It should also be pointed out that some of the withdrawals were definitely due to serious injury - JWH and Johnson for starters. Foran also not being in the squad actually shows that in terms of halfbacks the Kiwis have a first choice pair on a par with Australia, but almost zero beyond that (an over-the-hill Marshall should have been picked but he and Kearney don't get on). England's best isn't as good, but at least we have three or four combinations who actually play 6/7 for their clubs.

Although I'm glad from a Leeds point of view McGuire didn't get selected. The form he was in that last month of SL, a big part of me would have loved to see him play the kiwis. I expect he'd be able to fill what we're lacking in our half back partnerships. Even if he is over 30...

If only it was that simple. Most of us agree we have the best, most exciting sport on the planet. But still we play to play to crowds of 10k. While borefests in yawnion, soccer & American football sell out due to the hype surrounding them & the desire to want to be seen to be there.

Yes, I'd agree that marketing is probably of greater importance than performance in terms of attracting new fans. But if you are looking to performance, I'd suggest any type of win holds greater interest than another gallant, albeit stylish, defeat.

Well, if you consider who they have missing

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Kieran Foran
Tommy Leuluai
Shaun Johnson
Manu Vatuvei
Simon Mannering
Jason Taumalolo

That's 7 KEY players. including their halves, captain and NRL loose forward of the year.

Seven key players in one team? Don't think I've seen the like in 40-odd years of watching the game.

Are the stats from the game available anywhere?

if Leuluai and Vatuvei are "key players" then the Kiwis really are struggling.

So what? If Australia have an injury chrisis before the World Cup should we not bother with that? Why do people still bang on about Vatuvei too? He really isn't missed that much.

World Cup isn't as problem.

4 nations, isn't a problem.

A Test series IS a problem - NZ and Aus have never been that bothered have they?


You can BET your bottom dollar that if it was a World Cup, rather than a one off test series, some of those 'injured' players would be over here.


Its always 2-1 - certainly keeps ticket sales flowing if nowt else innit?

Dont you think?

Leuluai would be off the bench and a half option and Vatuvei would replace Kenny-Dowall on the wing who would replace Kahu in the centre to the bench.


Fair enough if you don't keep tabs on the NRL though - understandable.

Bit of a mix of two threads and a tad unrealistic / over optimistic BUT if Burgess was to sign for Leeds / Souths this week would he be brought into the England RL team? He still looks fit but surely the number of runs / tackles in league would be hard for him to keep up with so quickly? Would be a great media boost for RL.