As I said, Tomkins should have been dropped and Westerman in to bulk up the forwards but Bellend couldn't even recognise that both Tomkins & Ferres have been dogshat.
If he doesn't resign or get binned then England can just forget internationals until he is gone.
Smith's kicking was woeful and whilst Hall scored two he effectively gave two away with poor defending...Watkins improved some.
Graham has got to be the world's best prop with ball in hand, take a bow son.

Can't believe people on here are bagging this player and that, its another great game which could have gone either way again.We really should have posted more points in that spell in the first half but if those kicks go over that hit the post, or Hall scores early in second period before they go down field to score or we show a little bit more composure at the end we are sat here now toasting a great performance.

We are not far away and i am encouraged by our performances despite the end result.

We were unlucky with those kicks. But we weren't unlucky with our kicks in general play, we were just e.

I like this England team... It's painful to watch us not have that edge in games.

Few disappointments today...

Ferres as hooker for a stint?!

Charnley's big smile after Watkins was put into touch in the final minutes. (In comparison to say how upset Graham got at the end). It's a serious game and I didn't think it was something to smile about!

Our kicking in general.

We need more practice games I believe. WITH our NRL based players.

The Kiwis sussed our best play and reacted to it, bringing in a defender 3 out from the wing , cutting off our centres and wings, then started off loading which killed us

90% of the time, the team that offloads the most wins

We need a breakthrough win to kick on. I'm not going to bag any individuals. As a team I thought we give it a real go and on another day would get over the line.

Going forward I think there's a couple of changes that can help the side grow. I'm looking forward massively to next years test series against the Kiwis.

I'm not Banana's biggest fan but I can't see him resigning nor the RFL ditching him, given how close we have got. Big errors for me were exactly as predicted; p/ss poor second rows & a clueless scrum half. It showed in every game & he did nothing to change it which is inexcusable.

I'd be looking to arrange games in the Southern Hemisphere against pacific island teams to coincide with City/Country & Anzac Day test. Could maybe play 1 on the Friday and another on the Monday.

The problem is the SL clubs would need to buy into it and let their players go.

Despite the results. We lost to the alleged super powers of RL by a couple of points, a dodgy video ref, a lost ball and the uprights.

I don;t get to see SL these days but was very happy with seeing some individual players' performances and as I have no bias against any team I don't tar any player with being from (insert team here). I'm happy with seeing the way England played against Oz and NZ and hopefully people back home will realise the myth about them being so so so much better.

As I have said for years, as was said to me by several players who have played in both comps. Any of our players would get a gig at an NRL side.

I had a real rant about Watkins doing the same thing earlier in the season. I would have snotted one of my team mates if he had done it in similar circumstances. But I have come to accept it's part of Charnely's attraction & doesn't affect his attitude or application.

I have no problem with McNamara as coach if he can wise up about his team selection.
He has us playing some very good rugby which is entertaining to watch.
A used to be in the crowd who wanted him out, but I've seen enough this tournament to think we are very close to winning an international competition, even with McNamara in charge.

Me too.We don't need to get too down on this tour and have to build on the pluses which there was many.

The thought of Roby and Clark doubling up is mouth watering, our front row is well set and Sarginson has made a seamless step up to the international stage.

Our back row is of course the worry and hopefully we get a few players that can step up and improve that area but we are moving in the right direction for sure.

I also think it is time to say thank you very much to McNamara and bring in a new coaching set up for next year.

I'd go with this. There are a hell of a lot of positives to take from this despite the defeat. Just think what Roby and S Burgess would've added to that team with maybe the addition of a strike 2nd rower and another world class back. This is a young team with bags of potential and with the right coaching and a few minor tweaks to the squad we'll have a team that can challenge in the next WC for sure. A couple of better choices and a tiny bit more luck and we'd be lining up in that final next week. SMALL MARGINS!

Btw, that Johnson lad looks pretty handy!icon_smile.gif

We should be winning because of the coach though, not despite him.

Can't fault the players today but whether the right ones were on the pitch is another matter.