Hmmm : Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:38 pm  

Didn't think international RL as far as GB/England was concerned could do anything without the backbone being made up from Wigan born players. Got to admit, Sinfield, Roby, Graham, Yeaman, Westwood were Trojans tonight. Let's hope they do the same next week and really give it to the Aussies. Graham was outstanding, reminds me of Brian McTigue, a prop who plays like a stand off, takes it all without retaliation, does his job brilliant. Well done.

Re: Hmmm : Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:42 pm  

I didn't see one NZ forward tonight that got the better of his opposite number.

We won that game by bossing the pack.... even the backs dominated the collision in the tackle.

Hall was superb.

Re: Hmmm : Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:51 pm  

They were all great, the most balanced, professional performance I've ever seen from a GB/UK/English team. Can't criticise anyone. Rugby league is great.

Re: Hmmm : Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:55 pm  

Ovavoo wrote:

They were all great, the most balanced, professional performance I've ever seen from a GB/UK/English team. Can't criticise anyone. Rugby league is great.

Absolutely spot-on.

Re: Hmmm : Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:56 pm  

Ovavoo wrote:

They were all great, the most balanced, professional performance I've ever seen from a GB/UK/English team. Can't criticise anyone. Rugby league is great.

does Mcbanana get any credit?

Re: Hmmm : Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:02 am  

morleys_deckchair wrote:

does Mcbanana get any credit?

The best thing he has done is pick a team and stick with it. There is no doubt that consistency has helped us get to the final.

Re: Hmmm : Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:05 am  

Ovavoo wrote:

They were all great, the most balanced, professional performance I've ever seen from a GB/UK/English team. Can't criticise anyone. Rugby league is great.

It was a dominant performance. But to beat Australia we've got to be better defensively on our own line and a hell of a lot better in attack. We need to post points when in their 10m area and based on the first half it's debatable if we're capable of it. We need to give Chase and Tomkins more responsibility in those areas and miss Sinfield out.

Re: Hmmm : Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:08 am  

morleys_deckchair wrote:

does Mcbanana get any credit?

As a player he was always 100 %, as a coach, especially of Bradford, he looked out of his depth. As England coach, he's had the chance to look at players, much as the Aussies have been doing for a while, who could fill the gaps we so obviously lacked. So in that sense, yes he does deserve the credit, especially after the criticism he's had. The team tonight were superbly drilled and a lot of this has got to come from the coaching team.

Re: Hmmm : Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:12 am  

Powell seems to come of age somewhat from his indifferent leeds days. Doing great in the championship. maybe deserves the chance to step up into super league again!

Re: Hmmm : Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:15 am  

morleys_deckchair wrote:

does Mcbanana get any credit?

yes he does.

he's scoured the world for a team bringing in several nrl players plus chase. english or not some of these guys may be, this is the way in modern sport

playing a settled team only bringing in players when injury occurs

not panicing after a defeat

playing an attractive style of rugby - how many times did we see a tony smith side, for example, playing it tight straight down the middle. he knows he's been blessed with flair and finishers (hall, tomkins, briscoe) and he's using them.

his next challenge is to make sure the team belive they can beat the aussies next week, his team selection will revolve only around who to leave out if ellis is fit, and the team are playing well enough to win. for me its about the mental side of coaching this week coming