He doesn't help himself though by saying he's picking "on form" and with an eye on the future then completely contradicts himself with his selections!
He is and always will be a leeds legend but i also think he got it seriously wrong at the WC as did the players.
At this moment in time i don't think he's done the team or himself any favours with his selections either.

So, Friday night was not good, the antipodeans look in a differnet class so far. Which players should Smith have picked that would have made a significant difference to Friday's performance? Which players is he leaving out that the Aussies and Kiwis are mortally afraid of?

If we struggle again in this year's international tournament, various fans will call for the coach's head. Fans of all clubs will fervently believe that if he'd picked their hero instead of somebody else it would all have been so different. And they'll all be wrong. The forwards have a chance of achieving some parity if they put in a big effort. I still wouldn't rule out us picking up a win in the next 2 weeks, but even that won't disguise the fact that we are desperately short of outside backs in this country. That isn't Tony Smith's fault.

Is he the right man for the job? I honestly don't think it matters.

He's not the right man for the job, his ego has allowed his effected his judgement.

The team hasnt got the right ballance and has a criminal lack of attacking options.

The first part may or may not be true. The second part probably is true, but I'm not sure it's a coaching fault, do we really have the players available, particularly in the back line, required at the very top level?

I think that there is something psychological that stops GB performing. Basically we haven't the hunger and desire to win that the Southern hemisphere teams have.

Rugby is close to Christianity in NZ, it's intense from Jersey Flegg all the way to the top in Australia. It's a meal ticket for you, your family and your tribe in the Pacific Islands. What is it to our lads now? It used to be a way out of the mines, out of the mills, steelworks and out of construction. And many players went back to those professions after their playing days. We all know that. What is it now? Just way out of Subway and off the doors of nightclubs for a lot of them. Hardly the same motivation is it?

It's interesting to see that the question of underperforming England teams across the board doesn't get linked to the debate on what it means to be English. To pull on that shirt should be the ultimate accolade and should engender some of the "Empire building" spirit that put England at the forefront of Industry and all things good in the first place. But it doesn't. It seems to me that English players respect the jersey more because it is a demonstration of what they personally have achieved rather than as an opportunity to go and do the job for the glory of their country. What we saw from the Kiwis the other night was grim determination and an almost tribal hunger to put one over on their neighbours.

The one thing that will go Englands way I reckon is the fact that neither side takes us seriously enough to play with any kind of intensity. the question I'd ask is will England?

Is Tony Smith the right man for the England job? I don't think so because to be honest I prefer an Englishman leading his national side. BUT, if his mind games and general demeanour can implant some form of pride and passion into the national jersey that the Leeds players had in theirs. Might just work.

I agree with you. Other than Senior Shenton has been the best british centre in the competition this year. So if thats our only option then you can hardly blame the coach.

That said though, I am a big believer in games like this in having big game players, not necessarily players in form full stop. Personally I would have had Smith at fullback, and Price and Gilmour in the centres, but thats an option the coach as decided to not consider.

When was he last one of them????????
It's not hull in the CC final we are talking about,i agree gilmour should of been in the squad as should senior but to name pryce a "big game player" is 2yrs out of date imo.

Its difficult with the limited options Smith has but my backline would have been:

1.Lee Smith
2.Tom Briscoe.
3.Leon Pryce.
4.Keith Senior.
5.Ryan Hall.
6. Sam Tompkins.
7. Danny McGuire.

At least this might give Aus and NZ somethink to worry about, as it stands they can almost go into the game knowing that GB have no threat in the back line.

No its not. Leeds might well have him under control, but he still puts in some other good performances throughout the season.

Regardless of how we like to laugh at him going missing at Grand Finals, you don't lose class like that. The centre pairing I suggested with Smith at fullback gives far better balance.

I don't think he's shown that class for 2yrs mate and especially at centre!!
I agree we are short of quality amongst the backs but i wouldn't have Pryce in there!

Are you basing your judgement on the performances v Leeds or throughout the last two seasons because if its the latter you are wrong?

Pryce is still a quality player, he can step of either foot and is tactically aware of what is going on around him, he offers a real threat and that is what GB need.

I suppose that would tie in with my continued conviction that 6 isn't his best position.

Your proposed back line would seem to present a bit more threat, but I still doubt it would worry the Aussies. I also find it hugely disappointing that Senior has retired and we haven't even produced anything close to being an adequate replacement for him. That is worrying.

How often has Pryce shown his 07 form????????
Not only that when was the last time he actually showed anything for GB/England???????
This is an opinion of course we don't want another p#ssing contest of stating our opinions as fact do we richie??

He hasn't hit the heights but neither have Saints and he is still their biggest threat in terms at running at defences.




By that criteria we may aswell pull out and play Ovenden in the comp.