The best part of the game was during the national anthem. I thought Gareth Carvell was the last man in the line until the camera panned around and showed Rob Burrow hiding behind the 10 year old mascots.

I didn't see that until I got back from the match and watched it back. It was funny!

The build up was good actually and the band and chorus were really lucky that it stayed dry. But everything went downhill once the whistle blew!

Whoever plays the St George mascot is fantastic. He was very entertaining.

Yeah I agree with you. It's a shame that it wasn't a dry night, Exiles clearly wanted to play expansive rugby and it could have been vey entertaining. Hopefully the weather will be better in 3 weeks time and we'll see a better standard of play.

I've always been negative towards McNamara during his time as a super league coach as I didbt think he was a good coach.

However, his time as England coach I'd slightly warmed towards him for some good forward thinking, the exiles concept was his idea and begged all super league clubs to back the concept (which in theory is great idea), he also was the brain behind the knights which again is great idea but last nights team selection turned me against him again!

How can he put Ablett in the centre and not pick Goulding? Goulding and charnley had formed a very good partnership and in all honesty had been the form pairing in super league.

How can he pick rangi chase in the halves before lomax, brough and Danny maguire? Chase has been terrible this year and no way should have been picked.

How can he pick sinfield in the halves before the likes of lomax, brough and maguire? He will never make a out and out halfback as long as he lives.

Where was hill from the wolves? He's been outstanding this year and deserves a shot before any if the props last night.

Over Mossop? Are you serious?

Who mentioned over mossop? Do you only play with one prop? Do you know that most teams have 4 props in their 17?

On this years form Mossop shouldnt be anywhere near the England setup

Ablett to be fair had a fairly decent game. He offered more than the much touted Ryan Atkins who looked pretty ordinary all night.

I suspect in the second match we will see one or two changes to the first match lineup.

For me these matches are in effect trials were Mcnamara trys a few new combos out to see how they workout.

Ultimately we know the full test team will be different as there will be 2 x Burgess, Graham, Ellis,and Reid all probably in the final squad.

Just find it strange he picked a backrow centre

I think Mcnamara is looking for that all important squad utility player who can cover both second row and centre if called upon.

I dont think he is in line as a starting player but instead one to bring along as part of a 25 man squad in case injuries hit.

When your picking a 25 man tour squad you have to select a few utility players as there just arent the spaces in the squad to have specialist cover for every position.

He went on record before the game and said this is the team he wanted apart from the players in the NRL.

He's got a centre thats on fire in Goulding and also has great understanding with the England and Wigan winger josh charnley.

He didn't treat it as a trial or he'd have give uncapped England halves brough and lomax a go instead of the already tried and failed pairing of sinfield and rangi chase.

I think England selection does have something of a lag effect. Players not playing well do tend to get picked more on previous form than current. The situation with so many Leeds players making the side, is an example of this and Sinfield playing at halfback.

But what are we going to do, this belief in 'class' over form is something that is hard to shift.

I thought the selection process for Saturdays game was a joke to be honest. How on earth Darrell Goulding wasnt playing Right Centre is just completley stupid as he is the form Centre in Super League. Danny Brough and Jonny Lomax should have been in the halves ahead of Kevin Sinfield and Rangi Chase (who has had an awful season) Jamie Peacock has sadly declined to the point now where I dont even think he warrants a place in the Leeds side nevermind being Captain of his country. He was woeful on Saturday.

i made the mistake of watching the Origin game first, then watched ours crikey talk about being in slow mode, even the wife,son & i was bored with it.Origin was all hell let loose it was even raining there as well so whats the answer, warmer rainicon_smile.gificon_smile.gif.The Aussie game was fast & furious.There was one thing that surprised me was when of the players got sinned binned he went to the dressing rooms,since when.Our game is not poncing about as Ron Hoofe would say but that lot well.