our forwards match up to aus and nz far more than our half backs do

Pre-tournament I thought yes.
Pre-QF I thought no.
Post-QF I think NO.

Just stating facts. Did you watch the game yesterday?

Its too late now but I would have tried Briscoe at full back and Tomkins at stand off by dropping Chase. Briscoe is no worse than Tomkins defensively but he does have good kick returns albeit in a different style. Tomkins at stand off would attack the opposition much better than Chase and would be effective as a support player off the forwards.
The most important thing is that Tomkins will put in 80 mins worth instead of the unpredictable 15-20 mins from Chase.

Briscoe at full back would be a disaster. Can't remember who Hull played earlier this year with Briscoe at FB, but it wasn't pretty.

I would like Tomkins at 6 again though. I personally think this is his best position. I have been particularly impressed if his kicking game.

But wouldn't out Briscoe at FB. Rather have Widdop.
So frustrating seeing him on the bench.

On the plus side, England did beat Fiji rather comfortably, and Fiji looked pretty good tonight. Meanwhile, NZ haven't had a really tough game in the tournament yet, and England will be the first tie they come up against a Big Three opponent.

On paper, and so far on telly, New Zealand still have the edge. But there'll be 70,000+ of us at Wembley, and most of us will be shouting for the boys in white. Plus, it might rain...

England aren't out of this yet. We just need the halfbacks and centres to gel properly.