That is a very negative and in fact nasty denigration of one of the greatest rugby league teams in the world today.

The NZ Warriors were missing Shaun "Magic" Johnson, who is one of the top three scrum halves in the NRL, and for the last 10 minutes were playing with only 12 men. That was an impressive performance.

In the finals I hope that we see Shaun Johnson, Konrad Hurrell and Samuel Levi Tomkins fit and playing together. They constitute a powerful attacking combination that few rival teams will be able to contain.

They've just signed Josh Hodgeson, according to Facebook.

And Iosia Soliola

With a lot of English players out in OZ have we got a full team out their yet from 1 to 13 and 4 subs

I think Mike Cooper has got better as the season has gone on and did pretty well vs the Roosters.

As for Tomkins, I think Gasnier got it spot on - he has weaknesses in his game that were never fully exposed at Wigan but is getting better and next season should be a big one for him. Really hope the NZW make the 8 this year as they are capable of making progress in the finals.

Also been quite impressed with Widdop now he is out of his Storm comfort zone

Watch the NRL make a success out of the exiles concept

I don't think Gasnier got it right at all, it was a typical Ausie comment assuming that the NRL is the only league that creates good players.

Tomkins is getting more accustomed to the style of play in the NRL and as such is using his talents to play better. Whether or not he's becoming a better player than he was in the SL is debatable, the two competitions have different styles of play.

Tomkins is fourth for tackle busts this year. He's shone in some games, seemed unwilling to really get stuck in during others I think. I reckon he will be really good next year too.

Cooper has established himself in a Dragons side that is improving and Widdop is really well regarded. I would expect him to be England's #6 this year.

There is not yet a full English team. There only 9 players. Not enough backs.

As of 2015 it should be the following:


FB: Sam Tomkins

CE: Jack Reed

FE: Gareth Widdop

LF:
SR:
PR: James Graham, Mike Cooper, George Burgess, Tom Burgess, Luke Burgess
HK: Josh Hodgson

...and Lee Mossop I presume

And Lee Mossop indeed. I forgot about him because he hasn't been playing. Has he been injured?

He was injured until about round 13 or something, played a handful of games and then got injured again - he's out for the rest of the season.