Great option to play over there. We aren't playing the World Cup over here so no point in preparing for it here. Good decision for once! For me the NRL based players play well the established ones anyway. Sarginson and Turner would get nowhere near for me. I honestly believe we can beat the Aussies this year, but ONLY if we use aggression and maybe not necessarily in the right way (I know but honestly I feel this is the best chance against the Aussies as we can't out play or out possess them). And that includes Bateman (and possibly McIllorum) along with Burgess absolutely winding their pack up (Bateman is good at that as well as being a class player) and show some aggression and hatred towards the like QLD and NSW do in Origin.

I do have an issue at hooker. I want McIllorum in for the Aussie game based on my tactics but Hodgson would start otherwise (as mentioned before World Class!) and Clark needs to come on and run. But with Castleford being outstanding this season we have such a struggle with the team selection. Do we go Bateman, Whitehead, Burgess? McMeekan, Bateman, O'Loughlin? Any combination of those could be our back three in the pack. Plus with Minikin and Eden coming to the for and Hardaker round the back is there space for Hall? I think J.Burgess is nailed on for a wing spot like. Team for me vs. Samoa:

Hardaker
J.Burgess
Watkins
Shenton/Percival
Minikin
Widdop
Gale
Graham
Hodgson
G.Burgess
Bateman
McMeeken
S.Burgess

Clark
Hill
T.Burgess
O'Loughlin

Thats the attitude I take. International game should take preference, the longer it doesnt the longer we stay behind union and the less appealing the game is for players to stay. The English RU lads get 22k per test! Ridiculous money and we should be aspiring to that level at international level

but we could also lose sika manu and mahe (depending on his nationality!), so that would be grounds for postponement of our game if our 3 english lads go too, meaning another midweek game which is what we dont want

Saturday, 6 May is the test and we play Widnes away on the Sunday. In current form I'd like to think this wouldn't be a problem...however we all know things can change.
The week after is CC weekend where anything can happen. The thought of our best players being jet lagged when we start our retention campaign doesn't fill me with joy if I'm honest.

Watkins plays right centre

I'd give up Watkins as a bad job at international level. Surely he would have shown us something by now if it was going to click for him. An out of position Hardaker or Currie would likely offer more, or Percival. I like Gildart but not sure he would be getting talked about for international honours if he played for anyone else.