It's nothing to do with him playing for Ireland last year, otherwise he wouldn't have been in the squad. It's because Smith obviously feels there are guys in the train-on squad more deserving.

Then we should play bridge there or another player who hasnt played fullback before. sykes is only borderline sl sqaud player qaulity, certainly not international qaulity.

Fair enough. Ill edit my team. Tickle for Harrison.

Why Ben Westwood?

Outside Cheshire we hear sweet fa about him throughout the season yet for some reason only known to his club coach Mr Smith, he's a regular England pick come the internationals.

How Tony Smith can warrant picking 4 players from his own club (who contributed to the heady position of 10th in SL) is beyond me. How closely did he watch players from teams that did do well last season?

Only good point is that he has stopped the Rhinos/Saints obsession of the last World Cup.

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5787066197 smith seems to be saying englands only chance is rain

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5787066197 smith seems to be saying englands only chance is rain

Tony Smith must be massively inspirational as a coach to work under. What happens when it doesnt sleet or snow (does it ever in November?), the England team knows thier coach doesnt think they have a chance.

So Tony Smith has the same opinion as almost everyone on this forum.
I can say we'll get smashed and 99% of posters will agree. Smith says something far less negative in that we don't have the backline power to match the Kangaroos' and people are on his back.
Have a think, please.

Tony Smith may believe one thing - and it would be true. But surely as a coach he should motivate and inspire his players into believing that they can achieve more than their meagre talents would normally give them.

I understand what you're saying and I agree to a point. You could look at it like this. Smith doesn't want his players under any illusions. We went into the World Cup with many fans and players thinking we could win the thing. It may sound impossible now, but it's true. Have a look through some of the threads from the end of last year. At the time I thought the optimism and England propaganda was going to come back and bite us in the backside... and boy did it.

Or maybe the lads will realise that this will be their biggest test, and that if we are to even compete each one will have to play not only his best rugby, but play it with his balls out and heart on his sleeve.

Maybe his motivation is for them to prove him wrong?

There isn't just one way to inspire and motivate players.

Anyone else think, as its an Aussie paper 'n' all, that by saying this the Aussies may sit back and think the jobs already done?

I know we had a shocking World Cup last year but we were a bounce of the ball away from beating the Kiwi's in the Semi and look what they did in the final.

Skillful and awesoe they may be but they cant do anything if we close them down and shut them out of the game.

Quote: Hollywood Harrigan "Anyone else think, as its an Aussie paper 'n' all, that by saying this the Aussies may sit back and think the jobs already done? I know we had a shocking World Cup last year but we were a bounce of the ball away from beating the Kiwi's in the Semi and look what they did in the final. Skillful and awesoe they may be but they cant do anything if we close them down and shut them out of the game.'" Even Tony the pom has said that England have got nothing that comes close to the Aussie backline au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl/news/art ... os-nations au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl/news/art ... able-smith

Quote: Hollywood Harrigan "Anyone else think, as its an Aussie paper 'n' all, that by saying this the Aussies may sit back and think the jobs already done? I know we had a shocking World Cup last year but we were a bounce of the ball away from beating the Kiwi's in the Semi and look what they did in the final. Skillful and awesoe they may be but they cant do anything if we close them down and shut them out of the game.'" Even Tony the pom has said that England have got nothing that comes close to the Aussie backline au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl/news/art ... os-nations au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl/news/art ... able-smith