The difference between the first and second half was decision making and execution from chase, and the tiring fiji team. Mcilorum is not a world class player in attack, but i am sure he had a good hand in tiring out the Fiji team in the irst half. Chase just doesnt seem to understand structure at all. He will do miss out passeswhen the numbers are fine so just slows down play, he double pumps on dummy runs so just slows down play. He was clueless in the first half. It worked once, but just hamstrung our attack for the whole first half. Ryan hall scored down the line in spite of rangi chase not because of his pass. Burrow came on and did well supporting play, but the key was the halves playing to an attacking structure that made space. Rob burrow was the hooker in the pitch when the halves decided to actually play to a structure, and while fiji were knackered. But burrow doesnt offer anything different from roby, and is just less reliable in defence. Mcilorum offers bruising defense and a competent attack with competent halfback play around him.

Oloughlin is good, and significantly better than any alternative. Farrell vs ablett is much of a muchness, as is charnley vs briscoe.

So next match starting team from today, roby on the bench for burrow, but same bench otherwise (farrell vs ablett...?) mcilorum to go off after 20, then roby to do the rest of the match.

Il be honest I dont get the comparisons of Vharnley and Briscoe. One had an average to poor game against best side in the world. The other had an ok game against Ireland and an average to poor game against Fiji.

At club level Charnley has walked all over Briscoe, at international you cant compare the games imo.

As for MM always knew ppl wouldnt like it. Truth is his work goes largely unnoticed. Hard tackling, cover and good distribution dont grab the eye like scooting does.

End of the day, its the wrong mix on the field, and the wrong utilisation of some players. My head hopes as few Wigan players are involved as possible as they can get a good pre season for next year.

They could play the best in the world and still get no thanks off some fans.

O'L is world class but was very average today. I'd have him in the 17 every time (providing he is fully fit).
Charnley was the best winger in SL last season but has deservedly lost his place to Briscoe.
Farrell & Mcilorum are a million miles off international class.

charnley hardly had a bad game against the aussies either. people are making out like he missed every tackle to no runs and didn't score a try which come from him putting pressure on anyway.

Everyone was poor apart from burrow, sinfield, briscoe and watkins.

Marhcing on togther......

Loving the irony. Watkins pah!!

What saddens me week after week and game after game on this board are the club coaches who come on here and slag off other clubs players, pick fault on everything and ANYTHING.

YOU ARE ALL A LOT OF IDIOTS. why not for once get behind the bloody team. Played three, won 2. In to the QF. WHAT MORE DO YOU Fucking want? Jesus get a life.


Come on ENGLAND!

I think the side is selecting itself.

I'm glad others can see that the Sinfield to 9 tactic is a waste of time and player talent. Either Widdop plays or he doesn't, but you have to stick to your guns and not take the cowards choice of putting him on the bench.

Putting him on the bench weakens the team by shifting Sinfield to 9 a place he really does not play particularly well at this level.

As for Charnley v Briscoe. I would have started with Charnley after this season, but he lost his place fair and square. Sure he got a try in the Australia match, but it was off a mistake and a stoke of luck with the bounce. Any winger worth his salt with that mistake and bounce would have scored.

Briscoe has shown a lot more endevour and enthusiasm for me.
I would not say O'Loughlin is a poor choice but he will not shine like he will in a Wigan side. The difference is that some of the best pack players in the world are in this England set up, so in comparison he does not seem as fantastic as he does against teams in SL. (but I did think he ran some decent lines and did not seem to let us down in defense either)

I was a little concerned at halftime. But it was nice to see once we got our tails up we executed better.

Cudjoe did not have his best game, but he has shown against the Aussies that he has the game for this level.

Having seen most of the team. My best pick would be...

Tomkins, Briscoe, Cudjoe, Watkins, Hall, Chase, Sinfield
G.Burgess, Roby, Hill, Westwood, Ferres, O'Loughlin

Bench

Burrows, Graham, S. Burgess, (then probably Mossop)

Lots of one eyed fans just supporting their own team players and slating anyone not involved with their own club.
Thought the team played well. Nice to see sinfield had another good game, but I think he has come in for a lot of undue critisism. Thought most of the pack played well, and fair play to ferries wasn't a fan of his inclusion in the squad but is having a good tourniment.
Today I thought both centres were pretty poor, particulary Watkins.
On the comment regarding the Wigan players didn't think Mclorum had a bad game at all, decent distribution and some good defence.
SOL had a quiet game but would still have him In the starting team.
Charnley vs Briscoe is very much of a muchness. At the start of the tourniment would have had charnley ahead of briscoe. Prefer briscoe in defence but charnley in attack.
On Farrell Vs Ablett again much of a muchness, both good club men, i personally would have ablett on the bench over Farrell just as I think ablett covers centre better and Watkins leg seems to get more strapping every game, the same leg injured against Wigan in the play offs and may need cover there.

1 more warm up game before the world cup begins for England

I think I have been "loving" moderated!