but if you think he's been average, I dread to see how you'd describe Gaz Ellis! Ellis IMO been below average but has also had injuries.

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:42 pm  

Doubt Mcnamara will have another hooker on the bench but i would be tempted to take Houghton especially give Roby's recent injurys. Jammer will definitely be a starting prop so id probably go for something like

Graham
Roby/Houghton
Hill
Westwood
Ellis
S. Burgess

Crabtree
G. Burgess
Farrell
Hock (Possibly T.Burgess depending on whether or not Hock becomes a liability)

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:45 pm  

St pete wrote:

Mossop has been injured to be fair but if you think he's been average, I dread to see how you'd describe Gaz Ellis! Ellis IMO been below average but has also had injuries.

I agree Ellis has been way below what you would expect of him, but he does have the touch of class which I don't think we can afford to miss out on. Ellis is a player who I would be confident would turn up for big games which is why I would pick him.

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:47 pm  

St pete wrote:

I think they will fear Hock in the way they did when Barrie mac played for GB. Hock is big, tough and can be devastating if used correct. We need to meet fire with fire and hock won't take a back step.

Paul Gallen is also a penalty machine and easily riled but the Aussies always pick him as he brings aggression and a presence.

If the Aussies weren't as strong in the back line I would pick Hock most definitely. No other country in the world has as much threat as the Aussies in the backs and so they can afford to sometimes give away field position. I just think if we keep giving Aussies free metres they will punish us.

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:48 pm  

Graham
Roby
Hill
Hock
Ellis
S. burgess

Crabtree
G.burgess
Westwood
?? Utility player ???

I'd like to see something like above. I've not been to impressed with Ellis this year but I'd him benefit of doubt and he's proven in the NRL.

I think McNamara will play o'loughlin at 13

Re: Props for England? : Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:50 pm  

St pete wrote:

Graham
Roby
Hill
Hock
Ellis
S. burgess

Crabtree
G.burgess
Westwood
?? Utility player ???

I'd like to see something like above. I've not been to impressed with Ellis this year but I'd him benefit of doubt and he's proven in the NRL.

I think McNamara will play o'loughlin at 13

I forgot about O'Loughlin and Crabtree. They'd certainly be there or there abouts, Crabtree in particular has always turned up against the Aussies.