Once upon a time a game like this would have been called a trial match and a few would have been play in the lead up to a tour . Sadly now with a selection procedure that says play for one of the top six played international before your in what is the point .

Good post.


People are saying Bluey McClennan will be coaching them.

I'd sooner see Maguire or Brown get the nod. I'm sure it could be fitted in around their usual coaching tasks as it's only one game.

How much coaching is going to be needed really? I would imagine they could all act as selectors like they have for the Aussies in the NRL.

I can't see this team having more than one or two training sessions together before this match and so will look a fair bit rusty but then the England team won't have many more than them.

Also will this game be played under International rules or the English rules with it not being a full international game???

Probably a few sessions to be able to get tactics, set plays, etc. together.


The England players get together regularly for camps throughout the season. I should hope they are a lot more prepared than an Exiles team that haven't even been announced yet!


I would assume international rules, seeing as this is preparation for the international series, and England are an international team. I'm not sure how much difference there is between the English rules and International rules anyway.

I think the game is a good idea but understand South Sydney's position. They have no duty to release burgess for a game like this.

Widdop, Burgess and Ellis are getting the experience they need by playing against the world's best every week.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Widdop continues to develop, as he looks a good prospect at stand off. I'd lay odds that if he stays in the NRL he'll end up a much better all-round player than the likes of McGuire, Tomkins and co who stay in SL.