I was too young to notice

Lad.

I would.

I think the Maori have given Mcbanana and co a wake up call this morning.

From what I gather, England just didn’t bother turning up attack wise in the second half. It was either that or we had a more determined opposition wary that four nation places may still be up for grabs. If not now then maybe in the future.

Just seems to me that England have used these last two friendly’s as nothing but unwanted run outs. We should of beat NZ Maori and Cumbria with ease, just like we beat the French with ease in midseason.

On a more positive note It should be a different ball game next week, but I’m not getting my hopes up. The best English players are either injured, internationally retired or not even called up and boy it has shown in the last two games. I really couldn’t imagine Peacock, Sinfield, McGuire, Gleeson, Burrow, Eastmond and Keith Senior drawing in games like this.

I also want to add that a lot of them players mentioned where involved in the heaviest of defeats against Australia in 2008. But this England squad seems to be getting poorer rather than richer.

Change in tactics. We went up the middle more, for some reason. But we also lost Tomkins, meaning Brown played and Brown is not up to the job. Robinson was good so if Tomkins is fit next week (he took a knock to his ankle) then the halfback pairing should be Robinson and Tomkins IMO. However, our kicking game needs to improve 100%. It was, frankly, rubbish. Our defence also has to improve. Hopefully Morley will be fit again next week because we can't cope with only three on the bench for most of the match. The Maori were much livlier in the second half, gave us a real work out, which is exactly what we needed. Rangi Chase was excellent and his kicking game spot on.

This is shocking considering Brown has been one of Huddersfield’s better players as well this season. If we didn’t get anywhere going up the middle in the second half, then what happened to that best pack in the world that England where boasting about not too long ago?

We’ll probably see some sort of improvement next week because much more is at stake. However I doubt that’ll we’ll see that rlnew world Order that Ryan Hallrlwas talking about before going over.

England seemed to have gone backwards under Steve McNamara and I think it’ll shock us all if England pull a win against either of New Zealand or Australia.

LOL

Stop trolling Damo

Englands pack was very good 1st half with Ellis and Westwood being my personal favorites. They went through a massive workload and made yards for fum.

Stomkins was very good while on but my worry was that when he went off we looked flat. Brown looked lost at this "higher" level and after Westwood was pinged for a double movement @ 18-0 it was all Moari with us not really looking like scoring.

Anyway, just watched the 1st half of the Kiwis v Samoa game and we will have to sort our marker defence out if we are to compete. They are cutting it up around the ruck and that is somewhere we fell short today. Also look to see Atkins/Hall get a lot of traffic coming thier way as the Kiwis right side attack looks very strong.

They have looked vunerable themselves though, especally defending the offload. The Samoans havent scored but have had quite a few chances to and I would like to think that in the same positions we might have ot over a couple of times. I also think that Roby can make some inroads around the ruck himself so i'd like to see him making a few darts with a man on each side of him.

Obvously though this is Steve McNamara we are talking about and I wouldnt actualy be surprised if he had left the ground and not realised next weeks oponents were playing straight after us.

I got up early before going to work to watch the England game, but could not stay to watch NZ. I am concerned by the comment that NZ look strong down their right and will be likely to channel attacks down Atkins/Hall as the two didn't seem to work together on defence all that well. It appeared to me that Atkins left Hall isolated on a number of occassions, often with 2/3 men to cover. Our defence in general allowed too many offloads, at one point I think the stat was NZM 24 Eng 8 and that was after about 60 minutes. The better teams will crucify us if we let them get a second phase regularly.
I understand a large proportion of the team will be jet lagged or focused on next week, but surely we have more to come than this?

Don't kid yourself. Not enough home grown talent in the SL I'm afraid.

We have got some good forwards....but....surprise surprise they have NRL experience. England like Leeds will depend on some individual brilliance from one particular player to make any inroads. It's not going to be good to watch.

Luke Robinson should start in place of his totally anonymous SL team mate.

Widdop,Briscoe,Atkins Hall all solid enough. I don't really see what Shenton offers us though.
Luke Robinson very good, Kevin Brown totally anonymous.
thought Roby was a dissapointment, Westwood and Gaz Ellis very good,big Eorl did ok too.
I just cant see us beating NZ or Australia though, might scrape a win against PNG

i read on the teletext Morley might be out for the whole tournament,ruptured bicep.

Off for a kip now before Leeds v Middlesboro' been up since 4.30