One way to remember is that the colour of your front lawn is not 'Taylor'

Why contrived? If people are happy to represent the country they choose what’s the problem, the boring code of our game seem to have no problem with it or with teams being way out of their depth. In fact they have made a big occasion out of their international set up which I am sure will attract yet more people into their game. All our fans seem to do is hunt out every negative they can find. The Aussies can’t even be bothered to play a touring side this year ( only a game against NZ as they were contracted to) I really do despair for the game I have followed for 60 years. I hope you have a good trip I was hoping to go but things have cropped up, at least it’s on TV.

I think a lot of RL fans show some very strange attitudes.

We're a diverse nation. Look at other National teams in other sports over the years...

Terry Butcher (Born in Singapore) John Barnes(Jamaica)Owen Hargreaves(Canada)Tony Dorigo(Australia)
Ben Stokes(New Zealand) Eoin Morgan(Ireland) Jofra Archer(Barbados)Kevin Pieterson(South Africa)
Zola Budd(South Africa) Mo Farah(Somalia)
Bradley Wiggins(Belgium) Louisa Pouli(Greece) Chris Froome(Kenya) Luol Deng(Sudan) Greg Rusedski(Canada)Mike Catt(South Africa)
Justin Rose(South Africa)

Plus many many more.

I think we as a nation need to get over it, and just welcome the fact that if someone commits themselves to the cause, we should welcome them and support them. The RL players that are foreign born who have been picked, have been picked because the rules say they are eligible. Until that rule changes, and I don't think it will, you should either get behind them or if you don't agree, don't. No point whining about something that is perfectly allowed to happen.

All those you mentioned above represented England/GB for many years and some from a young age. This just feels like they've been here for a year so lets see if their eligible, would they of been picked if they were still in the NRL and had never come over here to play? We will never know. Also if they go on to represent England/GB for many years to come then fair enough.

On my way there this weekend. Weird squad which does not look balanced. The wingers not even in top form this season.
Very unsure about Flake Austin but Jackson Hastings will continue to be a revelation both on and off the field.

I don't like the rule but if the rest of the game does it you can't blame us for doing the same.

Australia and New Zealand have been doing this for years.

Personally I think you should have to hold a national passport to qualify, but until it is across the board then we have to use the same rules as everyone else and not shoot ourselves in the foot.

That doesn’t make it right, does it!



Get a grip, people on this forum talk relatively, no one’s saying what your suggesting!

Exactly.
The Japanese 30 man squad for the current collapsathon cup contains 12 "foreign" born players, from the Islands, NZ, Australia and South Africa, but do you hear Rugga fans bemoaning this use of foreign talent? Of course not, they applaud the team for topping their group and the Japanese fans have taken these foreign players as their own. Given Britain ruled half the planet, it's hardly surprising that their are heritage "foreign" players willing to put their hands up and if their good enough, then why not pick the best available.

Smashing, wonderful for Japan it is just a Basterdisation they and that silly game employ, its not for me Axe, if you wish to accept it fair enough, personally I think we have enough player's to pick from without employing people who have no emotional connection with our country, for me you need passion and pride in abundance, to these guy's I don't believe it is anymore that a job of work, it is just another jersey they will put on, if you suggest that they will have that same emotional connection with putting that kit on than a true Brit would have then I don't believe it.

Dead right. Also, Tongan and Fijian teams etc are weakened by Australia and New Zealand nicking their best players, perhaps if they didn't, we wouldn't one-sided world cup matches.

I don't think Liam Watts could have done much more to get in, if he can't get in on his performances this season, then why would he ever get in?

No O'Loughlin or Big Sam for loose forward. So I'm reckoning he's gonna play Thompson there, with Tom Burgess and Graham as the starting props and Hill, Walmsley or Philbin from the bench. Suprised Knowles didn't get a look in.

Whitehead and Bateman pick themselves in the second row, Jones or Hughes may get a bench spot, with maybe Bateman moving in to loose.

Hodgson starts with Clark likely to be coming of the bench.

Jerry and Hally look set for wing spots, I assume Gildart would be covering on the wing if needed.

Connor, Gildart and I expect Hardaker was taken as a three quarter, for centre spots.

1, 6, 7? God knows, seven players battling for three places. My best 3 would be Lomax, Widdop and Hastings. Which leaves out Coote, Austin, Williams and Trueman.

Of course Bennett may change the team around for different games.

Team I expect Bennett will pick

Coote
McGillvary
Hardaker
Connor or Gildart
Hall
Widdop
Hastings
T Burgess
Hodgson
Graham
Whitehead
Bateman
Thompson

Walmsley
Hill
Lomax
Clark or Jones/Hughes

As I correctly predicted in another thread, Bennett didn’t pick Watts because his defense isn’t good enough and Bennett loves a good defender.

Would have Gildart at centre over Connor personally

I did in deed mix the two up

Defo taylor

Although I am pleased we’ve signed green

Watts senior will be writing into the league express again, he will be furious...

Not too sure what he has to do to get picked tbh, okay his discipline isn't great but neither is Hills or Grahams for that matter and it does not stop them getting picked. I would go as far to say he was the best prop in SL this year, I just wonder how much of these players Bennett actually watches?

That’s my point it does make it right

It’s the norm and totally legal and there for it is right

Why shouldn’t they play? Because a few hacks on social media are not ok with it



Ok, I’ve got a grip
Read the OP, it’s bordering on hysterical