Clan do you not think robinson had a poor kicking game in the second half?

NZ Maori Vs England , Sounds like it was organised by rascists.

I've always said it, Shenton is overrated.

Brown was very poor and as I feared was out of his depth. Shenton is a player that does not impress me one bit. He is a big fish in a small pond at Cas and will be found out at Saints. Gleeson has been a far better player this season and our right side would have been much stronger if he had been selected. Hall should never have been picked in the first place for this game as he has been poor this season, as he was again in this game, and Goulding should take his place. Widdop just doesnt look ready at this level and imo his lack of top flight Rugby shows.

The worst aspect for me was the fact that this New Zealand Maori team was quite poor and we should have won easily, especially after having the bulk of territory and possession in the first half and winning 18-0 at half time. Our forwards which is supposedly our strong point should have completely dominated and didnt. I dont think jet lag is a factor either to simply explain that 2nd half, Australia and New Zealand come to England time and time again and never collapse in that way. The way we collapsed was reminiscent of the final last year when we were fantastic for 60 mins then got battered in the last 20 mins when we were dead on our feet. We should be stronger next week but there is an awful long way to go to match NZ and Australia.

I thought Widdop has a good game today when he playing full back

Same thoughts as you about Atkins. haven't watched him week in and out but in the games i have seen him, he seemed to be coming on well. However, after todays game he looks like a proper thicko. Took his try well but he'll get mashed against the Aussies and Kiwis if he doesn't get his positioning right.

You realise that we played with a prop interchange down for practically the entire game, right? And that we spent the majority of the second half defending?

The fact you said that made me stop reading, how could you say that? He was completely firm under the high balls, he was completely solid playing at FB, he can't do the support play yet, he doesn't know how each player does it, this is his first competitive game with any of these players, give the lad a chance.

Bet you weren't so smug at half time. I'm not saying this just because I took England. Thats my 10 quid beer money for Monday gone.

And your point is or do you think this somehow justifies it?

I thought our forwards were pretty poor. The Maori's looked a little smaller in the pack but had no fear from our forwards as the game went on. Crabtree put in a good hit after 75mins he needs to do this in his first spell. He needs to run with far more aggression.

The 2nd row worked hard but dropped a lot of ball.

Widdop played well and the centres were ok, Hall looked a bit slow when having to quickly turn and chase back, bt good in the air.

Roby played well and Robinson made some good runs. Brown was a bit annoymous but worth another go I think.

Doesn't look good though to me....

So a full back who cant do support play is ready for international RL?



He wasnt completely anything.I take it you are from the school of thought that he is a reserve player for a NRL club so he must be a world beater. I much prefer to judge a player on what I see and to me he doesnt look ready and doesnt yet look good enough. Tomkins has been twice the player at full back for Wigan this season.

I will give the lad a chance and it is not like I was calling for his head or anything. However he is playing in an international and I will judge him as any other player. He should not get any leeway just because McNamara has decided to pick him in an international match after 3 first grade games. It is also not his first competitive game with these players as he played against France in largely the same England team