If you want a defending hooker then fine, but that isn't good enough on the International stage. You need more than that which Sinfield has proven to be more effective than Roby in attack. It doesn't say much for current hookers in this country does it when a stand in hooker proves to be better than a hooker who plays in that position week in week out.

You want a defending hooker when you have great big aggressive blokes pounding at your line. Not only that but Roby's passes were 100% better last night than the previous week. I watched the match a second time and looked out for him. He didn't fire a bad pass at any time he was on the pitch and he made yards every time he ran. In fact, I don't think the Kiwis quite knew what hit them with all these scampering 'skinny' guys coming at them!

Oh, and Roby plays an impact hooker at Saints. His presence on the pitch always raises the pace, which is what he is supposed to do. He may want to play the full 80 but he needs to develop his game to do that. He was far, far more effective last night when playing from the bench.

Sinfield at hooker has quite possibly been more about him being given a position from which he can organise the team around the park, a clear role rather than his previous position which is not quite so clear-cut. I don't see why Sinfield's performance should somehow negate Roby's? Roby has always had his own role, which he performed very well last night because he was allowed to play it (as was Sinfield).

I was a little uninspired by Smith's use of Roby, tbh. He brought him on after 20 and left him on. He didn't particulary rotate him like an impact hooker is usually.
Copped a couple of harsh penalties early on, but walked past his opposite number for Fox's second try.

I was a little suprised at Sinfield as MoM as I would've given it to one of the big guys. Those guys (even little Jon Wilkin) really manned up in the face of a massive opposition pack and took everything thrown at them.

the one thing that frustrated me was that we always seemed to get bogged down on the 4th tackle, just as we prepared to spread the play. I think that's why Eastmond and Tomkins didn't get the ball in hand as often and as quickly as we could of.

why do some folk have to pick out any player from last night and give them stick, all 17 played as a team and did a great job on the world champions, it was a very good performance from england, i hope tony smith gets a new contract for the job, he gives the young lads a chance, and is letting them get the experience they will need for when it gets to the next world cup in 2013. well done england, we are going in the right direction, and we will only get better

That was all down to Eastmonds pass,he put It on Bridges outside shoulder.It was the pass that beat the defender,Bridge then threw a forward pass which thankfully wasnt picked up. In saying that he deserves another chance and theres no point In splitting the left hand defence again.

Double post.

The problem is, we believe we can beat New Zealand, we don't believe we can beat Australia.

Don't we? After the second half performance last week, we should do.

Couldn't agree more. It's definately an inferiority complex against Australia - but why?

We regularly turn NZ over, they regularly turn Oz over. Funny old game.

We gave Oz far too much respect in the first half, at least we now have a chance to avenge that. Get in their faces from the off & we may give ourselves a chance, stand back & watch them it'll be a cricket score

thats why the youngsters act fearless compared to the "old guard". Dont think the aussies liked the fact that tomkins and eastmond didn't follow the act in awe in front of them script! We give them too much respect and they have a 12 point start before we even walk on the pitch

Thats exactly what NZ do when they play them, hence they get the results. We don't, we stand back and let them run through us like we aren't there. We have to be aggressive and get in there faces to stand any chance.

I think Roby has struggled a little in this series. He lacks sharpness & I wonder if he is either tired or carryong an injury because his performances in the play-offs & GF were also below his high standards. Sinfield has been great in this tournament at hooker, but when he switched to 13 wasn't as effective again? Think this shows he is better organising the team around the ruck. Cameron Smith is recognised as the best now & he does excactly the same for Melbourne & Australia, so it isn't a bad template to follow.

I thought England were great last night & I was really proud of what they achieved by beating a very good Kiwi side. However, Australia will be made up that they've got us because it takes England too long to score points. We had loads of pressure on both Australia & New Zealand last night and still only got over for less than 20 points in each game. Australia can simply go 100m in 12secs were as it takes us loads of repeat sets & penalties to get over.