Looking forward to see how Crabtree goes against the Aussies.

They'll need to defend Sinfield wider and Peacock in the middle on that team - defending Peacock out wide will leave him exposed to the footwork of the likes of Slater, Lockyer etc.

Hope so. Think he may have been a little over hyped. Tomkins looks a better prospect IMO.

rlTony Smith not expecting to make the final.rl

You've got to admire his honesty if nothing else.

Unless that article has been changed, I'm not sure where your summary of it comes from?

I'd say that was our best available side, from players selected

I'm guessing it's the quote from Smith himself, referring to the week after this as "the final week". Which would imply the tournament finishes for us then.

Guess he means final week of the group matches?

That's how I read it - obviously not as much of a pessimist as tvoc and Gotcha.

Leon Pryce still not been found then?

I really don't understand Smith. He's saying he always intended to play Tomkins this week. Why not decide your best 6 and 7 and settle with them.

Another baffling quote/selection from the national coach.

The New Zealand round robin fixture would not represent the 'final week' if he expected England to be in the final.

The swapping and changing of the scrumhalf in this fixture is another oddball comment. Hasn't he already done that in the Wales and France fixtures?

If he does I wonder why Lee Smith has been selected?

If this tournament is a training session ahead of the world cup I am glad I haven't wasted any money on tickets.

They should be going all out to win this tournament if they want to restore any credibility in international rugby in this country.