Kenny dowell did get somewhat hammered last week, but watching the NRL over the last three seasons, Joey Lailua has a habit of giving his opposite number the brush off and is a very good centre/player in his own rite.

SKD has had a tremendous season for the Roosters and is a dangerous opponent for anyone, he proved that the week previous V Oz, didn't he.?
Being fair to Watkins, he wont have to face many better than Jennings, in his entire career, who is easily amongst the two top centre's playing in the NRL.

Yet I have to stress that he, Watkins, really does need to step up defensively at this level.

Referring back to Sam Tomkins, for my money he is nowhere close to being a very good F/Back let alone a great one. There are to many weaknesses in his game to so classed and I would prefer him up front where he is available to do more of the link-ups he got with Graham last week.
I accept that he can come through from the rear, but that does not happen that often from him.
I would prefer him, there and thereabouts permanently, in order to cash-in more on any of the half chances, to do what he is definitely good at, scoring tries.

He began as an halfback so it isn't a case of having to learn whats what there.

Have to go with Mugwump on his rating of Smith. He has let no one down, but then again he hasn't exactly stolen the show either and, if he could not do that last week V 'this' present Oz side he certainly will not fare any better up against the Kiwi pair or the rest of them.
A good club player in S/L, whether he is that sharp in this company, I am not so sure.

....and keep on proving it.

I've only been back two days and already I have a stalker.



I think it's the after-shave. But it could be my cultured charm.

The main areas we are out gunned are in the centres, the back row and LF
In both cases the Kiwis have more size, power, skill, a stronger defense, I could go on.........

I have faith in Ferres, I thought he was amazing in the semi finals against the kiwis in the 2013 WC and I don't think he'll let us down but Oloughlin, Farrel are never going to dazzle us, they will defend well but give us no strike in attack
I think J Tompkins is still an unknown being so fresh back from RU but has the potential to do it and I just wish he had a year of SL under his belt, it will be a different story for him next season

Watkins is gonna take an absolute pounding in defense, I do like Watkins but we are yet to see his main attribute his ability to take on the line, I wanna see him have ago

Where I do think we can beat them is in our front row and that will count for a hell of a lot, especially if we keep our props fresh and just keep pouding up the middle we can break the kiwis pack, the Burgess twins & Graham/Hill will see to that

To agree with Melmam SKD has being standout for the roosters, we've not seen him near his best yet and again he's right with the Joey Lailua fend, he could have done that to GI

I think its gonna be as close as it was at 1/4 finals I think they will just pip us

I quite fancy us this weekend. I think we'll win but not by the required margin.

Like Mugwump though I was concerned at how little the hosts and halves made of our pack last weekend, although it's certainly nice to see a kicking game in an England shirt.

Any reason why 'Chris' hasn't been changed to 'Christopher'?

The lack of consistency is a touch frustrating, especially as Josh has become Joshua, Sam has become Samuel amongst others. It also means I struggle to understand who you are referring to. Thanks in advance.

You are correct, and I regret your frustration. As you struggle to understand to whom I am referring, I will endeavour to remember that Christopher Hill is not the historian, but rather the rugby league player.

Thankyou for your help in this matter Jeanette Capdouze

Sean O'loughlin when fully fit is the best 13 in the world.

To say he won't dazzle in attack is nonsense (see sarginsons try at saints) he's key to Wigans attack and he was key early on last week, he takes the ball right to the line before he passes so he holds defenders up creating a bit more time for the halves. He wasn't fully fit last week, if he was he would have played 80 mins. People seem to have missed him picking corey parker up and sitting him down and the fact he ran all over the top of Greg Bird.

To say he's a good club player is utter nonsense. It's such nonsense i'm annoyed i've even dignified it with a response.

I wouldn't say he's the best 13 in the world, but he's up there.

Right now Jason Tamoulolo is the best 13 in the world. No contest. He smashed through the Australian defence. He has been fantastic all year for North Queensland Cowboys. The man has great strength, great speed and a good sidestep. The Sydney Roosters are after him as a replacement for SBW. That shows how highly he is regarded among the big spending cognoscenti.