Tomkins
Charnley
Watkins
Ratchford
Hall
Sinfield
Myler
Graham
McIllorum
Sam Burgess
Westwood
Farrell
O'Loughlin

G Burgess
Houghton
Kirmond
Hill

Jack Reed and Gareth Widdop are both injured and even if they recover in time for the world cup, they'll have little chance to prove any run of good form.

I do hope Sam Burgess gets the 13 jersey as I think he is more effective at loose forward than prop. Chris Hill and James Graham are my choice starting props, and George Burgess deserves a bench place but as for the other bench prop I am unsure. Mossop's recent form doesn't warrant a place and someone described Crabtree as having "Mr Universe physique, Mr Bean ability."

As for the opposition, this is how I think the Kangaroos will shape up:

1. Billy Slater
2. Darius Boyd
3. Greg Inglis
4. Justin Hodges
5. Brett Morris / Jarryd Hayne
6. Jonathon Thurston
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Paul Gallen
9. Cameron Smith
10. Matt Scott
11. Nate Myles
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Greg Bird

14. Daly Cherry-Evans
15. David Shillington
16. James Tamou
17. Anthony Watmough / Luke Lewis

It's interesting looking at some of the comments regarding Zaks defense, when he saves more try's than he scores. I think his defense is outstanding. Didn't realize the exiles game was that important on judging. Zak Is second only to Tomkins and on a par with watkins regarding genuine ability in the comp. That's just my opinion.

He's outstanding. Again just my opinion. Don't you have fox tel? Leeds have been on TV most weeks.

Zaks defence is definitely better than Charnleys, he is a terrible defender and looks absolutely clueless, a young kid exposed him twice in the opening quarter last night.

I wouldn't swap lomax for hardaker .

I'd say the same, but with Lomax. He's been a revelation for Saints when he's played there, although injuries have hampered him. Hopefully he'll get a good run to the end of the season. He's arguably the safest bet of all three with kicks.

Going back to the original post, I'd use Sam as a 13 and play a three prop strategy that is so popular in SL at the moment.

Using limited footage and reports from down under I'd take Graham, G Burgess, Hill and Crabtree, then play Sam loose forward. I'd take Westwood and O'Loughlin as my second rows and whilst I'm tempted by Hock, I don't think we can really justify it at the moment, probably taking Ellis, who looked good on Friday, or even Mossop. Perhaps that last spot should be taken by a more form selection like Kirmond or Ferres, or even Farrell, who was excellent at the beginning of the season.

For the last bench spot, I'd be tempted to take a second hooker. Being a Saints fan, I'd always go with Roby, although he's injured again. My second choice for a start would be Houghton, although I think some would favour Lunt (i've seen more of Houghton this season, though). My bench hooker would be clarke, either way.

If I had to pick a squad right now, it would be this.

Backs

Tomkins
Hardaker
Charnley
Hall
Lineham
Watkins
Cudjoe
Chase
Sinfield
Lomax
Widdop

Forwards

Hill
Graham
Burgess S
Burgess G
Mossop
Roby
Houghton
Westwood
Ellis
Kirmond
Farrell
O'Loughlin
Crabtree

I think Ratchford will be close to a call into the squad. I don't believe he should start, nor feature on the bench, but he is a good squad player who can feature at 1,3,4,6,7 and 9. If Sam T wasn't fit, I'd sooner see him go to fullback than Hardaker personally. I think he would be the closest fit to continue to play in the same style.

I think Ratchford will be close to a call into the squad. I don't believe he should start, nor feature on the bench, but he is a good squad player who can feature at 1,3,4,6,7 and 9. If Sam T wasn't fit, I'd sooner see him go to fullback than Hardaker personally. I think he would be the closest fit to continue to play in the same style.

I often realise that I've negelected ratchford when thinking about these squads. Given how good he is, I guess that means we haven't got quite the derth of talent we sometimes claim.