So, Widdop showed his NRL class then?

He went ok. Our attacking patterns were set by the SL class of Sinfield, Roby and O'Loughlin.

Our 2 starting props certainly did the NRL proud though.

It seems wrong and harsh to try and highlight individual mistakes in a game like today's. Every single player gave it everything, and to make the wrong read or drop a ball in a game with such intensity is understandable. It was played in the right spirit and I don't know how more of them weren't injured. A brilliant advert for our sport and I'm immensely proud of them all, and to be a rugby league fan.

How much game time did Ablett get today?

Enough to share his experiences with his Leeds team mates of the same bench club.

Our right side could have made more of their chances, but I'd say that there were some poor decisions rather than just quality defence. Think the NZ left side was weak, and there were half-chances where 1) Watkins passed too early, 2) Tomkins held on with an overlap, 3) Charnley was positioned in front of Watkins denying him a line-breaking pass, 4) Charnley couldn't finish off a clean break.

None of these were terrible pieces of play, but I reckon the Hayne and Morris partnership would have scored from at least a couple of them. And that's the difference.

Agree with you about Burrow though. Roby and Graham were having hugely influential games. Taking them both off at the same time was a mistake. Burrow is best brought on when the game needs changing, which it didn't.

Dunno how accurate these are, but according to George Riley:

Sam Burgess: 18 runs, 206 metres, 29 tackles, three offloads, one line break, one try assist, one try.

Wowser.

I thought they were both outstanding. Our whole forward pack was awesome, but those two were immense.

James Graham was outstanding yesterday without doubt

However, the way he played yesterday there has to be a strong argument for Sam Burgess being the best forward in world rugby at the moment and I do include SBW in that. He can play prop, loose and second row with ease and just looks unstoppable at times.

I have also been very impressed with Chris Hill in this tournament - slightly quieter yesterday but looked class in my opinion throughout.

What a shame only one of these players plays in Super League

James Graham played 62 mins 16 runs for 137 metres made 41 tackles

Thank you. Thought so, his work rate was immense, that tackle count for 62 minutes and for a prop is phenomenal.

Very Peacock esq yesterday. Really set the platform.

The stats of the official website are:

Sam B: 173 mtrs - 19 Carries - 28 Tkls - 2 Miss Tkls - 6 Busts - 2 Cln Bks - 0 Err- 3 OLs - 1 pen - 1 try - 1 assist
Graham: 151Mtrs - 19 Carries - 36 Tkls - 0 Miss T - 1 Bust - 0 CBs - 0 Errors - 1 Pen - 0 try - 0 assist
Sony Boy: 141 Mtrs - 20 carries - 33 Tkls - 4 Miss T - 2 Busts - 0 CBs - 3 Errors - 4 OLs - 0 Pens - 0 Try - 0 assist

Deserved MOM for Sam but also outstanding display from Graham. The stats do not record his passing skills as he plays a lot at first receiver and helped create the first try. He also (I think) made (with others) the last six consecutive tackles in the match.

What a never say die rugby nation New Zealand are! Not only do they win the RL World Cup semi against England with a last minute conversion but today their Union boys beat Ireland with an exact repeat of the same in the last minute.

The third best player IMO was Sinfield who despite his tragic missed tackle and missed conversion was also outstanding. Sport can be so cruel but it is this unpredicatability until the final whistle that makes it so special.

Sadly, if they wish to truly compete at this level our forwards need to be based down under.
There's no way that Sam B would be the player he is now had he stayed in the UK.
The longer off season & the better coaching that they get there is the reason for that.

Don't agree at all. Burgess and Graham were already excellent players in this country, and that was whilst young.

Remember, Westwood, O'Loughlin, Roby, and Hill, also played their part in yesterday's forwards display.