Quote: BrisbaneRhino "Here's my twopenneth - FWIW.
I thought 1-5 were far, far better than we've seen in a long time. Whilst not the attacking threats of their counterparts (partly due to lesser quality ball), it was good to see an English back division that could at least physically hold their own. Well played Cudjoe and Watkins in particular. Just on this, could Australia please keep picking Brent Tate ahead of Jennings?
Forwards were generally good, but far too many unforced errors and poor penalties as a group. Graham (especially with his ability to play long minutes) and O'Loughlin would make a big difference to the quality we'd have on the pitch for the full 80 minutes.
Of the starting pack, my biggest issue was Westwood, who was simply dreadful. He played with a SL mindset of seeming not to matter about infringements and errors - which is 100% wrong against Australia. No amount of yardage going forward could make up for the massive penalties and errors he made. The only counter to that is that perhaps he would have made fewer errors if he was spelled on the bench? He looked knackered at times.
Put it this way, had he been playing in an NRL game he'd have been hooked before half time and not seen again, and if I were McNamara I'd rop him.
Sam Burgess was quiet in attack, but I think in part it was because he was frantically trying to provide cover in defence on the right as well as up the middle. That's also why I'd keep him out wide rather than at prop. Hopefully he won't get a big suspension.
Roby was really impressive at times. If only he could play 80 minutes we'd be a lot stronger. As it is we have to spell him, which means - IMO - another hooker on the bench. No club side spells their hooker leading to a halfback having to move (except possibly Leeds), and England shouldn't either. That means McIlorum or Burrow on the bench.
As for halfbacks, I think people have been far too hard on both Sinfield and Chase.
Firstly Chase. His defence was superb - he was regularly knocking down bigger players and he can read the play well enough to interrupt quality attacking moves. He didn't do a great deal with the ball, but didn't make many dumb mistakes, which I've seen the likes of Long do in the past.
Sinfield was never, ever going to set up a lot of tries. But his presence ensured that England kept their structure, which at that level is absolutely vital if you're to have a cat in hell's chance. My main problem with him moving to hooker was that it removed him from that pivotal role.
I don't have a huge issue with Widdopp either, and if he were to replace Chase wouldn't be too fussed, but IMO if you pull Sinfield out of that team England would almost literally fall apart.
In the end though, absolutely the best chance England have is to stick with a halfback pairing, and let them get as comfortable as possible playing alongside each other. In that respect I think McNamara deserves huge kudos, not necessarily for his choices, but for having the guts to stick with them.
The overall issues England have (and have for years) simply relate to not playing against that standard of player often enough. There were many occasions where individual players simply couldn't read the play at all. A classic example was Bird's try, where Ferres (I think) was bypassed like a statue in defence, because he clearly had no idea what was going on and who to take in defence. The only (partial) solution is to get off the line fast as a team, and in doing so at least force the opposition to make an early choice.
The pitch was poor, which IMO helped England more than Australia, except probably for Tomkins, who again looked a class act. And Australia were exceptionally rusty looking. IMO they have at least as much improvemnt in them as England.
I still doubt England can beat Australia when it counts, but IF they cut out the errors and have a stronger forward rotation they can at least give them a tough game. Which is a LOT better than can be said of previous years.'"
Regarding the Bird try I think the previous tackle does all the damage. Mossop, Sam and George are all involved in the tackle on Tamou but were unable to put him down, Sam was particularly poor as he had the legs at 3rd man and couldn't get him to the floor. From the resulting quick PTB England are all out of shape and crowded around the ruck, the defender (who i thought was Sinfield not Ferres) has runners on both his shoulders and wouldn't have been able to stop either IMO. May appear a small thing to pick up on but absolutely crucial in games like this, they punish everything.
Really good post though.
