They only have to win by ten. I think they're good enough to do it. O'Loughlin's fit, the halves have had more time together and they know what they did wrong, which wasn't much, against Aus.

Nah we did the right thing. Just went the wrong way about it. They should have given it to Widdop. Stood everyone on the left touch line, and made it a lottery. A draw wouldn't have seen us progress (as it happens a win wouldn't have either but hey ho), so you've got to go for it. We will never make progress if we are content with moral victories.

J Tomkins was much improved in the NZ game tbf. But was anonymous in the other two.

Even before his move to union I wasn't convinced he was international standard, so he's got work to do to prove he deserves to be there imo.

Cannot really fault Ferres in this game. Started on the bench then played out of position but still managed 42 tackles which is some effort in defence.

Unfortunately Whitehead didn't get enough game time. Would have liked to see what he could do at this level but the limited time he got, when McNamara clearly favoured Tomkins, didn't allow him to show anything. Disappointing that you can just waltz back into the international side after just 4 months back in the game and he didn't show enough in game 1, for me, to be a pick for 2 and 3.

I like Whitehead and had looked forward to seeing him play, but it was clear within a few minutes he was out of his depth. He was totally dominated at every turn and didn't look confident at all - and as we should all know, RL is a confidence game. It was the correct decision to take him off.

I don't blame him for that, he's not played for a long time and this was his debut. Chuck him on at full match fitness and when he knows he's as good as, if not better than, the opposition and I think he'll go well. I just hope he learns from the experience and comes back stronger, he's a belting player.

That said, I also questioned the inclusion of Joel when there are a few good back rowers to choose from. I suspect it came down to experience of the big games and against Antipodean opposition. Joel did well enough but didn't really show a great deal going forward but then would any of the others against those defences?