Over all the years (for me since the early 80s) watching us (mostly) lose to Australia, I've rarely seen us field a pair of centres that look genuinely competitive with theirs. To me, its been our worst position by comparison. We've had good defenders from time-to-time ( e.g. Connelly ) who perhaps didn't have a world-class attacking game, and others who brought various things to the party, but never for me, the complete package.

For all the confidence we have in our forwards, and in a few of the backs, give me some hope as to why we won't get done in the centres this time. Who do you think are going to do the business for us?

Australia have better Centres and more importantly far better Halves.

Australian centresGreg Inglis, Josh Morris, Justin Hodges, Michael Jennings[/i


No English centre in their class.

watching Jennings play yesterday, he should not be on that list.
Yeah he's quick and elusive but looked absolutely clueless once he made the break.

josh morris is ordinary
justin hodges has never done anything at international level,puches people at origin level and runs around the NRL like a show pony...
michael jenning has'nt done anything at any level either

greg inglis is ok though

I never can work out if Josh Morris is actually amazing, or is just made to look amazing in that Canterbury team?

Watkins, Evans, Percival, Thornley, and Cudjoe all look as if they could well match their Aussies counter parts in the future. All have great speed and feet, and they seem to have all the skills a centre needs. Hopefully they can develop physically, and stay injury free. Although unfortunatly as long as Inglis is around our centres will always have their hands full no matter how good they are.

I don't think we've had great pair of centres since Connolly and Newlove.

For the first time in a while we've some decent talent coming through though.

I'd be more concerned the quality of our half backs compared to the Aussies.

Gleeson and Senior were better than those two were for England/GB.

Agree 100%

This is not a facetious comment, but what is the quality of the Aussie reserve half backs and three quarters, we know how strong they are at full back, but if Inglis and one of Cronk and Thurston get injured or lose form what calibre of player replaces them? Carney, Pearce at Half Back? Dane Nielsen? Campese?

Anyone worried by these?

By the way i'm a huge fan of Pearce.

Adam Reynolds gave Pearce a Masterclass on how to play last night. if he is not top shelf I do not know what is.

Until we actually pick the best player in form at halfback we will never bloody know will we

God knows what Brough has done to McBananas in the past but it must be bad.

As for centres, take Inglis out and we can match them no problem.

How does Jack Reed go in the NRL? He had a very good four nations in 2011 but its tough to judge if he should be in ahead of guys like Atkins or Cudjoe without seeing him on a regular basis.

At the moment Watkins would be my first choice and then after that the three mentioned above would be fighting for the other spot.

We're in a better position then we've been in for a while in regards to centres.

Couldn't agree more.