Less strength and more speed, but that's the exact comparison I was making in my head last night for sure.

Great to see the talent we have continue to progress. With Locke leaving the Warriors it doesn't look like Tomkins will be making the transition back to the halves just yet, so we do have a welcome dilemma.

That particular issue depends on whether Tomkins can/should play anywhere but fullback. If that's where he wants to play/McNamara sees him there and not in the halves, then he should be picked ahead of Hardaker. IMO if they both play to their best I'd be tempted to play both with Tomkins in the halves.

Australia have three club fullbacks in their 1-5 for the same reason - to get their best players on the pitch (it would be four if Hayne was selected on the wing).

Australia fielded the Four Club Fullbacks in the 2013 WC Final


Slater at Fullback
Inglis at Centre
Hayne at Centre
Boyd on the Wing

I believe that both Hardaker and Tomkins have to be in the England team.

It could be achieved by having Hardaker at full back and Tomkins in the halves. Or it could be achieved by having Tomkins at full back and Hardaker in the centres. (In the latter case then you have the dilemma of choosing between Watkins and Reed).

Hardaker

I think that Tomkins should play stand-off.

Tomkins had another very good game for NZ Warriors tonight. He scored a try and was instrumental in setting up two others with magical "tip on" passes to his outside runners.

He was however overshadowed by Konrad Hurrell and Shaun Johnson, both of whom were sensational.