After watching the first half display, it's about time the RFL layed down some rules on NON-EUROPEAN players. We will never compete with the Aussie 3/4 line if we just keep buying imports

first half was terrible, some positives were crabtree he was awsome, Eastmond did well in defence, Burgess atacked the line, lets not have a downer 12 months ago we were beaten 52-4 with a more experienced side

His defence has been good....his attacking non-existent.
Competent.....but ordinary on the big stage.

lee smith needs to bugger off to union and maguire needs to be dropped for the pair played dire in the first half out ov position mistakes which happened several times that left both briscoes in no mans land,eastmond needs to play the full 80 as he's got bags of talent.

As did Burgess!

A very good and accurate assessment.

I also thought we (England) were better when Sinfield moved into the dummy half (hooker) role.

Roby, again failed to deliver his passes accurately (don't get me started about scooter hookers)

Great displays from Crabtree, Graham and Tomkins.

Errrr like defend!

No bias there is there?

Ask the newspapers and BBC & Sporting life if roby was "terrible" (sic.). In fairness, he surprised me and played better than he has been doing for the Saints.

Regardless of your pathetic wigan centic opitions, ge is a shoe in for next week.

Another bit of blatant bias. You just can't help yourself. It's like some mental tic you have.

I'm not asking you to believe my opinion; just read the news comments.

Agreed; he looked solid if not spectacular.
No Oz tries came down his side which speaks volumes. In the absence of Senior he looks the best choice we have.

Spot on. Kevin Sinfield was fantastic yesterday - my MOTM for England.

(And no I'm not a Leeds fan)

Drop Lee Smith he was absolute gash in defence. Improved a bit on the wing but was still giving away penalties. Poor performance.

I'm not confident with Tom Briscoe and agree that he has taken the flack for Smith's awful defending. I still rate him better than Peter Fox so he would keep his place.

For me next week we should go with:

Shaun Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Martin Gleeson
Michael Shenton
Ryan Hall
Sam Tomkins
Kyle Eastmond
Adrian Morley
James Roby
James Graham
Gareth Ellis
Sam Burgess
Kevin Sinfield

---------------------------------
Jamie Peacock
Eorl Crabtree
Ben Westwood
Gareth Carvell

I still think Martin Gleeson is England's best option at centre. He is the best defensive centre we have and can still offer something in attack. It would add a bit more experience to our back line as well. Kyle Eastmond is anonymous at centre and our only other options Tony Clubb, Lee Smith and Chris Bridge aren't good enough. Gareth Ellis has been doing a superb job in the second row and I wouldn't change that.

James Graham needs to start again and not be used from the bench. He IS NOT an impact prop. He is a grafter and so should be used as such.

Jamie Peacock didn't have a good game in the second row. He shouldn't play there again and IMO should be used as impact from the bench.

James Roby didn't have a brilliant game but he is the best of the limited options we have. Scott Moore and Matt Diskin are way out of their depth and Kevin Sinfield is doing a sterling job at loose forward.

I think Sam Burgess needs to start. We had a sluggish start but when he came on he really lifted us and against a monster kiwi pack we need someone who can put a few big hits in.

I've gone for a monster bench in Carvell, Peacock, Crabtree and Westwood purely for a lot of impact. The kiwis for 80 minutes were constantly thumping the Aussies and it is going to take an almighty effort to match them/beat them in the forwards. So we need to take the strongest pack possible. Eorl Crabtree to be used in the second row with Westwood with Peacock and Carvell coming on as impact props.

I believe there is enough skill in the halfbacks Tomkins & Eastmond along with Kevin Sinfield to create enough problems for the kiwis with Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess good offloaders of the ball.

Cadders.

He was MY man of the match too.

An I'm Australian


Seriously....I thought he was terrible yesterday

I don't think Gleeson is finished at international level. At 29 he certainly isn't past it and still has a few more years left in him. We are starved of some experience in the backline (especially if we are to go with Eastmond and Tomkins) and so he would be a very useful asset in that aspect. He was in some decent form coming into the play offs and had his best game in Wigan colours against Hull KR in the play offs where I think he proved that, on his day, Gleeson is still one of if not the best English centre in Super League. But the main asset he has brought to Wigan that I think can bring to England is his defense. Tim Smith was the worst defender I have ever seen in Wigan colours, possibly one of the worst in Super League but when Gleeson arrived he really helped tighten that aspect of our game and with New Zealand having such a powerful backline we really need a top defender out wide and Gleeson would bring that. I can understand that people may argue he has had his chance and let's look to the future but with Lee Smith we are hardly looking to the future as he is heading off to Union. At the end of the day we need to put out the best squad possible. Martin Gleeson is better than Tony Clubb, Chris Bridge and Lee Smith IMO. I understand we must look to the World Cup where Gleeson most likely wont be included but the World Cup is not till 2013 where we might see some new talent emerge in the centre spot like we have seen with Michael Shenton. So with that in mind I would pick Gleeson.