Lomax was always going to be in the squad - would look a bit daft of one of the RFL's ambassadors wasn't in it!

What I want to know is what messers Anderson, Betts, Sculthorpe and Wellens bring to the party. Betts' side finished bottom and Anderson got fired from Huddersfield. Wellens and Sculthorpe have no experience or coaching at a high level unless I've missed something. Bennett, by surrounding himself with these buffoons hasn't done himself any favours, imo.

Seems like those were RFL appointments to me.

The other 3 have spent large parts of the season resting up, whether that be sidelined or on the pitch, so I expect they're quite fresh.

Bennett is the wrong man for the job.Seems negative about our chances and puts down the players in the Superleague.This squad it seems has been picked by someone who has ignored a whole season ? Mcnamara was a poor choice and I was glad to see the back of him and on paper Bennett has all the experience in the world but every interview I see or media I read from him is negative and basically I get the impression he couldn't care less?
In my memory of international RL we have more than matched Aus in forwards but their centres and wingers always seemed as big as our 2nd rowers, yet fast as well and their half's make key plays at key moments. Fine margins .They are not unbeatable but certainly deserve respect .I feel Bennett doesn't believe we can win.He may be correct but picking players on 2 years ago form certainly doesn't help.Another few year wasted but if/when we flop at least he will go.

Singo is in the Ireland squad.

Yes, I mean what has Wayne Bennett ever achieved? The old we match them in the forwards argument is ridiculous. Only Sam Burgess and James Graham would get into the Austrailia squad. That doesn’t mean we have no chance of winning, Leicester city won the premiership after all, but if we do it will be an incredible achievement from Wayne Bennett, who has already won a World Cup with New Zealand.

Wahey! There it is. Phew, thought no one was going to match how our forwards are as good as the aussies. They aren't and never have been.

Regards

King James

Our packs of years gone by have certainly been much stronger than this current one - whether they were a match or better than Aus is debatable, but what's certain is the likes of Peacock, Morley, Ellis, Sculthorpe, Farrell, McDermott, Fielden, Newton, Cunningham would have walked into the current pack - even blokes like Joynt and Anderson would be certainties.
For all James Graham has been a fantastic player, he'd get nowhere near the Aus team on current form. Burgess would get in the squad, but I don't even think he'd be a guaranteed starter currently.

The pack is least of concerns. What is worrying is the comparisons of halves and centres, and probably fullback now as well.

Has always been the way. You can't beat the best without quality half backs.

England lag so far behind. Thurston can quit rep football but Australia but it doesn't kill Australia.

Bennett's public persona has always been as a permanently downbeat, negative person. From all accounts once away from the media he's very different, and a lot of what he does is instill belief in players.

Personally, I just don't think we have enough quality players, regardless of the coach.