Just as an aside-
Burrow, Burgess, Lomax, Bridge are all injured, and otherwise would have made the squad imo.
Shenton is injured as well, and also might have had a shot.

(Mc)Brough is out of form.

Got to agree on a couple of points though, don't think Michael McIlorum and Cudjoe are up to it.
Not sure I'd have both Morley and Peacock in the squad, maybe drop one of them depending on what other players were injury free. Tough one that, can see both sides of the argument.

I haven't seen anything of Widdop this year, so don't know how he's done, but when he played for England last time he didn't look that good. Most people seem to say he's had a good season so I'll bow to their knowledge.

Finally I agree don't think Chase and Heighington should be playing for England, even though Chase has been Superleague's best Stand off, and Heighington will add a lot to the squad.

With injuries, retirements and general unavailability across all the teams it should be the closest series in decades.
I hope refereeing does not come into it or "rub of the green"
May the best team win and if that team is England I have no problem with it and it would be the best thing to happen to the game in years.
But I want the team that wins to "WIN" it not the team that they play to lose it.

Don't remember Sailor and Falou playing in the same Aussie team.

In 1997 the 3/4 was Nags, ET, Girdler, Sailor. The 2000 WC final Aussie 3/4 line was Matt Rogers, McDougal, Matt Gidley and Del Sailor. I'd say with Inglis this Aussie backline is stronger. In 2003 the Aussie 3/4 line was Rooney (shame he left RL he would have become a legend) Lewis Berrigan(?) Minichello, again this Aussie back line is better. In 2006 it was Tate, Gasnier, Lyon, Inglis I think both are pretty even. This Aussie bacline my lack some of the household names from previous years but its just as dangerous and man for man quite a few levels above Englands.

Hodges (for Tonga) is the only player I'd take over this years Aussie backline. You could make a case for Hayne over Boyd, but Boyd has been one of the best players in the NRL in the last couple of years, Hayne has been 5hit this season.

The one that stands out for me is the 2006 backline – probably the best of recent times

With its production line of talent, we will never see a weak Aussie backline. Maybe I’m just getting nostalgic as I get on a bit but this year’s team (bar Inglis) doesn’t have the same awe to it as when we saw names like Miles, Menninga and Kenny in the centres or the likes of Grothe on the wing

Ablett is a cracking player and massively under rated by a lot. He has good hands good footwork and runs some good lines, he also has some pace for a back row forward and offers versatility as can cover SR, LF and centre, he is also in form. The others you mention could be debated, but for me ablett for me should be in the squad