For an NRL backrower Heighington is a very weak defender. Dont think he won the collision once.

I've just watched the game again on tape and I thought that every man from 1 to 17 was superb for England tonight. It was a very professional performance and has filled me with a lot of confidence and optimism for next week.

Does anyone else recall McNamara saying that Heighington has actually been considered for England duty for a couple of years, I'm pretty certain that if Burgess, O'Loughlin and Joel Tomkins were available then he wouldn't be in the side.

I didn't think he did badly on first viewing though, more impact than Wilkin.

I really don't rate Jon Wilkin but I thought he ran some good lines tonight and looked dangerous in attack.

i thought he was finished at international level?

So did I.

Perhaps playing him for less time is the answer now he's a pensioner? Less time, more impact? He didn't do much defending, so perhaps thats the way to use him.

bring him on when the sh*t hits the fan...... he still has a good few rotations in him when it counts.... he can still turn it on when it counts.

Unfortunately he is in reality. I would expect him to retire at this level after the 4 nations. He (probably obviously) did his best work tonight when the Kiwis were well beaten.

He certainly isn't the dominant force he used to be but he's going out on a high.

The main difference between tonight and previous matches of the last few years is that England had a half-back with a kicking game - nothing flash, just simple, well executed kicks on the 5th tackle. How the hell any of our previous international coach thought we could compete at international level without a kicking game beggars belief and I this year the penny has dropped for MacNamara by picking SL's most intelligent player, Sinfield who can utilise his decision making skills and game sense to make the right kicks at the right time.

As for next week, if the team can stay patient and composed against the Aussies to the point where they're not on the wrong side of the penalty count and have a completion rate of say 75/80% then I personally don't think the Aussie forwards will stand up to the onslaught down the middle because they don't have the physical strength of the kiwis.

That said Aussie's backs seem to come up with something when it's needed even if their forwards are getting beat, but I think this time round, our backs are better equiped to neutralise them and I think the English lads really fancy their chances.

Can't wait till next week!!!

IF we can keep our defence organised out wide and not rush out or leave their winger unmarked then I think we have a chance of staying in the game - with a bit of luck and good discipline from the team.

I'm a great admirer of Sinfields domestic game where he looks to be one of the best players in the world, however, I'm a big critic of his selection at international level where he's failed to impose him self.

In yesterday's game V NZ he was superb for the majority of the game and his kicking game was pinpoint. Apart from two or three passes at the line where the receiver had no chance of holding onto the ball (hospital passes) he had an excellent match.

Credit where it's due!

Agreed, second only to Roby last night for me, must have made around 30 tackles too, the Kiwi forwards were clearly targetting him. Shows they think he's a threat.

Id like to give Kirk Yeaman a mention. I read a few comments that he was out of his depth last week but he had a great game last night. Hes probably not quite good enough for this level and who knows next week might be the last time he plays for his country if the likes of Watkins improve as we hope next year. However you wont find a more commited player anywhere than Yeaman.

Nope, I think he is playing simply because he is in the NRL................and by the same logic we are benching the 8th best (IIRC) player in the NRL. Crazy. Sinfield to 13, Widdop to 6, would have been what I would have done.
Should we change it now though? Maybe not.

No don't change it now but certainly bring him on before the 76th minute